Rumours on social media could cause sick people to feel worse

T HE PLACEBO effect is a well-known example of the brain’s power over the body, allowing people who are poorly or in pain to improve if they are led to believe they are being treated. The opposite, however, is also possible: patients who believe that procedures will cause them to suffer ill effects can make themselves worse.

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https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2025/03/19/rumours-on-social-media-could-cause-sick-people-to-feel-worse

A source: www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2025/03/19/rumours-on-social-media-could-cause-sick-people-to-feel-worse