Skip to content
Quillette

The Placebo Effect’s Evil Twin

The Nocebo Effect occurs when we experience pain, depression, or illness based on nothing more than negative expectations.

Michael H. Bernstein
Michael H. Bernstein
· 8 min read
The Placebo Effect’s Evil Twin
A practitioner of mesmerism using animal magnetism on a woman who responds with convulsions. Edited version of a wood engraving by Franz Anton Mesmer, 1734-1815.
Keep Reading
See all articles →
Latest Podcast

From the Blog

Space: The Ultimate (Boardgaming) Frontier

A space shuttle flies past an asteroid, against a backdrop of stars, in an image from a video game.

Dr Mike Israetel, The Philosopher Bodybuilder: Quillette Cetera Episode 36

Head and shoulders photo of Mike Israetel, bald, stocky, smiling slightly, in a dark navy T-shirt

A Conversation with Lahav Harkov

Lahav Hakov, a woman in her thirties, with brown hair and a fringe, red lipstick and a magen david necklace, smiles at the p

A Conversation with Boaz Bismuth

Boaz wears round glasses, a suit and tie, and a yellow lapel ribbon. An Israeli flag hangs in the background
See more

Join the newsletter to receive the latest updates in your inbox.

Sponsored

On Instagram @quillette