Derren Brown & The Placebo Effect

[Seppuku]

Whilst the forum was down there was some really interesting stuff on TV. I don't know how well known Derren Brown is outside of the UK, but he's an atheist who performs some pretty awesome tricks, he is highly knowledgeable in the world of psychology and exploits it for his profession. He also performs experiments on his TV shows, for example, setting up an experiment to prove it's possible to brainwash somebody into an assassin without the assassin being aware that they are one. He did a couple of 2 part shows that were really interesting, the first was to convince somebody the zombie apocalypse was really happening to inspire some key character improvements.

The other was 2 episodes to do with the power of the placebo effect, the first helping people overcome some anxiety disorders and the second, an attempt to explain how God works as a placebo effect and then giving an atheist a religious experience. It was an interesting program to watch. I don't know if these links work outside of the UK, but they're worth watching:

Apocalypse - Part 1
http://www.channel4.com/programmes/derren-brown-the-specials/episode-guide/series-14/episode-1
Apocalypse - Part 2
http://www.channel4.com/programmes/derren-brown-the-specials/episode-guide/series-14/episode-2
Fear and Faith - Part 1
http://www.channel4.com/programmes/derren-brown-the-specials/episode-guide/series-14/episode-3
Fear and Faith - Part 2
http://www.channel4.com/programmes/derren-brown-the-specials/episode-guide/series-14/episode-4

[Graybeard]

I've just watched the first 12 minutes of the third video - no one should miss this.

If there is any doubt that miracles are the placebo of the past, this will dispel it.

[kin hell]

not viewable in Oz bugger it.

[ParkingPlaces]

Sadly not available in the US either. Anyone got a placebo for me to make up for it?

[LoriPinkAngel]

The placebo effect is very interesting.  Whenever I start a new  medication it starts to work immediately before it is even physically in my system.  This is just because my mind is hopeful that the new med will actually help me.  Unfortunanately it wears off when the med is not really effective.

[SHIN KAIRI]

Not viewable in Portugal.

[Seppuku]

There's 4oD on YouTube, but I don't know if it's a channel viewable only inside the UK as well, but it's worth a shot. If it doesn't work, I suspect it'll be out on DVD one day.

http://www.youtube.com/user/4oDEntertainment/videos?query=Derren+brown


Mainly, it was interesting to see how effective placebos can actually be, but then Derren Brown is very good in using the power of suggestion and in using suggestion he was successful in giving an atheist a religious experience, the experiments are controlled of course and as with any psychological experiments he always debriefs his subjects and makes sure the ethical requirements are met and that people's psychological wellbeing remains in tact.

[wheels5894]

the placebo ones were very interesting. It is only a shame we couldn't use them for real.

If you can't view these outwith the UK, you could try looking for a UK proxy server. That way the website thinks you are in the UK.

[Graybeard]

I hope the proxy server works - I've now had several hours of excellent, informative and entertaining viewing.