This Video Will Hurt: The Nocebo Effect

Introduction

• Hypersounds: High-pitched sounds inaudible to humans that can cause headaches.
• Example given with headphones but revealed to be a fictional experiment.

Nocebo Effect

• Definition: A harmless thing causing harm because it's believed to be harmful.
• Comparison with Voodoo: Nocebo effect is scientifically validated.

Medical Implications

• Drug Trials: Often include a nocebo group (fake pill).
  • Some subjects experience side effects from fake pills.
  • Misattribution and real measurable harm from belief.
• Withdrawal Symptoms: Subjects report withdrawal symptoms from non-addictive fake pills.

Real Experiments and Findings

• Rashes: Belief in a rash from an injection can cause a real rash.
• Pain: Belief in increased pain from an injection results in actual increased pain.
  • A nocebo-blocking drug can prevent this effect.
• Mass Psychogenic Illness: Symptoms spread mind to mind without physical cause.
  • Example: Tennessee high school incident.

Spread of Nocebos in Media

• Electrosensitivity: Symptoms tracked more with belief rather than actual exposure.
  • Example: Fake WiFi signals affecting those expecting harm.
• Wind Farm Disease: Symptoms appear where reported in local news.

Important Points

• Nocebo effect is real and scientifically measurable.
• Beliefs about harmfulness can cause real harm.
• Certain illnesses and symptoms can spread through belief and media influence.

Ethical Considerations

• Difficulty in conducting nocebo experiments due to ethical concerns.
• Importance of separating real medical conditions from nocebo effects.

Conclusion

• Belief can turn harmless things harmful.
• The power of the mind and media in spreading and reinforcing nocebo effects.