Eric Mead: The magic of the placebo

http://www.ted.com Sugar pills, injections of nothing -- studies show that, more often than you'd expect, placebos really work. At TEDMED, magician Eric Mead does a trick to prove that, even when you know something's not real, you can still react as powerfully as if it is. (Warning: This talk is not suitable for viewers who are disturbed by needles or blood.)

TEDTalks is a daily video podcast of the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world's leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes. Featured speakers have included Al Gore on climate change, Philippe Starck on design, Jill Bolte Taylor on observing her own stroke, Nicholas Negroponte on One Laptop per Child, Jane Goodall on chimpanzees, Bill Gates on malaria and mosquitoes, Pattie Maes on the "Sixth Sense" wearable tech, and "Lost" producer JJ Abrams on the allure of mystery. TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design, and TEDTalks cover these topics as well as science, business, development and the arts. Closed captions and translated subtitles in a variety of languages are now available on TED.com, at http://www.ted.com/translate. Watch a highlight reel of the Top 10 TEDTalks at http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/top10

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Eric
• Mead
• TEDTalks
• TED
• talks
• TEDMED
• medicine
• health
• placebo
• effect
• magic
• illusion
• trick
• needle
• syringe
• injection

[Twiztedshot]

REMINDS ME OF SETH MCFARLANE

[drapz77]

@BroadcastPast yes the fake blood is in the bulb he squeezes.

[CrannBethadh]

The top 10 link is a fail

[CymroGoch]

@thedisbatcher It's interesting you brought that up, as it's actually a very popular topic at the minute. Lots of people are doing research into seeing if there is such a thing as 'real' medicine and whether or not it is in fact all placebo effect.

[pencrazypal]

@thedisbatcher Since it it biochemical, it will have an effect. However, mentality in treatment is proven to make a difference in some sort of treatment. I am no expert, but I am guessing that beeing aware of something that is in your system and not wanting it may cause your body to react.

[eahazell]

@samiccino feel good that you exposed it? Of course because it can be done for real with no trickery..well that may leave the possibility that he is one of those guys who really does shove a needle through his arm..just look at the art of hook suspension. Rubber cement won't allow full body weight suspension.

[thedisbatcher]

what about the opposite effect? if you take real medicine but are told it is a placebo and wont work, will your body not react to it?

[aquamus]

This guy has a really good point, but he is kinda badly prepared; referring to graphs without showing them, etc.

[pyr666]

i know its a trick intelectually. but by odin's beard, STOP MOVING IT >,<

[TheBlackmentos94]

@victorjulio15 Aww...my teachers in school showed us videos from TED and ever since we're all hooked!