The Jordan Harbinger Show 461: Erik Vance | The Curious Science of the Suggestible You
Jan 26, 2021
In this engaging conversation, Erik Vance, an award-winning science journalist and author of "Suggestible You," delves into the intriguing science behind the brain's ability to deceive and heal. He discusses how our minds can twist reality, revealing the mechanics of the placebo and nocebo effects. Vance shares a wild tale of paying a witch doctor for a curse and examines the phenomenon of false memories, including the 'Satanic Panic' of the 1980s. Discover how expectations shape our experiences and even influence pain perception.
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Vance's Christian Science Upbringing
- Jordan Harbinger and Erik Vance discuss Christian Science, the religion in which Vance grew up.
- Vance explains Christian Scientists believe matter isn't real, focusing on mental fixes.
Brain as Prediction Machine
- The brain's primary function is prediction, applying past experiences to present situations.
- A placebo flips expectations, and the brain sometimes changes reality instead of the expectation.
Types of Placebo Effects
- There are conscious and unconscious placebo effects.
- Unconscious placebos work automatically, while conscious ones involve storytelling and belief.
