well thank you for welcoming me to this meeting – placebos anonymous you look
meeting – placebos anonymous you look
meeting – placebos anonymous you look like a real audience you really do you
like a real audience you really do you
like a real audience you really do you look like a real genuine audience
look like a real genuine audience
look like a real genuine audience unlike the cardboard cutouts basically
unlike the cardboard cutouts basically
unlike the cardboard cutouts basically making the mock spectators in the
making the mock spectators in the
making the mock spectators in the cartoon behind me so I should probably
cartoon behind me so I should probably
cartoon behind me so I should probably introduce myself in the vernacular and
introduce myself in the vernacular and
introduce myself in the vernacular and template that is reserved for these kind
template that is reserved for these kind
template that is reserved for these kind of meetings let me do it hi my name is
of meetings let me do it hi my name is
of meetings let me do it hi my name is dr. Roz and I am addicted to placebos
dr. Roz and I am addicted to placebos
dr. Roz and I am addicted to placebos yes I kid you not I really am I
yes I kid you not I really am I
yes I kid you not I really am I systematically study placebos I read and
systematically study placebos I read and
systematically study placebos I read and write about them I experiment with them
write about them I experiment with them
write about them I experiment with them I take them on occasion and I even think
I take them on occasion and I even think
I take them on occasion and I even think that I know a little bit about them
that I know a little bit about them
that I know a little bit about them there you have it in a way I’m a placebo
there you have it in a way I’m a placebo
there you have it in a way I’m a placebo scientist if you’d like to think about
scientist if you’d like to think about
scientist if you’d like to think about it that way now the crux of what I’m
it that way now the crux of what I’m
it that way now the crux of what I’m about to tell you is that you – if
about to tell you is that you – if
about to tell you is that you – if you’re human that is
you’re human that is
you’re human that is foster a strong predilection for placebo
foster a strong predilection for placebo
foster a strong predilection for placebo effects and placebo responses you need
effects and placebo responses you need
effects and placebo responses you need not be feeble-minded gullible uneducated
not be feeble-minded gullible uneducated
not be feeble-minded gullible uneducated not at all you need not be a fan of Star
not at all you need not be a fan of Star
not at all you need not be a fan of Star Trek you don’t need to be deeply in love
Trek you don’t need to be deeply in love
Trek you don’t need to be deeply in love by virtue of being a member of our
by virtue of being a member of our
by virtue of being a member of our species
species
species if you imbue them with meaning placebos
if you imbue them with meaning placebos
if you imbue them with meaning placebos will move you even better than that for
will move you even better than that for
will move you even better than that for some of you in certain situations
some of you in certain situations
some of you in certain situations placebos will actually rock you they
placebos will actually rock you they
placebos will actually rock you they will and what better place than Montreal
will and what better place than Montreal
will and what better place than Montreal to talk about these mind-body
to talk about these mind-body
to talk about these mind-body interactions because here unlike many
interactions because here unlike many
interactions because here unlike many other places you can walk up to many
other places you can walk up to many
other places you can walk up to many a pharmacy and for a very reasonable
a pharmacy and for a very reasonable
a pharmacy and for a very reasonable price you guessed it get your own
price you guessed it get your own
price you guessed it get your own personal stash of pharmaceutical e
personal stash of pharmaceutical e
personal stash of pharmaceutical e engineered kosher placebo tablets and
engineered kosher placebo tablets and
engineered kosher placebo tablets and Montreal placebos are crazy in the sense
Montreal placebos are crazy in the sense
Montreal placebos are crazy in the sense that they work equally well in English
that they work equally well in English
that they work equally well in English and in French but we’re not going to be
and in French but we’re not going to be
and in French but we’re not going to be talking here about sugar pills or about
talking here about sugar pills or about
talking here about sugar pills or about saline injections not at all we’re much
saline injections not at all we’re much
saline injections not at all we’re much more high-minded than that as a matter
more high-minded than that as a matter
more high-minded than that as a matter of fact we’re so high minded we’re going
of fact we’re so high minded we’re going
of fact we’re so high minded we’re going to be talking about top-down processing
to be talking about top-down processing
to be talking about top-down processing we’re going to be talking about top-down
we’re going to be talking about top-down
we’re going to be talking about top-down phenomena we’re going to be talking
phenomena we’re going to be talking
phenomena we’re going to be talking about top-down control top-down
about top-down control top-down
about top-down control top-down regulation what does it mean it starts
regulation what does it mean it starts
regulation what does it mean it starts with what bruise between your ears your
with what bruise between your ears your
with what bruise between your ears your thoughts your expectations your ideas
thoughts your expectations your ideas
thoughts your expectations your ideas your reflections it all marinates into
your reflections it all marinates into
your reflections it all marinates into this complex soup that then trickles
this complex soup that then trickles
