Institutional nocebo: the fentanyl myth and aging stereotypes

The article analyzes the phenomenon of institutional nocebo, focusing on the so-called myth of fentanyl overdose via accidental touch. The author contrasts the real toxicological risk of the substance with a socially constructed fear that leads to somatic reactions resembling poisoning (e.g., hyperventilation), despite the lack of clinical grounds for an overdose during passive occupational exposure. Citing medical data and case analyses of officers in North America, the text shows that the risk of sudden poisoning through the skin is close to zero. The entire discussion serves as a starting point for reflections on how institutional narratives and stereotypes—including those regarding aging (using Helen Pilcher's book as an example)—can be embodied in the organism, creating a loop between belief and physical bodily reaction.