Re: saturday

Jeffrey and Ted,

This is an introduction of the two of you to each other. I think you will have a very stimulating, exciting dialogue. I have spoken with each of you about the other.

Jeffrey,

Ted Kaptchuk is a deeply philosophical scientist. Placebo research has been his special interest for a decade (and Chinese Medicine before that--in addition I am sure to many others). He is actually in the process now of setting up a placebo research center at Harvard--where he has been on the faculty for > 10 years, principally affiliated with their Osher Center for Research in Complementary and Alternative Medicine. He wrote a wonderful book, The Web That Has No Weaver, about traditional Chinese medicine, as the 2nd practitioner to visit China after the thaw in the 70s. He can send you studies, etc. if you would like.

Ted,

Jeffrey is a very successful investor. But the reason I am recommending he talk with you is that he has a brilliant mind, is very interested in the far-reaching scientific implications of the placebo response. and recently (partly stemming from his surprise that some would believe in and use homeopathy)

I think the two of you will enjoy each other's minds, and possibly come up with some very interesting ideas for future research.

Best,

Woody

Woody, Thank you for the introduction.

Jeffrey, Whenever you'd like to talk....i talk placebo most of the time....tell me. multi-disciplinary approach: basic, clinical All my work and and social the work science of my and laboratory collaborate is about with the placebo humanities effects (history, and we use ethics, a etc.) We published in these areas and have some exciting studies in the pipeline. We can start with a phone call or whatever. Your call. best ted

Ted Kaptchuk
Associate Professor of Medicine
Harvard Medical School
Boston, MA 02215
phone:

Ted, as you may know, I funded the Placebo work with Ann Harrington probably fifteen years ago. I was one of the originals on the MBB committee, being best friends with Henry Rososyskly. Then sent Ann to China, then more particle physics, Dalai Lama, with Kosslyn. What is a good time to call?

Dear Jeffrey,

Harvard-wide Program in Placebo Studies wanted to update you on our placebo initiative which will be hosted at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. I've been asked to start a basic, clinical and social science research as well as scholarly work in placebo studies. We are situated in all the major teaching hospitals at Harvard and have already drawn commitments from over 20 faculty. Anne Harrington will be joining us. We recently published a physiological study of placebo in the New England Journal of Medicine and a theoretical paper in Philosophic Transactions of the Roy Soc B. (I'm attaching a copy). We anticipate making some major breakthroughs in genetic of placebo effects (we're submitting our findings in the next days) and have major studies in the pipeline. We're hoping that this program will establish Placebo Studies as an important component of medical research internationally. Here is our new website: www.programinplacebostudies.org. Let me know if this is of any interest for you.

Sincerely,

Ted

It is

Sorry for all the typos. Sent from my iPhone

Great. Should we set up a time to talk?

Re: saturday