Behind the power of placebo: Andrea Evers on ‘De wereld van Sofie’ Radio 1 Belgium

 

What are the mechanisms behind the placebo effect? How can positive expectations lead to reduced pain? And why is the placebo effect so powerful?

Placebo effects are widespread, influencing not only pain but also the immune system and various other physiological responses. In a broadcast of ‘De wereld van Sofie’ on Radio 1 Belgium, Professor Andrea Evers sheds light on the complexities of the placebo effect. She explains how expectations, context, and communication play crucial roles in shaping placebo responses, illustrating that the effect is far more complex than the well-known concept of the "sugar pill".

In addition to the placebo effect, Andrea discusses the nocebo effect, an opposite mechanism of the placebo effect, where negative expectations lead to adverse outcomes. She also highlights the scientific relevance of placebo surgeries, where no real intervention is performed, yet patients often report significant outcomes.

The Center for Interdisciplinary Placebo Studies Leiden (IPS) is dedicated to advancing the understanding of both placebo and nocebo effects, exploring their underlying mechanisms and potential applications in clinical practice through interdisciplinary research.

Listen to the full broadcast including the interview with Andrea Evers (in Dutch) here.