The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
You dip your hands into my flesh
And say you won't reveal a scar
I must have faith in this procedure
It's a miracle-It's a wonder
A thousand hidden needles
In a thousand covered nerves
Stick pins in my receptacles
Look to your Voodoo doll-your mojo
Staying alive at five
For you to cure my ailments
Another soul is saved
With your bogus medications
What colour shall we have today?
Depends on how you feel I say
Consult your research on the media
See blue will calm my hysteria
Staying alive at five
For you to cure my ailments
Another soul is saved
With your bogus medications
Staying alive at five
With your empty containers
Another corpse ornaments your waiting room
Will you ever regret-the placebo effect
Can you ever forget-the placebo effect
And say you won't reveal a scar
I must have faith in this procedure
It's a miracle-It's a wonder
A thousand hidden needles
In a thousand covered nerves
Stick pins in my receptacles
Look to your Voodoo doll-your mojo
Staying alive at five
For you to cure my ailments
Another soul is saved
With your bogus medications
What colour shall we have today?
Depends on how you feel I say
Consult your research on the media
See blue will calm my hysteria
Staying alive at five
For you to cure my ailments
Another soul is saved
With your bogus medications
Staying alive at five
With your empty containers
Another corpse ornaments your waiting room
Will you ever regret-the placebo effect
Can you ever forget-the placebo effect
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I think it is about "alernative medicine" in particular. The first verse is about "psychic surgery" where phsycics claim to have fixed internal problems without even touching the patient. The second verse seems to be about acupuncture. The verse about colour is about new-age medicine - using colour to change mood, calm hysteria or anger etc. That's my take on it.