On: Ask HN: Which recent research paper blew your mind...

[ranprieur]

Placebo Effect Grows in U.S., Thwarting Development of Painkillers

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/placebo-effect-gr...

The most interesting thing is that "placebo responses are rising only in the United States."

[1letterunixname → ranprieur]

I wonder if there is any correlation with either political or socio-political volatility, e.g., bread and circuses, conspiracy theories, cults, political dysfunction, and an inability to double-blind test painkillers.

[rsolva → 1letterunixname]

Sounds plausible. Would be interesting if we found a way to measure it on a large scale and track it over time. A National Beliefe Index of sorts.