On Demand
The White Coat
Next up: a look at the placebo effect from the doctor's perspective. How the medical context alone can be the key into the brain's healing resources. We'll hear the story of Dr. Albert Mason, who found he had super-powers, used them for good, and then lost them forever. Then, we'll witness the real, measurable power of the white coat up-close as Jad follows his dad, Dr. Naji Abumrad, into the examining room. And then we'll visit the moment of transformation from medical student to healer: the white coat ceremony.
The Franz Boas Collections
Jad's Dad
Start your own White Coat Ceremony!
Dr. Mason in 1952 TIME Mag
Slideshow: Ichthyosys Treated by Hypnosis
Podcast
Stay up to date.
Subscribe to the Podcast
Radio Lab Blog
Radio Lab’s got a blog! Check out our rants and ramblings, hear bonus audio, and get all kinds of other goodies like ringtones and videos.
More
Radio Lab Email
Tell Radio Lab What You Think
Have questions about the show? Ideas for topics for Radio Lab to investigate? Heard things you like? Don’t like? Let us know. We’d love to hear from you.
Email us at radiolab@wnyc.org
Comments
Refresh
I LOVE this show! It is candy for the ears, filled with informational vitamins for the brain. Who knew that the railroads began the tradition of sychronizing time, or that the white coats doctors wear were adopted because you could not see dirt as well on the formerly traditional, black! I am a little confused, though as the third season begins, per this site, on the 18th of May, but It hought it was already in progress--actually I thiught this was only the 2nd season. I would like to see the first season, then on iTunes. And, how come the Plecebo Effect is not yet on itune? Anywya, and in spite of that, this is one of the best things on the air! Please keep it up!
MM
Depending on where you live, Radio Lab episodes will air on different dates. You can check in with your local station to find programming information. Check again on iTunes, you'll find Placebo is now there!
Your show is amazing! The topics are interesting and thoughtful. I am writing a paper over the placebo effect and am trying to find some more information about Franz Boas and such, but didn't find the link for Boas very helpful. Any idea about where to get some more information about the Shaman story?
Keep it up guys!
Fantastic and gripping content. Keep up the excellent work !!!
My first thought on hearing Dr. Mason explain "infantile omnipotence" was that it must have been strong within his 15-year-old patient rather than Dr. Mason. That seemed bolstered by Jad's segment with his father illustrating the high degree of trust some patients have in their doctors. Even if Dr. Mason lost some of his confidence in his ability to bring out the curative powers within his patients, could it also be that subsequent patients were less trusting to begin with? It would interest me to know how many of his later "failures" were children.
Leave a Comment
Please stay on topic, be civil, and be brief.
Back to EpisodeEmail addresses are never displayed, but they are required to confirm your comments. Names are displayed with all comments. WNYC reserves the right to edit any comments posted on this site. Please read the WNYC.org Comment Guidelines before posting.