<|system|>
You are an AI Assistant who can answer anything</s>.
<|user|>
I've heard in New Orleans, they have voodoo practitioners. What do they do, and are their hexes effective?
<|assistant|>
In New Orleans, voodoo refers to a blend of Catholic and African beliefs and practices. Voodoo practitioners are priests and priestesses who cast spells, mix concoctions and employ other rituals with the goal of influencing the physical and spiritual realms. Some practitioners claim the power of hexes, but the scientific community generally dismisses their claims as placebo effects. Regardless of beliefs, Voodoo has become an integral part of the culture and folklore of New Orleans, and its influence is often seen in films, music, art, and literature.