SIO510: Digging Into the Science of the Placebo Effect

About this episode

The episode explores the science behind the placebo effect and its implications in research and medicine.

Popular media will tell you that placebos, inert inactive substances taken as if they’re medication, can work miracles. …Placebos don’t “work”. But what does that even mean? And if that’s true, why would we include a placebo group in a study? Is there anything remotely like a “true”’placebo effect, where belief in a medication could influence the body? Jenessa walks us through scientific study design, statistical artifacts, and one study that shows maybe just maybe there’s a little something like an actual placebo “effect”… but it’s still not magic! Tune in to hear how on earth that could be possible. Nolan, T.A., Price, D.D., Caudle, R., Murphy, N.P., & Neubert, J.K. (2012). Placebo-induced analgesia in an operant pain model in rats . Pain, 153, 2009-2016. Brissonnet, J. (2015). Placebo, are you there? Science Based Medicine. Studeman, D. (2007). But I regress… The Hardball Times. McCambridge, J., de Bruin, M., & Witton, J. (2012). The effect of demand characteristics on research participant behaviours in non-laboratory settings: A systematic review. PLoS One, 7. Are you an expert in something and want to be on the show? Apply here !

People in this episode

Guest: Jenessa

Topics covered

• placebo effect
• scientific study design
• pain management
• belief and medicine
• statistical artifacts

Keywords

• placebo
• effect
• science
• study design
• pain
• belief
• medicine

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Placebo-induced analgesia in an operant pain model in rats, Placebo, are you there?, But I regress…, The effect of demand characteristics on research participant behaviours in non-laboratory settings: A systematic review

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