We’ve all heard of the placebo effect, but what about the Expectation Effect? What we think will happen can change what does happen. David Robson, science journalist and author of The Expectation Effect: How Your Mindset Can Change Your World, talks to Alex Andreou about how our way of thinking shapes our everyday lives. Does believing stress is beneficial make you more creative under pressure? And can associating ageing with wisdom really add seven years to your life?

“There’s a lot of pseudoscience that says positivity can solve your problems. This is not that at all.”

“The expectation of becoming ill can actually increase your chances of becoming ill.”

“People who have a positive view of ageing are more likely to live longer than those who have a negative view.”

“Our expectations can shape our perceptions of food.”

https://www.patreon.com/bunkercastPresented by Alex Andreou. Produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Audio production by Alex Rees and Robin Leeburn. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters ProductionLearn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices