Deena So Oteh
Centuries ago, witches and shamans would mutter curses with the intention of spreading illness. Today, certain social media feeds may serve the same purpose.
We aren’t talking about sharing dubious claims about quack treatments and fad diets, but rather information that exaggerates threats to our health. Through the power of suggestion, these posts can trigger real symptoms – ranging from Tourette’s-like tics to headaches, muscle pain, fainting fits and even cognitive impairment.
That negative expectations can influence our health is already well established – it is called the “nocebo effect” and there is increasing interest in how it can pass from…
