Researchers say social media myths drive ‘nocebo effect’ of side-effects that are real but psychological in origin
Social media misinformation about the contraceptive pill is encouraging women to view it so negatively that many give it up, a study has found.
Researchers have identified myths spread on TikTok and other social media platforms as a key driver of users suffering side-effects that are real but psychological in origin. It is called the “nocebo effect”, the opposite of the better-known placebo effect.
Experiencing it is closely linked to anxiety, depression and fatigue, with experts saying people become “wary of anything that they believe might make [the conditions] worse”. This, in turn, spurs on the effect.
It has been seen with other medicines, but the study, by psychologists at Sheffield University, is the first to link the syndrome with use of the pill, which has fallen sharply.
