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The Pill That Works Even When You Know It's Fake
Podcast: Plain English with Derek Thompson (LS 62 · TOP 0.1% what is this?)
Episode: The Pill That Works Even When You Know It's Fake
Pub date: 2026-03-13
Get Podcast Transcript →
powered by Listen411 - fast audio-to-text and summarization
Episode: The Pill That Works Even When You Know It's Fake
Pub date: 2026-03-13
Get Podcast Transcript →
powered by Listen411 - fast audio-to-text and summarization
Why do placebo effects work, even when patients know that they're taking a sugar pill? How do "nocebo" effects work, and why do some people hold onto beliefs that they suspect might bring them pain and suffering? What do the major world religions have to teach secular athletes and workers about the power of belief, and what does the psychological research tell us about the benefits of prayer, even for those who don't believe in God? Nir Eyal, bestselling author of the new book Beyond Belief, joins the show to talk about the research behind how our beliefs shape our lives.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@PlainEnglishwithDerekThompson
If you have questions, observations, or ideas for future episodes, email us at [email protected].
Host: Derek Thompson
Guest: Nir Eyal
Producer: Devon Baroldi
Today’s open is adapted from Derek’s Substack essay “If Placebos Work So Well, Why Not Prescribe Sugar Pills For Everything?”
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from The Ringer, which is the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Listen Notes, Inc.
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By Paul Barnes / Listen NotesPodcast: Plain English with Derek Thompson (LS 62 · TOP 0.1% what is this?)
Episode: The Pill That Works Even When You Know It's Fake
Pub date: 2026-03-13
Get Podcast Transcript →
powered by Listen411 - fast audio-to-text and summarization
Episode: The Pill That Works Even When You Know It's Fake
Pub date: 2026-03-13
Get Podcast Transcript →
powered by Listen411 - fast audio-to-text and summarization
Why do placebo effects work, even when patients know that they're taking a sugar pill? How do "nocebo" effects work, and why do some people hold onto beliefs that they suspect might bring them pain and suffering? What do the major world religions have to teach secular athletes and workers about the power of belief, and what does the psychological research tell us about the benefits of prayer, even for those who don't believe in God? Nir Eyal, bestselling author of the new book Beyond Belief, joins the show to talk about the research behind how our beliefs shape our lives.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@PlainEnglishwithDerekThompson
If you have questions, observations, or ideas for future episodes, email us at [email protected].
Host: Derek Thompson
Guest: Nir Eyal
Producer: Devon Baroldi
Today’s open is adapted from Derek’s Substack essay “If Placebos Work So Well, Why Not Prescribe Sugar Pills For Everything?”
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from The Ringer, which is the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Listen Notes, Inc.