THE NOCEBO PHENOMENON - CONCEPT, EVIDENCE, AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC-HEALTH - REVIEW

The nocebo hypothesis proposes that expectations of sickness and the a ffective states associated with such expectations cause sickness in th e expectant. The nocebo phenomenon is a little-recognized facet of cul ture that may be responsible for a substantial variety of pathology th roughout the world. However, the extent of the phenomenon is not yet k nown, and evidence is piecemeal and ambiguous. This paper reviews the concept of nocebo and its association with the placebo phenomenon, giv es examples of evidence for the nocebo phenomenon, and suggests public health implications.