The Power of the Placebo Effect
TED-Ed explores why placebos are used and how expectation can affect what people feel.
Explore how expectation can influence experience—and why scientists still need careful evidence.
A placebo is designed to look like a treatment without containing its active ingredient. Comparing treatments with placebos can help researchers discover what a medicine itself changes and what may come from expectation, care or natural recovery.
Investigate the surprising links between the brain, body, belief and scientific testing.
TED-Ed explores why placebos are used and how expectation can affect what people feel.
A clear introduction to how context, belief and brain signals may influence symptoms.
Enjoy a story that opens up questions about belief, science and discovery.
The story about Benjamin Franklin, mystery, science and the power of careful investigation.
Practise separating claims, expectations and evidence without testing medicines yourselves.
A Kahoot based on the read-aloud, helping children review the story and its scientific mystery.
Sort statements into predictions, observations and conclusions, then ask what evidence would make each claim stronger.
Follow curiosity into clinical trials, the nocebo effect, pain and perception.
Design a pretend study using two identical cups of coloured water and decide how to keep the test fair—without swallowing or testing any medicine.
Explore a safe illusion and compare what you first expected to see with what closer observation reveals.
If someone feels better after a placebo, what has changed—and what would scientists still need to know?
Take this topic further with our beautifully illustrated printable lesson, made for exploring together at home.
Explore a surprising idea about belief, expectation and the ways scientists separate impressions from evidence.
£6.99
Every Sunday we release a new wonder-led lesson: one big question for your family to explore together at home. Here’s this week’s.
Follow the wonder of moving pictures, meet early cinema pioneers and begin a small film story of your own.
£6.99