1056: Placebo & Nocebo Effects | Skeptical Sunday

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Sep 29, 2024

Neuroscientist Dr. Helena Hartmann, an expert in placebo and nocebo effects, shares her insights on the intriguing power of expectations in healthcare. She explains how positive beliefs can enhance treatment outcomes while negative beliefs can cause harm. Hartmann highlights the significant role social media plays in shaping these perceptions and discusses the ethical dilemmas in clinical research. The conversation also reveals how psychology can create real physiological changes, making this a fascinating deep dive into the mind's impact on healing.

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ANECDOTE

Voodoo Nocebo

Jordan Harbinger describes how nocebo effects work by using voodoo and witch doctors as an example.
He explains that they often use generic symptoms and the power of suggestion to create the illusion of a curse.

ANECDOTE

Social Media Nocebo

Dr. Helena Hartmann explains how nocebo effects can be amplified through social media, citing a study on COVID-19 vaccinations.
Participants exposed to negative reports about side effects online experienced those side effects more frequently and intensely.

ANECDOTE

Altitude Sickness and Nocebo

Dr. Hartmann discusses a study about altitude sickness and the nocebo effect.
Hikers warned about altitude headaches experienced them more often, showing negative expectations' measurable physical effects.

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Can sugar pills heal or harm? Neuroscientist Dr. Helena Hartmann unravels the mysteries of placebo and nocebo effects on this Skeptical Sunday!

Welcome to Skeptical Sunday, a special edition of The Jordan Harbinger Show where Jordan and a guest break down a topic that you may have never thought about, open things up, and debunk common misconceptions. This time around, we’re joined by neuroscientist, psychologist, and science communicator Dr. Helena Hartmann of University Hospital Essen!

On This Week's Skeptical Sunday, We Discuss:

Placebo and nocebo effects are powerful psychological phenomena that can have a significant impact on health outcomes. Placebos can lead to positive effects, while nocebos can cause negative effects, even without any active medical ingredients.
Expectations play a crucial role in placebo and nocebo effects. Positive expectations can enhance treatment outcomes, while negative expectations can diminish or even reverse the effects of otherwise effective medications.
These effects are not just "in our heads" but involve complex psychoneurobiological processes. They can trigger real physiological changes in the brain and body, including the release of pain-relieving substances and alterations in pain transmission in the spinal cord.
Social and environmental factors, such as the price of medication, invasiveness of treatment, and information from others (including social media), can influence the strength of placebo and nocebo effects.
We can harness the power of placebo effects to improve medical treatments. By fostering positive expectations, healthcare providers can potentially enhance treatment efficacy, reduce required medication dosages, and minimize side effects. Patients can also benefit by maintaining an optimistic outlook and engaging in positive self-talk about their treatments.
Connect with Jordan on Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. If you have something you'd like us to tackle here on Skeptical Sunday, drop Jordan a line at jordan@jordanharbinger.com and let him know!
Connect with Dr. Helena Hartmann at her website, Twitter, or LinkedIn, check out her research here and here, and have a look at her Science and Fiction site where accessible scientific results and exciting fictional stories intersect!

Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/1056

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