I am currently reading Cure: A journey into the science of mind over body by Jo Marchant (http://jomarchant.com/cure). It is a very well researched, smart, fun read. The author takes us through the amazing ability the mind has to effect change in the body. She discusses many research studies looking at the placebo effect. A placebo is a "sham" medication, treatment, or procedure that has no medicinal or known therapeutic properties. It does involve some type of action on the part of the participant - for example, taking a capsule with no active ingredients. It is used to compare patients who are receiving an active medication or therapy to those receiving an inactive treatment, in order to see if the therapy in question is more effective than the control. Historically when studies have concluded that the medication or treatment in question performs no better than the placebo, the assumption is that it had no effect. However Ms. Marchant takes a deep dive into this assumption and shows us many evidence-based examples of how this isn't true. We have been overlooking a key lesson. The treatment or therapy may not perform better than placebo, but how does the placebo perform? In many cases, patients receiving the placebo DO have relief of symptoms compared to patients who have no change at all to their regimens.
For example, one study looked at the effect of common anti-anxiety medications. The patients taking these medications reported definitive relief of anxiety. But, interestingly, to no greater degree than the patients taking a sham medication. How is this so? Are we all crazy? Are we all being tricked?
No.
There are multiple studies showing true biochemical shifts that follow certain medications/treatments, AS WELL AS following the placebo. There are measurable changes in serotonin, dopamine, prostaglandins, and endorphins following placebo treatments. These shifts then have a noticeable effect on pain, inflammation, anxiety, depression, and vital signs. So how could this be?
It turns out if you think something will have an effect, in some cases and conditions, there will be an effect. Simply having the thought that something will help leads to a release of brain mediators that then have a downstream effect on the condition.
How amazing and powerful is that? Simply changing your thoughts leads to biochemical shifts in the brain that then effect change in the brain and body. The key, though, is to have a thought that is deeply believable to you.
How can we use this in our everyday lives? I plan to harness it for fun trials in my own day. Instead of having another cup of caffeinated coffee at lunch time, will I have the same perked up, focused effect if I switch the coffee for decaf but maintain the same regimen? I'm excited to try it. But more importantly, we can take this idea and make subtle shifts in our distressing thoughts. If believing something is helpful and healing leads to a self-fulfilling shift in chemicals, then it is reasonable to assume the opposite is true when we are locked in on negative thoughts. When we think a thought such as "I'm such an idiot, I can't believe I forgot to follow up on that, I'm so disorganized, what a hot mess," we have resultant shame, anxiety, and aching muscles. Adjusting our thought to something that is still true and believable gives a little relief. Something like "I will use this episode to improve my systems of organization." This leads to feelings of determination, motivation, and grace. Even the tiniest shift in negative thoughts can lead to shifts in what we are feeling.
A thought can change our biochemical cascades, which can change how we feel, which can change what we do, which can change our lives. A thought can absolutely change your life.
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