Nocebo effect: overcoming the power of negative expectations

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By Judith Ozkan

The shadowy nocebo effect can cause side effects, scupper adherence and harm prevention and recovery. But how does it work - and what can doctors do to stop it taking hold in the first place?

The nocebo effect – sometimes called the ‘evil twin’ of placebo – has been linked to a range of adverse health events in everyday clinical practice. The beneficial role that the placebo effect plays in improving patient outcomes has been well-documented, but the nocebo effect is less well understood.