Podcast, 28 mins
Nocebo Effect: Placebo’s Evil Twin
The majority of us have heard about the placebo effect and the impact it can have on the brain and body. But have you heard of the nocebo effect?
Part of That's Science!
14 Jan 2026 09:00
This episode we talk to Dr Rebecca Webster about her research on the nocebo effect, a relatively new area of psychology research, and the impact that it is having on our health - particularly women's health and the relationship many women have with the contraceptive pill. We look at the factors that can cause it, the difficulties in researching this area and what might come next in the field.
Dr Rebecca Webster is a lecturer in the School of Psychology whose research is in Health Psychology.
Credits
- Host: Tabby Taylor Buck (Freelance Content Creator)
- Guest: Dr Rebecca Webster (Lecturer in Psychology at the University of Sheffield)
- Podcast and Video Editor: Sophie Cowell (Freelance Content Creator)
- Background Image: ‘Kepler Planet 1649c Artist's Illustration From Space NASA ID: PIA2368’ NASA
- Produced by: Shaun Oliver (Marketing and Communications Manager at the University of Sheffield)
- Produced by: Tabby Taylor Buck (Content Creator at Imperial College London)
- Support from: David Heath (Digital Engagement Officer at the University of Sheffield)
