New episode: The Nocebo Effect – Placebo’s Evil Twin

The latest episode of our podcast series is out now. We explore how negative expectations can translate into genuine physical symptoms and the real-world consequences this has for patients.

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Most of us are familiar with the "power of positive thinking" via the placebo effect. However, there is a much less discussed phenomenon that is having a significant impact on our wellbeing: The Nocebo Effect.

In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Rebecca Webster, a lecturer in Health Psychology. She explains why the nocebo effect is often called "placebo’s evil twin" and how it manifests in real-world health outcomes.

We take a deep dive into her research on women’s health, specifically looking at how the nocebo effect influences the way many women experience the contraceptive pill. It’s a fascinating look at a relatively new area of psychology that affects us all more than we realise.

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