this complex soup that then trickles cascades downstream to influence mold
cascades downstream to influence mold
cascades downstream to influence mold and shape physiological systems at a
and shape physiological systems at a
and shape physiological systems at a lower tier confused yet
lower tier confused yet
lower tier confused yet don’t be let me give you an example of
don’t be let me give you an example of
don’t be let me give you an example of what a top-down process is if I asked
what a top-down process is if I asked
what a top-down process is if I asked you to pay attention to the way that you
you to pay attention to the way that you
you to pay attention to the way that you blink will I continue to talk okay even
blink will I continue to talk okay even
blink will I continue to talk okay even if I asked you to continue blinking in
if I asked you to continue blinking in
if I asked you to continue blinking in the same way that you had blinked before
the same way that you had blinked before
the same way that you had blinked before neither more nor less then you had
neither more nor less then you had
neither more nor less then you had blinked usually weird things are gonna
blinked usually weird things are gonna
blinked usually weird things are gonna start happening can you feel it
start happening can you feel it
start happening can you feel it frankly you would draw a blank blink as
frankly you would draw a blank blink as
frankly you would draw a blank blink as though I get a Blanc before I made this
though I get a Blanc before I made this
though I get a Blanc before I made this request but an automatic process that
request but an automatic process that
request but an automatic process that effortlessly keeps your eye moist and
effortlessly keeps your eye moist and
effortlessly keeps your eye moist and clean and ready to see turns into a
clean and ready to see turns into a
clean and ready to see turns into a toilet full semi voluntary experience
toilet full semi voluntary experience
toilet full semi voluntary experience why because of my request I think you’re
why because of my request I think you’re
why because of my request I think you’re beginning to understand what I mean when
beginning to understand what I mean when
beginning to understand what I mean when I say top-down and placebos are but one
I say top-down and placebos are but one
I say top-down and placebos are but one example of a top-down process now
example of a top-down process now
example of a top-down process now sometimes we infuse a healthy bit of
sometimes we infuse a healthy bit of
sometimes we infuse a healthy bit of parenting deception
parenting deception
parenting deception in cue our top-down innuendo let me give
in cue our top-down innuendo let me give
in cue our top-down innuendo let me give you an example when I taught my oldest
you an example when I taught my oldest
you an example when I taught my oldest son how to ride his bicycle I would do
son how to ride his bicycle I would do
son how to ride his bicycle I would do what a lot of parents do I I would grab
what a lot of parents do I I would grab
what a lot of parents do I I would grab the backseat and I would sort of you
the backseat and I would sort of you
the backseat and I would sort of you know run with him making sure that he’s
know run with him making sure that he’s
know run with him making sure that he’s all right as he got better I would
all right as he got better I would
all right as he got better I would sometimes let go just to see how he’s
sometimes let go just to see how he’s
sometimes let go just to see how he’s doing and I would grab it again and I
doing and I would grab it again and I
doing and I would grab it again and I would do it and at the end it was my
would do it and at the end it was my
would do it and at the end it was my running presence not my dropping hand
running presence not my dropping hand
running presence not my dropping hand that was actually doing the trick he was
that was actually doing the trick he was
that was actually doing the trick he was riding on his own unbeknownst to him I
riding on his own unbeknownst to him I
riding on his own unbeknownst to him I was not holding now this kind of
was not holding now this kind of
was not holding now this kind of parental deception or educational
parental deception or educational
parental deception or educational deception I think most of us would agree
deception I think most of us would agree
deception I think most of us would agree is okay if not downright justifiable
is okay if not downright justifiable
is okay if not downright justifiable it’s certainly very acceptable
it’s certainly very acceptable
it’s certainly very acceptable how about parental deception when it
how about parental deception when it
how about parental deception when it comes to medical issues we’ll see that’s
comes to medical issues we’ll see that’s
comes to medical issues we’ll see that’s where things become a little bit more
where things become a little bit more
where things become a little bit more objectionable don’t they well the other
objectionable don’t they well the other
objectionable don’t they well the other night for example my elementary school
night for example my elementary school
night for example my elementary school daughter complained about a tummy ache
daughter complained about a tummy ache
daughter complained about a tummy ache and without thinking about it too much I
and without thinking about it too much I
and without thinking about it too much I reached for one of those in different
reached for one of those in different
reached for one of those in different moisturizer I have around the house and
moisturizer I have around the house and
moisturizer I have around the house and I started rubbing it around her belly
I started rubbing it around her belly
I started rubbing it around her belly saying you know all kinds of things in
saying you know all kinds of things in
saying you know all kinds of things in theory here listen sweetie this stuff is
theory here listen sweetie this stuff is
theory here listen sweetie this stuff is very strong it comes straight from
very strong it comes straight from
