Meaning, medicine, and the "placebo effect"
by Daniel E. Moerman · first published 2002
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3HN commenters
2009–2023first – last mentioned
67% recommend33% neutral
"Daniel E. Moerman presents a discussion of human reaction to the meaning of medical treatment. Many things happen in medicine that cannot be attributed to specific elements, such as drugs or surgical procedures. The same drug can work differently when presented in different colors; inert drugs (placebos, dummies) often have dramatic effects on people (the "placebo effect"); and effects can vary hugely among different European countries where the "same" medical condition is understood differently, or has different meanings, yielding different meaning responses. This lively book reviews and ana
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…very-alternative medicine running in that particular sub-culture. On the other hand, if you want a really mind-expanding read about the fuzzier edges of medicine, you might want to read Daniel Moerman's "Meaning, Medicine, and the 'Placebo Effect'." Don't let down your skeptical guard, but it's worth a read.
on “Is Empty Nose Syndrome Real? If Not, Why Are People Killing Themselves Over It” ↗…differently than it actually happened - he is an entertainer after all (his program about faith healing and religious beliefs was amusing). Your point about influence still stands of course. I found 'Meaning, Medicine and the Placebo Effect' to be rather good: http://cambridge.org/catalogue/catalogue.asp?isbn=0521000874
on “Placebos Are Getting More Effective. Drugmakers Are Desperate to Know Why.” ↗…being credulous helps a lot!! There is actually a literature on this, but it's adjacent to the medical journals: Daniel Moerman describes himself as a medical anthropologist. He wrote a book called “Meaning, medicine and the ‘placebo effect' “. https://www.amazon.com/Meaning-Medicine-Placebo-Cambridge-An...
on “Even when we know they’re “fake,” placebos can tame our emotional distress” ↗