When it was time for the COVID-19 shot, many people were told they might feel a quick pinch. And after the shot, health workers often talked about possible side effects.
For instance, one person was told to expect arm pain or flu-like symptoms 12 hours later. And just like predicted, those symptoms showed up right on time.
When Helpful Warnings Trigger the Nocebo Effect
Interestingly, the warnings given by health professionals could have made these side effects worse. This isn’t because doctors and nurses want to cause harm. They aim to keep patients well-informed. Yet, their words might make a hidden psychological trick, known as the “nocebo effect,” work even stronger.
The nocebo effect is the opposite of the placebo effect. If the placebo effect makes us feel better because we expect to, the nocebo effect means we feel worse because that’s what we’re expecting.
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