nocebo
Say it: noh-SEE-boh /nəʊˈsiːbəʊ/ · noun
What “nocebo” means
Harmful effects caused by expecting something bad.
More precisely: When negative expectations cause real harmful effects, such as side effects from a fake pill.
When to use it
In medical or psychological discussions, for real unpleasant effects linked to negative expectations about a treatment or experience.
Memory trick
Latin nocebo means I shall harm: remember the harmful effect of expecting trouble.
Similar words
negative placebo, negative expectation effect
Where it comes from
Latin, 'I shall harm', modelled on placebo.
Quick check
Someone expects a harmless scent to cause headaches, then develops one after smelling it. Which effect could explain this?
the placebo effect or the nocebo effect?
Show the answer
the nocebo effect
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