SYSK Gets Weird Playlist: What is Collective Hysteria?

Chuck and Josh delve into the strange phenomenon of collective hysteria, also known as mass psychogenic illness, where groups of people—often young women—suddenly experience identical physical symptoms with no identifiable medical cause. They explore historical outbreaks and examine whether these events stem from psychosomatic responses, social contagion (groupthink), or a combination of both. The episode unpacks the puzzling intersection of mind, body, and group dynamics that can produce very real physical distress.