/oss/taxonomy/term/5483/all en /oss/article/medical/placebos-are-harmless-right-not-always <hr /> <p><em>This article was originally posted in the</em> <a href="https://montrealgazette.com/opinion/columnists/christopher-labos-placebos-are-harmless-right-not-always"><em>Montreal Gazette.</em></a></p> <hr /> <p>My last column on the<a href="https://montrealgazette.com/opinion/columnists/christopher-labos-placebo-effect-is-real-and-complicated"> placebo effect</a> generated the same comment from two people. They suggested the next article should be on nocebos — that is, placebos that cause harm.</p> Fri, 22 Dec 2023 11:00:00 +0000 Christopher Labos MD, MSc 9768 at /oss /oss/article/covid-19-critical-thinking-health/dont-fall-vaers-scare-tactic <p>The<a href="https://vaers.hhs.gov/"> Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System or VAERS</a> is being misused by anti-vaxxers to terrify the public. It’s a shame because VAERS plays a vital role in detecting important but rare reactions caused by vaccines. The weaponization of VAERS by anti-vaccine activists serves as a reminder that having access to more information does not always lead to better decisions. Information needs to be correctly interpreted to guide us in the right direction.</p> Fri, 18 Jun 2021 23:47:03 +0000 Jonathan Jarry M.Sc. 8764 at /oss