very strong it comes straight from Switzerland it’s going to make you feel
Switzerland it’s going to make you feel
Switzerland it’s going to make you feel better before you know it it worked like
better before you know it it worked like
better before you know it it worked like magic it really did but I felt a little
magic it really did but I felt a little
magic it really did but I felt a little bit uncomfortable why because we have
bit uncomfortable why because we have
bit uncomfortable why because we have very strong feelings about lying not
very strong feelings about lying not
very strong feelings about lying not just to our children and certainly
just to our children and certainly
just to our children and certainly certainly we have some reservations
certainly we have some reservations
certainly we have some reservations about mixing deception with medicine
about mixing deception with medicine
about mixing deception with medicine right now deception is very tricky and I
right now deception is very tricky and I
right now deception is very tricky and I think we agree that deception is a
think we agree that deception is a
think we agree that deception is a general currency is probably a bad form
general currency is probably a bad form
general currency is probably a bad form but I am a former magician I’m a former
but I am a former magician I’m a former
but I am a former magician I’m a former conjurer a trickster an actor who is
conjurer a trickster an actor who is
conjurer a trickster an actor who is playing the role of a wizard an artist
playing the role of a wizard an artist
playing the role of a wizard an artist and in time I’m going to show you some
and in time I’m going to show you some
and in time I’m going to show you some interesting things about deception
interesting things about deception
interesting things about deception particularly I’m here to tell you that
particularly I’m here to tell you that
particularly I’m here to tell you that not all deception is bad for you as a
not all deception is bad for you as a
not all deception is bad for you as a matter of fact sometimes a little bit of
matter of fact sometimes a little bit of
matter of fact sometimes a little bit of dishonesty is good for you
dishonesty is good for you
dishonesty is good for you let me talk to you a little bit about
let me talk to you a little bit about
let me talk to you a little bit about hypnosis hypnosis is something that I’ve
hypnosis hypnosis is something that I’ve
hypnosis hypnosis is something that I’ve been using in my lab for several decades
been using in my lab for several decades
been using in my lab for several decades now and in hypnosis we refer to a
now and in hypnosis we refer to a
now and in hypnosis we refer to a process that is called a non deceptive
process that is called a non deceptive
process that is called a non deceptive placebo why is it non deceptive because
placebo why is it non deceptive because
placebo why is it non deceptive because in most typical hypnosis experiences
in most typical hypnosis experiences
in most typical hypnosis experiences people come into the lab you tell them
people come into the lab you tell them
people come into the lab you tell them that there’s a helium balloon attached
that there’s a helium balloon attached
that there’s a helium balloon attached to their wrist of course there isn’t but
to their wrist of course there isn’t but
to their wrist of course there isn’t but you tell them that there is and as the
you tell them that there is and as the
you tell them that there is and as the result their hand begins to levitate and
result their hand begins to levitate and
result their hand begins to levitate and elevate and do all kinds of things and
elevate and do all kinds of things and
elevate and do all kinds of things and they’re under the impression that this
they’re under the impression that this
they’re under the impression that this elevation is happening because of the
elevation is happening because of the
elevation is happening because of the human balloon that isn’t there but they
human balloon that isn’t there but they
human balloon that isn’t there but they know that it isn’t there there’s
know that it isn’t there there’s
know that it isn’t there there’s something weird about this situation but
something weird about this situation but
something weird about this situation but it’s not deceptive because in hypnosis
it’s not deceptive because in hypnosis
it’s not deceptive because in hypnosis there is suspension of disbelief pretty
there is suspension of disbelief pretty
there is suspension of disbelief pretty soon I’m going to show you how I study
soon I’m going to show you how I study
soon I’m going to show you how I study these kind of experiments this kind of
these kind of experiments this kind of
these kind of experiments this kind of top-down control in my lab I’m going to
top-down control in my lab I’m going to
top-down control in my lab I’m going to show you in a minute
show you in a minute
show you in a minute a visual paradigm that is going to
a visual paradigm that is going to
a visual paradigm that is going to involve lines that are going to be
involve lines that are going to be
involve lines that are going to be dancing around in this case we’re going
dancing around in this case we’re going
dancing around in this case we’re going to use four lines only these lines are
to use four lines only these lines are
to use four lines only these lines are going to be dancing around and it’s
going to be dancing around and it’s
going to be dancing around and it’s going to be difficult for you to tell
going to be difficult for you to tell
going to be difficult for you to tell what geometric shape they make it’s
what geometric shape they make it’s
what geometric shape they make it’s going to be difficult for you to tell
going to be difficult for you to tell
going to be difficult for you to tell until I introduce these occluders these
until I introduce these occluders these
until I introduce these occluders these kind of masks that are going to cover
kind of masks that are going to cover
