Nocebo

Nocebo

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Nocebo is a term used in medicine and psychology to describe a negative psychosomatic phenomenon where negative expectations of the patient regarding a treatment cause the treatment to have a more negative effect than it otherwise would have. This is the opposite of the placebo effect, where positive expectations improve an outcome.

Etymology

The term "nocebo" (Latin for "I will harm") was coined by Walter Kennedy in 1961 to denote the negative counterpart of the beneficial placebo effect (Latin for "I will please").

Mechanism

The nocebo effect is a complex phenomenon that involves psychological and neurobiological mechanisms. It is thought to be mediated by negative expectations, anxiety, and a process called classical conditioning. The nocebo effect can be triggered by verbal suggestions of negative outcomes, observation of others experiencing negative outcomes, or negative past experiences.

Clinical implications

The nocebo effect has important implications in clinical practice. It can lead to the amplification of side effects, treatment non-adherence, and negative treatment outcomes. Therefore, healthcare providers should be aware of the nocebo effect and try to minimize its impact.

Research

Research on the nocebo effect has been conducted in various fields, including pain, neurology, oncology, and pharmacology. These studies have contributed to our understanding of the nocebo effect and its underlying mechanisms.

See also

• Placebo
• Psychosomatic medicine
• Medical ethics

References

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