The Fascinating World of Boredom & The Origins of Halloween Customs

Everyone knows what a placebo is. We have talked about the placebo effect on previous episodes. Most people probably think of it as applying to medication. However, I begin this episode by explaining how the placebo effect works with sleep. And the information could come in handy on those days you are feeling tired. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24417326/ I am sure you have felt bored at times – whether standing in line, waiting at the doctor’s office or just sitting around with nothing to do. So what is boredom? Does it serve a purpose? And what about that phrase, “I’m bored to death.” Could that actually happen? Joining me for a fascinating discussion on boredom is psychologist James Danckert, author of the book, Out of My Skull: The Psychology of Boredom (https://amzn.to/3ePmnsq). Listen and you will never look at boredom quite the same way again. Phrases like “trick or treat” or “jack o’ lantern” – where do they come from? Why are pumpkins part of Halloween? When and how did monsters like Frankenstein, The Mummy, and Dracula become part of Halloween? They didn’t used to be. Listen as I discuss many of our modern customs, traditions and legends of Halloween with Lisa Morton, o…