kind of masks that are going to cover the corners once I introduce the corners
the corners once I introduce the corners
the corners once I introduce the corners it’s going to be very easy for you to
it’s going to be very easy for you to
it’s going to be very easy for you to see the shape and whether it’s going
see the shape and whether it’s going
see the shape and whether it’s going counterclockwise or clockwise I mean
counterclockwise or clockwise I mean
counterclockwise or clockwise I mean depending on the shape now I’m going to
depending on the shape now I’m going to
depending on the shape now I’m going to play it for you so you can actually see
play it for you so you can actually see
play it for you so you can actually see it and as you can see with the lines
it and as you can see with the lines
it and as you can see with the lines moving about you’ll see the two lines
moving about you’ll see the two lines
moving about you’ll see the two lines are moving together and the other two
are moving together and the other two
are moving together and the other two lines are moving together it’s very
lines are moving together it’s very
lines are moving together it’s very difficult to see what’s going on here
difficult to see what’s going on here
difficult to see what’s going on here exactly but as soon as I’m going to
exactly but as soon as I’m going to
exactly but as soon as I’m going to introduce these occluders you’re gonna
introduce these occluders you’re gonna
introduce these occluders you’re gonna see that this is actually a what that’s
see that this is actually a what that’s
see that this is actually a what that’s right a diamond that is moving you know
right a diamond that is moving you know
right a diamond that is moving you know in a particular direction it’s very
in a particular direction it’s very
in a particular direction it’s very important that you understand that once
important that you understand that once
important that you understand that once I take the kut’rs out everything falls
I take the kut’rs out everything falls
I take the kut’rs out everything falls apart but once I put it back there again
apart but once I put it back there again
apart but once I put it back there again here you go very clear what the shape is
here you go very clear what the shape is
here you go very clear what the shape is now would it be possible to take people
now would it be possible to take people
now would it be possible to take people who are highly hypnotizable sometimes we
who are highly hypnotizable sometimes we
who are highly hypnotizable sometimes we call them highs can we take people are
call them highs can we take people are
call them highs can we take people are highly hypnotizable and tell them that
highly hypnotizable and tell them that
highly hypnotizable and tell them that the occluders are actually there when
the occluders are actually there when
the occluders are actually there when they’re not just impose on them and tell
they’re not just impose on them and tell
they’re not just impose on them and tell them they’re actually occluders there
them they’re actually occluders there
them they’re actually occluders there and expect them to Colusa Nate the
and expect them to Colusa Nate the
and expect them to Colusa Nate the occluders and as a result of that see
occluders and as a result of that see
occluders and as a result of that see whether they can actually see the figure
whether they can actually see the figure
whether they can actually see the figure in the direction turns out that the
in the direction turns out that the
in the direction turns out that the answer is yes
answer is yes
answer is yes this is an experimental question so you
this is an experimental question so you
this is an experimental question so you can do an experiment we do the
can do an experiment we do the
can do an experiment we do the experiment and we see that for people
experiment and we see that for people
experiment and we see that for people who are highs they score very very very
who are highs they score very very very
who are highs they score very very very highly a towering result there’s
highly a towering result there’s
highly a towering result there’s something special about being highly
something special about being highly
something special about being highly hypnotizable perhaps as special as being
hypnotizable perhaps as special as being
hypnotizable perhaps as special as being a good placebo responder we’re still
a good placebo responder we’re still
a good placebo responder we’re still trying to find the link between being a
trying to find the link between being a
trying to find the link between being a good possible responder and being a
good possible responder and being a
good possible responder and being a highly hypnotizable person but you don’t
highly hypnotizable person but you don’t
highly hypnotizable person but you don’t need to be you don’t need to be highly
need to be you don’t need to be highly
need to be you don’t need to be highly hypnotizable or good placebo responder
hypnotizable or good placebo responder
hypnotizable or good placebo responder in order to experiment and in order to
in order to experiment and in order to
in order to experiment and in order to see what’s going on let me give you an
see what’s going on let me give you an
see what’s going on let me give you an example let’s say that I asked you to
example let’s say that I asked you to
example let’s say that I asked you to participate in this study that involves
participate in this study that involves
participate in this study that involves combing your hair I have a special box
combing your hair I have a special box
combing your hair I have a special box and from the box I take a regular comb
and from the box I take a regular comb
and from the box I take a regular comb and the comb looks like a men’s come
and the comb looks like a men’s come
and the comb looks like a men’s come from 1940s plastic nothing special but
from 1940s plastic nothing special but
from 1940s plastic nothing special but of course I don’t qualify for this kind
of course I don’t qualify for this kind
of course I don’t qualify for this kind of experiment because I don’t have much
