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

Listen to more Technology Networks podcasts here.

Subscribe to Opinionated Science at your favorite podcast platform:

Listen here on Spotify.

Listen here on Apple Podcasts.

Meet the Authors

Ruairi J Mackenzie

RJ is a freelance science writer based in Glasgow. He covers biological and biomedical science, with a focus on the complexities and curiosities of the brain and emerging AI technologies. RJ was a science writer at Technology Networks for six years. RJ has a Master’s degree in Clinical Neurosciences from the University of Cambridge.

Tiffany Quinn

After obtaining a bachelor in neuroscience from the University of Leeds, Tiffany joined Technology Networks to pursue a career in science communication as a custom content producer and manager. She has helped grow the company’s custom content services through creating high-quality and engaging content for client’s target audiences. Tiffany left TN in 2023 to pursue other career goals.