Media reports about substances that are supposedly hazardous
to health may cause suggestible people to develop symptoms of a disease even
though there is no objective reason for doing so. This is the conclusion of a
study of the phenomenon known as electromagnetic hypersensitivity.
Those affected report experiencing certain symptoms on
exposure to electromagnetic waves, such as those emitted by cell phones, and
these take the form of physical reactions. With the help of magnetic resonance
imaging, it has been demonstrated that the regions of the brain responsible for
pain processing are active in such cases.
"Despite this, there is a considerable body of evidence
that electromagnetic hypersensitivity might actually be the result of a
so-called nocebo effect," explained Dr. Michael Witthöft of Johannes
Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU). "The mere anticipation of possible
injury may actually trigger pain or disorders. This is the opposite of the
analgesic effects we know can be associated with exposure to placebos."
The new study illustrates how media reports about health
risks may trigger or amplify nocebo effects in some people.
fields and health symptoms
Frequently, the media reports on the potential health risks
associated with the electromagnetic fields (EMFs) produced by cell phones, cell
phone masts, high-voltage lines, and Wi-Fi devices. People who are sensitive to
electromagnetic fields report symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, burning or
tingling sensations on their skin, and they attribute these effects to this
Some people actually skip work or withdraw from their social
environment because of their electromagnetic hypersensitivity and in extreme
cases they may even move to remote regions to get away from electrical
"However, tests have shown that the people affected are
unable to tell if they have really been exposed to an electromagnetic field. In
fact, their symptoms are triggered in exactly the same way if they are exposed
to genuine and sham fields," added Witthöft.
What is the nocebo
The so-called nocebo effect was initially identified during
pharmaceutical trials. Subjects were observed to exhibit undesirable side
effects even though they were not receiving the medication but merely a
Witthöft undertook the current study in collaboration with
G. James Rubin during a research stay at King's College in London. The 147 test
subjects were first shown a television report. One group of participants
watched a BBC One documentary, which dealt in no uncertain terms with the
potential health hazards supposedly associated with cell phone and WiFi
The other group watched a report on the security of Internet
and cell phone data. Then all the subjects in both groups were exposed to fake
WiFi signals that they were told were real.
Even though they were not exposed to any radiation, some of
the subjects developed characteristic symptoms: 54% of the subjects reported
experiencing agitation and anxiety, loss of concentration or tingling in their
fingers, arms, legs, and feet.
Two participants left the study prematurely because their
symptoms were so severe that they no longer wanted to be exposed to the assumed
radiation. It became apparent that the symptoms were most severe among the
subjects who had high pre-existing anxiety as a result of viewing the documentary
about the possible hazards of electromagnetic radiation.
The study thus demonstrates that sensationalized media
reports on potential risks, which often lack scientific evidence, can have a
significant effect on the health of large sections of the population. Such
speculation on health hazards most likely has more than just a short-term
impact like that of a self-fulfilling prophesy; it is likely that over the long
term some people begin to believe that they are sensitive and develop symptoms
in certain situations when exposed to electrosmog.
"Science and the
media need to work together more closely and make sure that reports of possible
health hazards from new technologies are as accurate as possible and are
presented to the public using the best available scientific data," said
Witthöft, drawing consequences from the study findings.