# 465. The psychology of the placebo effect

An episode of [The Psychology of your 20s](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1573710078), 4 Oct 2026, 33 min.

Audio: https://pdrl.fm/f842d9/podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/traffic.omny.fm/d/clips/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/bc44988a-a82a-4291-ab8b-afdd01187fa8/dacb9ee9-cb3f-4d53-b50f-b4d900b177d0/audio.mp3?utm_source=Podcast&in_playlist=39e2f432-53df-43b8-a7b9-afdd01187fc4

In this bonus episode, we’re looking at the placebo effect - what it is, how it became an important part of medical research, and why an inactive treatment can sometimes produce genuine changes how we feel, and what this tells us about the relationship between the brain, body and experience of receiving care. The FULL Debunking Psychology playlist: HERE We explore: • How placebos became an important part of scientific research • Some of the earliest placebo experiments • Why our expectations can change the way we experience symptoms • Whether the placebo effect produces real, biological changes • Why the ritual of receiving care may itself influence how we feel • Whether placebo effects represent genuine, lasting change Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast Subscribe on Substack: @thepsychologyofyour20s For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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