Homeopathy and the placebo effect

The placebo effect

By Marc Wilson In Psychology

Several thousand people, many seriously ill, are queuing up for the briefest opportunity to be “seen” by John of God, a Brazilian with a reputation for healing. I’m dressed in white, because that’s what I’ve been told to wear (not easy until I found those fashion faux pas white jeans at the back of the cupboard). I stand for about two hours with arms held at 45 degrees from my sides, palms out, as people process past – some in wheelchairs, some being carried. One person faints, and others rush to help. Based on a fleeting consultation, some people are invited to travel to John’s ...

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