Opinionated Science Episode 5: The Placebo Effect: Phantom Surgery, Alternative Medicine and the Big Bad Nocebo

Podcast

Published: May 22, 2020

Opinionated Science Episode 5: The Placebo Effect: Phantom Surgery, Alternative Medicine and the Big Bad Nocebo content piece image

Opinionated Science is Technology Networks’ homemade podcast, where our team of scientists-turned-journalists cut out the chewy jargon and serve up slices of the most fascinating stories from the world of science. Expect a new Opinionated Science every other Friday.

In this episode, the Technology Networks team investigate the placebo effect. Why have placebo treatments become more effective at treating patients in the last few decades (but only in the USA) and what do powerful placebos mean for clinical trials?

Read more from this podcast:

The Power of the Placebo Effect

Survey Finds 97% of GPs Prescribe Placebos

Placebo Surgery Trial

The Magnitude of Nocebo Effects in Pain

Placebo Effect Grows in U.S., Thwarting Development of Painkillers

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Meet the Authors

Ruairi J Mackenzie

Senior Science Writer

As senior science writer, Ruairi pens and edits scientific news, articles and features, with a focus on the complexities and curiosities of the brain and emerging informatics technologies. Ruairi also drives Technology Networks' search engine optimization (SEO) and editorial AI strategy and created the site’s podcast, Opinionated Science, in 2020. Ruairi has a Master’s degree in Clinical Neurosciences from the University of Cambridge.

Tiffany Quinn

Custom Content Manager

Tiffany oversees the creation of custom content at Technology Networks and their sister publication, Analytical Cannabis. She holds a bachelor’s degree in neuroscience from the University of Leeds.