of experiment because I don’t have much
of experiment because I don’t have much to comb but let’s say that you do and I
to comb but let’s say that you do and I
to comb but let’s say that you do and I hand you the comb gingerly and you take
hand you the comb gingerly and you take
hand you the comb gingerly and you take the comb and you comb your hair and you
the comb and you comb your hair and you
the comb and you comb your hair and you do it for let’s say 2 minutes and the
do it for let’s say 2 minutes and the
do it for let’s say 2 minutes and the purpose of the study is for you to tell
purpose of the study is for you to tell
purpose of the study is for you to tell me how the experience was so you do it
me how the experience was so you do it
me how the experience was so you do it for 2 minutes and let meet many weird
for 2 minutes and let meet many weird
for 2 minutes and let meet many weird psychological experiments you say at the
psychological experiments you say at the
psychological experiments you say at the end I felt good I felt that and at the
end I felt good I felt that and at the
end I felt good I felt that and at the end you give the comb back and I put it
end you give the comb back and I put it
end you give the comb back and I put it in the box and of experiment or is it
in the box and of experiment or is it
in the box and of experiment or is it it’s not the end of the experiment
it’s not the end of the experiment
it’s not the end of the experiment because then the experimenter turns to
because then the experimenter turns to
because then the experimenter turns to you after you filled out all the
you after you filled out all the
you after you filled out all the question is how you felt and everything
question is how you felt and everything
question is how you felt and everything and he says something like this oh sorry
and he says something like this oh sorry
and he says something like this oh sorry you’re probably wondering about the
you’re probably wondering about the
you’re probably wondering about the glove you see this is no regular comb
glove you see this is no regular comb
glove you see this is no regular comb this used to be
this used to be
this used to be Hitler’s comb now these last two words
Hitler’s comb now these last two words
Hitler’s comb now these last two words Hitler’s comb will change the experience
Hitler’s comb will change the experience
Hitler’s comb will change the experience for most people certainly for people
for most people certainly for people
for most people certainly for people with my family background a national
with my family background a national
with my family background a national heritage because there’s something about
heritage because there’s something about
heritage because there’s something about meaning that we connect with very very
meaning that we connect with very very
meaning that we connect with very very strongly there is something that defines
strongly there is something that defines
strongly there is something that defines the experience even in retrospect after
the experience even in retrospect after
the experience even in retrospect after it was over just giving this information
it was over just giving this information
it was over just giving this information changes the whole experience now as we
changes the whole experience now as we
changes the whole experience now as we move deeper afield into the twilight
move deeper afield into the twilight
move deeper afield into the twilight zone that is between deception and
zone that is between deception and
zone that is between deception and top-down processes I want you to
top-down processes I want you to
top-down processes I want you to understand that in real life people have
understand that in real life people have
understand that in real life people have shown time and again that it’s possible
shown time and again that it’s possible
shown time and again that it’s possible to even
to even
to even use deception without deception in a way
use deception without deception in a way
use deception without deception in a way you can take lesea bows and use them
you can take lesea bows and use them
you can take lesea bows and use them even without tricking people into
even without tricking people into
even without tricking people into thinking that they’re not possible you
thinking that they’re not possible you
thinking that they’re not possible you can do this with irritable bowel
can do this with irritable bowel
can do this with irritable bowel syndrome you can do this with lower back
syndrome you can do this with lower back
syndrome you can do this with lower back pain you can do this with ADHD people
pain you can do this with ADHD people
pain you can do this with ADHD people have done these studies you can also
have done these studies you can also
have done these studies you can also demonstrate that you can use placebos
demonstrate that you can use placebos
demonstrate that you can use placebos with non-human animals so the question
with non-human animals so the question
with non-human animals so the question is what is this mysterious effect that
is what is this mysterious effect that
is what is this mysterious effect that starts up top and then trickles down and
starts up top and then trickles down and
starts up top and then trickles down and changes our physiology in all kinds of
changes our physiology in all kinds of
changes our physiology in all kinds of weird ways can we quantify it can we
weird ways can we quantify it can we
weird ways can we quantify it can we understand the mechanisms and the answer
understand the mechanisms and the answer
understand the mechanisms and the answer is yes we’re beginning to and let me
is yes we’re beginning to and let me
is yes we’re beginning to and let me tell you a little bit about that and why
tell you a little bit about that and why
tell you a little bit about that and why you should care because all of you are
you should care because all of you are
you should care because all of you are thriving on placebos and you don’t even
thriving on placebos and you don’t even
