As expected, most folks are reacting directly to the headline. The study protocols are more interesting and informative: https://www.researchsquare.com/article

As expected, most folks are reacting directly to the headline. The study protocols are more interesting and informative: https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-3287846/v1 https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-3287846/v1 Basically, the key factor here appears to not only be money, but an assigned “Miracle Friend” who has recurring check-ins with the individual. The grantees of the funding were all individuals who kept up recurring checkins for some period of time (without being disclosed that this would result in receiving any money).