For centuries, doctors have prescribed drugs they knew weren't real – but that still somehow worked. It wasn't until the 1980s that the placebo effect was studied. Learn all about how an inert substance can have a genuine impact on a patient's recovery, in this classic episode.
# Stuff You Should Know - Placebos Episode Summary
In this fascinating dive into the placebo effect, Josh and Chuck explore the real science behind why fake medicine actually works on our brains and bodies. From the surprising history of placebos dating back to the 1300s through cutting-edge neuroscience studies that show physical changes in the brain, the episode unpacks how ritual, expectation, and even the color of a pill can trigger genuine physiological responses. They also cover the flip side—the nocebo effect, where people experience side effects from inert pills—plus the ethical questions doctors face when prescribing placebos in real-world medicine.
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