thriving on placebos and you don’t even know it let me show you a few examples
know it let me show you a few examples
know it let me show you a few examples well first of all I’d like to start
well first of all I’d like to start
well first of all I’d like to start talking about antidepressants why
talking about antidepressants why
talking about antidepressants why antidepressants because a lot of people
antidepressants because a lot of people
antidepressants because a lot of people in our culture are taking
in our culture are taking
in our culture are taking antidepressants in the US alone one in
antidepressants in the US alone one in
antidepressants in the US alone one in 10 people are on antidepressants when it
10 people are on antidepressants when it
10 people are on antidepressants when it comes to middle-age women it’s one in
comes to middle-age women it’s one in
comes to middle-age women it’s one in four
four
four these are staggering numbers staggering
these are staggering numbers staggering
these are staggering numbers staggering numbers and why do you take
numbers and why do you take
numbers and why do you take antidepressants usually this is a major
antidepressants usually this is a major
antidepressants usually this is a major backbone drug of modern psychiatry why
backbone drug of modern psychiatry why
backbone drug of modern psychiatry why do people take antidepressants well all
do people take antidepressants well all
do people take antidepressants well all kinds of reasons but mostly for
kinds of reasons but mostly for
kinds of reasons but mostly for depression and usually for mild to
depression and usually for mild to
depression and usually for mild to moderate depression but we have a lot of
moderate depression but we have a lot of
moderate depression but we have a lot of evidence that shows that for mild to
evidence that shows that for mild to
evidence that shows that for mild to moderate depression clinically
moderate depression clinically
moderate depression clinically antidepressants and placebos are on par
antidepressants and placebos are on par
antidepressants and placebos are on par well what does that mean well some
well what does that mean well some
well what does that mean well some people take it to mean that
people take it to mean that
people take it to mean that antidepressants don’t work when there’s
antidepressants don’t work when there’s
antidepressants don’t work when there’s a big promotion around it and I think
a big promotion around it and I think
a big promotion around it and I think there should be but in a way what I’m
there should be but in a way what I’m
there should be but in a way what I’m here to tell you is that that’s wrong
here to tell you is that that’s wrong
here to tell you is that that’s wrong antidepressants do work they work well
antidepressants do work they work well
antidepressants do work they work well they work so well that clinically for
they work so well that clinically for
they work so well that clinically for mild to moderate depression they work as
mild to moderate depression they work as
mild to moderate depression they work as well as placebos do this is how good
well as placebos do this is how good
well as placebos do this is how good placebos are this is how powerful they
placebos are this is how powerful they
placebos are this is how powerful they are
are
are now some people listen to this and say
now some people listen to this and say
now some people listen to this and say well I’ve heard of other examples from
well I’ve heard of other examples from
well I’ve heard of other examples from clinical medicines for example sham
clinical medicines for example sham
clinical medicines for example sham surgery versus real surgery and this is
surgery versus real surgery and this is
surgery versus real surgery and this is true
true
true has been done for the knees and for
has been done for the knees and for
has been done for the knees and for other parts of the body and sometimes we
other parts of the body and sometimes we
other parts of the body and sometimes we can show the Chancellor jury and real
can show the Chancellor jury and real
can show the Chancellor jury and real surgery are on par but this is not the
surgery are on par but this is not the
surgery are on par but this is not the point that I want to make I want to make
point that I want to make I want to make
point that I want to make I want to make a point a little bit of a point about
a point a little bit of a point about
a point a little bit of a point about technology for example take
technology for example take
technology for example take neurofeedback I think many people don’t
neurofeedback I think many people don’t
neurofeedback I think many people don’t realize that today we have technology
realize that today we have technology
realize that today we have technology that allows us to watch our brains in
that allows us to watch our brains in
that allows us to watch our brains in action we can actually see what’s
action we can actually see what’s
action we can actually see what’s happening inside our brain while it’s
happening inside our brain while it’s
happening inside our brain while it’s happening in real time and some people
happening in real time and some people
happening in real time and some people use it therapeutically in order to help
use it therapeutically in order to help
use it therapeutically in order to help people get better and change their
people get better and change their
people get better and change their behavior and so on in the image that you
behavior and so on in the image that you
behavior and so on in the image that you see here you’re basically looking at a
see here you’re basically looking at a
see here you’re basically looking at a creme de la creme inverted toilet on top
creme de la creme inverted toilet on top
creme de la creme inverted toilet on top of your head kind of you know technology
of your head kind of you know technology
of your head kind of you know technology that allows us to do this kind of thing
that allows us to do this kind of thing
that allows us to do this kind of thing when you go into a regular neurofeedback
