update
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 trad 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 scientific mind, is very interested in research and recently he has taken a keen interest in some far-reaching questions about the implications of the placebo response. (partly stemming out of his surprise that i 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
Jeffrey Enstein office: 212-750-9895
Woody, Thank you for the introduction.
Jeffrey, Whenever you'd like to talk....i talk placebo most of the time....tell me. All my work and the work of my laboratory is about placebo effects and we use a multi-discplinary approach: basic, clinical and social science and collaborate with the humanities (history, ethics, 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
Ted „ as you may know, I funded the Placebo work, with AnnHarrington probably fifteen years ago. I was one of the originals on the MBB commitee, being best friends with Henry Rososvskly. then sent Ann to China , then more particle physics, dali lama, with Kosslyn.. What is a good time to call?
Hi Jeffrey,
Last time we talk, I explained that I'm interested in moving honestly described placebos (or what i am tentatively calling the "ritual of medicine") into mainstream medicine.
We published our first paper using open-label placebos (patients are told it is a placebo) as a treatment last week in PLoS One. (pfd attached).
We received enormous media attention (TV, radio, print and intemet across the globe, including all the big players like the NY Times and LA Times; Wall Street Journal probably next week) which suggest that this concept has an appeal. (I'll attach a few of the 2-3 minutes media segments.) Our team is moving forward in other illness with a multi-disciplinary approach integrating concepts, research designs and analytic methods drawn from the basic, clinical, and social sciences as well as the humanities (e.g. history and bioethics). We hope to perform neurobiological mechanism studies on this phenomenon soon and study patients' experiences using ethnographic methods. Harvard Medical School and the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center have decided to start of Center in Placebo Studies. I just wanted to update you on what has happened since we last talk and find out whether this emerging research avenue/clinical approach is of interest to you. We want to change medicine, health care and our understanding of what is possible.
Best in the New Year!
ted
PS: Some media links:
NPR broadcast link:
NBC broadcast link:
BBC World News: (MP4 recording)
somewhere on this page.
Ted Kaptchuk
Associate Professor of Medicine
Harvard Medical School
Boston, MA 02215
phone: 617.354.1744