when you go into a regular neurofeedback
when you go into a regular neurofeedback clinic you’re not going to see this this
clinic you’re not going to see this this
clinic you’re not going to see this this is way out of budget for most people and
is way out of budget for most people and
is way out of budget for most people and very rare they will basically use EEG
very rare they will basically use EEG
very rare they will basically use EEG neurofeedback and here they just put you
neurofeedback and here they just put you
neurofeedback and here they just put you know a few electrodes on your head and
know a few electrodes on your head and
know a few electrodes on your head and listen to the elec you know electrical
listen to the elec you know electrical
listen to the elec you know electrical jazz that is playing under your scalp
jazz that is playing under your scalp
jazz that is playing under your scalp but the point is that what you see on
but the point is that what you see on
but the point is that what you see on this screen which is allegedly the
this screen which is allegedly the
this screen which is allegedly the feedback from your brain is not so
feedback from your brain is not so
feedback from your brain is not so important what do I mean by that if I
important what do I mean by that if I
important what do I mean by that if I show you your own brain activity my
show you your own brain activity my
show you your own brain activity my brain activity his brain activity her
brain activity his brain activity her
brain activity his brain activity her brain activity even if I doctor up a
brain activity even if I doctor up a
brain activity even if I doctor up a video from a simulated brain I showed
video from a simulated brain I showed
video from a simulated brain I showed you people get better people get better
you people get better people get better
you people get better people get better what does it smell like to you it smells
what does it smell like to you it smells
what does it smell like to you it smells to me it reeks of a placebo component
to me it reeks of a placebo component
to me it reeks of a placebo component there’s nothing wrong with it it just
there’s nothing wrong with it it just
there’s nothing wrong with it it just shows you how powerful pacy bose can be
shows you how powerful pacy bose can be
shows you how powerful pacy bose can be even if you pay a lot of money for them
even if you pay a lot of money for them
even if you pay a lot of money for them now I mentioned hypnosis before I would
now I mentioned hypnosis before I would
now I mentioned hypnosis before I would be remiss if I wouldn’t mention
be remiss if I wouldn’t mention
be remiss if I wouldn’t mention meditation meditation is all the rage
meditation meditation is all the rage
meditation meditation is all the rage these days meditation is in vogue and
these days meditation is in vogue and
these days meditation is in vogue and when I say meditation I don’t
when I say meditation I don’t
when I say meditation I don’t necessarily mean mindfulness and I don’t
necessarily mean mindfulness and I don’t
necessarily mean mindfulness and I don’t necessarily mean yoga or guided imagery
necessarily mean yoga or guided imagery
necessarily mean yoga or guided imagery or you know compassion training whatever
or you know compassion training whatever
or you know compassion training whatever pick pick and choose I mean it’s
pick pick and choose I mean it’s
pick pick and choose I mean it’s completely it’s a free world I’m talking
completely it’s a free world I’m talking
completely it’s a free world I’m talking about the idea of a top-down process all
about the idea of a top-down process all
about the idea of a top-down process all these contemplative practices are
these contemplative practices are
these contemplative practices are basically allowing us to see what is
basically allowing us to see what is
basically allowing us to see what is happening in the brain in our body and
happening in the brain in our body and
happening in the brain in our body and our physiology as a result of practicing
our physiology as a result of practicing
our physiology as a result of practicing these top-down techniques and we’re
these top-down techniques and we’re
these top-down techniques and we’re beginning to see what’s happening we’re
beginning to see what’s happening we’re
beginning to see what’s happening we’re beginning to understand what’s happening
beginning to understand what’s happening
beginning to understand what’s happening and we’re beginning
and we’re beginning
and we’re beginning then who are the people who are likely
then who are the people who are likely
then who are the people who are likely to benefit from this more we’re
to benefit from this more we’re
to benefit from this more we’re beginning to say what are the systems
beginning to say what are the systems
beginning to say what are the systems that are involved more than that we are
that are involved more than that we are
that are involved more than that we are now getting into sort of a new kind of
now getting into sort of a new kind of
now getting into sort of a new kind of direction where these techniques that
direction where these techniques that
direction where these techniques that were present thousands of years ago
were present thousands of years ago
were present thousands of years ago I mean meditation Buddhism thousands of
I mean meditation Buddhism thousands of
I mean meditation Buddhism thousands of years back we don’t have to go that far
years back we don’t have to go that far
years back we don’t have to go that far if you go back to their recent past
if you go back to their recent past
if you go back to their recent past 1970s I got you a black-and-white
1970s I got you a black-and-white
1970s I got you a black-and-white picture showing you the things drink
picture showing you the things drink
picture showing you the things drink effect that a lot of people don’t know
effect that a lot of people don’t know
effect that a lot of people don’t know that they think drink effect is
that they think drink effect is
that they think drink effect is something that people don’t know about
something that people don’t know about
something that people don’t know about because they’re too familiar with the
because they’re too familiar with the
because they’re too familiar with the drink effect the drink effect is what
drink effect the drink effect is what
drink effect the drink effect is what happens when you you know imbibe alcohol
happens when you you know imbibe alcohol
happens when you you know imbibe alcohol in generous amounts you don’t need a
in generous amounts you don’t need a
in generous amounts you don’t need a TEDTalk for that but what people don’t
TEDTalk for that but what people don’t
TEDTalk for that but what people don’t realize sometimes is that you can
realize sometimes is that you can
realize sometimes is that you can actually get a non-alcoholic beverage
actually get a non-alcoholic beverage
actually get a non-alcoholic beverage this is my palcohol placebo alcohol and
this is my palcohol placebo alcohol and
this is my palcohol placebo alcohol and you know if you give people a
you know if you give people a
you know if you give people a non-alcoholic beverage you can sometimes
non-alcoholic beverage you can sometimes
non-alcoholic beverage you can sometimes get some pretty good results if they are
get some pretty good results if they are
get some pretty good results if they are under the impression that this is an
under the impression that this is an
under the impression that this is an alcoholic beverage so much so that they
alcoholic beverage so much so that they
alcoholic beverage so much so that they will show you impaired cognition slurred
will show you impaired cognition slurred
will show you impaired cognition slurred speech inability to walk a straight line
speech inability to walk a straight line
speech inability to walk a straight line they will vomit they will have you know
they will vomit they will have you know
they will vomit they will have you know hangovers serious stuff all on palcohol
hangovers serious stuff all on palcohol
hangovers serious stuff all on palcohol now sometimes when we do these
now sometimes when we do these
now sometimes when we do these experiments the people who are
experiments the people who are
experiments the people who are susceptible to this are too drunk to
susceptible to this are too drunk to
susceptible to this are too drunk to understand that the experiment is over
understand that the experiment is over
understand that the experiment is over when you tell them you know this was a
when you tell them you know this was a
when you tell them you know this was a hoax this is strong stuff
hoax this is strong stuff
hoax this is strong stuff this is palcohol for you now what have
this is palcohol for you now what have
this is palcohol for you now what have we had here today I mean we had some you
we had here today I mean we had some you
we had here today I mean we had some you know blinking we had all kinds of
know blinking we had all kinds of
know blinking we had all kinds of parental deception we had a magician was
parental deception we had a magician was
parental deception we had a magician was an honest liar
an honest liar
an honest liar we had some hypnosis with dancing lines
we had some hypnosis with dancing lines
we had some hypnosis with dancing lines we had Hitler’s comb we had some
we had Hitler’s comb we had some
we had Hitler’s comb we had some antidepressants
antidepressants
antidepressants we had neurofeedback now I’m beginning
we had neurofeedback now I’m beginning
we had neurofeedback now I’m beginning to talk to you about meditation and
to talk to you about meditation and
to talk to you about meditation and alcohol listen at the end of the day
alcohol listen at the end of the day
alcohol listen at the end of the day although deception is a slippery slope
although deception is a slippery slope
although deception is a slippery slope and it is a slippery slope we are in the
and it is a slippery slope we are in the
and it is a slippery slope we are in the process of gaining better scientific
process of gaining better scientific
process of gaining better scientific insights into what it is to use the
insights into what it is to use the
insights into what it is to use the power of top-down control
power of top-down control
power of top-down control and as a result we’re beginning to
and as a result we’re beginning to
and as a result we’re beginning to ponder if it would be possible to use
ponder if it would be possible to use
ponder if it would be possible to use placebos in a way that is both judicious
placebos in a way that is both judicious
placebos in a way that is both judicious and ethical judicious and ethical and I
and ethical judicious and ethical and I
and ethical judicious and ethical and I am here to tell you and to submit to you
am here to tell you and to submit to you
am here to tell you and to submit to you that in some circumstances it is
that in some circumstances it is
that in some circumstances it is actually unethical not to use placebos
actually unethical not to use placebos
actually unethical not to use placebos but we can talk about that over a stiff
but we can talk about that over a stiff
but we can talk about that over a stiff drink of alcohol whatever you do
drink of alcohol whatever you do
drink of alcohol whatever you do whatever you do I want you to next time
whatever you do I want you to next time
whatever you do I want you to next time you hear a person come to you and say hi
you hear a person come to you and say hi
you hear a person come to you and say hi my name is dr. Raza and I am a pal
my name is dr. Raza and I am a pal
my name is dr. Raza and I am a pal coholic please don’t laugh it’s a
coholic please don’t laugh it’s a
coholic please don’t laugh it’s a serious top down matter it’s a serious
serious top down matter it’s a serious
serious top down matter it’s a serious top down matter
top down matter
top down matter thank you for placebo in with me today
thank you for placebo in with me today
thank you for placebo in with me today Cheers
”
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