Placebo/Nocebo Effect and the Conscious Mind:
Placebo effect is when the mind convinces the body that a treatment is real even though it is a sham. It creates a complex neurobiological reaction that includes “everything from increase of feel-good neurotransmitters, like endorphins and dopamine, to greater activity in certain brain regions linked to moods, emotional reactions, and self-awareness” (Harvard Health Publishing). Approximately 1 in 3 people experience the placebo effect (Seladi-Schulman, J).
What’s interesting is that even when you know it’s a sham, the placebo effect still works. It’s been known to help with pain, stress, sleep disorders, depression, irritable bowel syndrome, menopause, and side effects from cancer treatment like fatigue and nausea (WebMD, Harvard Health Publishing).
A common example is: “If I take this pill, it will make me feel better.” In double-blind studies with pharmaceutical drugs, there is a percentage of people who have improved symptoms even when they are taking a sugar pill instead of a drug.
While we don’t fully understand the placebo effect, one hypothesis is that it may be the ritual that leads to its power. In other words, the person is conditioned to believe in the treatment prior to taking the pill. In the United States, there are so many commercials all the time that talk about pills leading to beneficial results, that when people in the United States take a pill, they are trained to believe the effects will automatically be beneficial (Harvard Health Publishing, Sheldrake, R).
Another hypothesis is it’s the person’s expectations. If the person expects positive results, then they are more likely to experience positive results (Seladi-Schulman, J, Harvard Health Publishing). Of course, this means it also works in the other direction, which brings us to the nocebo effect.
Nocebo Effect is where symptoms get worse with the placebo instead of better. If the person has a belief that the intervention will cause harm, they are more likely to have a negative outcome (MEDSAFE). The nocebo effect can have a larger effect on a person because negative perceptions are formed faster than positive ones (Seladi-Schulman, J).
Placebo/Nocebo Effect and the Unconscious Mind:
A groundbreaking study by Jensen, Kaptchuk, et al shows that even when only the nonconscious mind activated, the placebo/nocebo effect still occurs. They performed two experiments with two different groups of test subjects. Each group was exposed to moderate-level heat and was asked to rate it on a scale of 0 to 100 with 0 being no pain and 100 being the worst pain imaginable. (Jensen, K. B.)
Group 1 was shown a picture of the face of someone experiencing low heat, someone experiencing moderate heat (control), or someone experiencing high heat. They found statistically significant results that if a person saw the face of a person reacting to low heat, their rating of heat was lower than the moderate heat they were experiencing. If a person saw the face of a person reacting to high heat, their rating of heat was higher than the moderate heat they were experiencing. (Jensen, K. B.)
For Group 2 it was a similar concept, but instead they made it so the test subjects couldn’t consciously see the pictures of the faces. They would flash the image of the face and then mask it so the test subject couldn’t consciously register the image. The test subjects still reacted similarly where they rated their pain lower when there was a picture of low heat face and higher when there was a picture of high heat face. (Jensen, K. B.)
The above study ties in with the concept of unconscious/subliminal conditioning. Not only that but how we can have a reaction to the placebo/nocebo effect and it bypasses our conscious awareness. It also shows that ritual nor conscious expectation necessarily (or at least doesn’t always) take part in the placebo/nocebo effect. (Jensen, K. B.)
We see evidence of this in the study just mentioned. The Group 2 test subjects were responding to the placebo/nocebo effect and they had no conscious awareness that they were. The low heat group was still experiencing moderate heat even though they rated it as being lower. The high heat group was still experiencing moderate heat even though they rated it as being higher. (Jensen, K. B.) What could this mean?
This study can help explain why there are times we feel better or worse about the same circumstance depending on the company around us. Have you ever been in a situation and from one day to the next you have a more positive or negative view of it? It’s the same situation and none of the factors involved have changed. But your perception of it may have changed. Why? Could it be those around us influence our perceptions?
Is it possible that if we are constantly around people who are worse-case-scenario about situations and they are showing high signs of distress all of the time, that it would influence our perception of our own personal situation? Could it be that we are influenced to perceive our situation as worse than it is? It can be easy to understand why this could be detrimental to our well-being. We could end up taking for granted the good things we have in life because we are perceiving them as being less than they are. From a health standpoint, if we are experiencing pain already then it’s possible being in this type of environment will cause us to perceive our pain as being worse than it is. This can explain how our views of different people and societies as a whole can be negatively skewed.
Is it also possible that if we are constantly around people who are best-case-scenario about situations and they are showing low signs of distress all of the time, that it would influence our perception of our own personal situation? Could it be that we are influenced to perceive our situation as better than it is? This could also affect our well-being. We may stay in a job that doesn’t pay us what we deserve and not ask for a raise. We may deal with relationships that aren’t the best for us. We may not vocalize boundaries and what we need in order to create a healthier relationship. From a health standpoint, if we are experiencing pain already then it’s possible being in this type of environment will cause us to perceive our pain as being better than it is. This can be beneficial because it gives a perceived improvement in quality of life. At an extreme, this could be harmful if there is something causing this pain that needs to be addressed, but we never go for care to check it out because we interpret the pain as not being significant. This can also skew our view of different types of people and societies as a whole where we follow the crowd without questioning the validity of their logic.
This can show how being around various personality types with different perspectives of reality could help give us a broader and more well-rounded perception of our reality.
Placebo/Nocebo Effect and the Power of Suggestion:
Power of Suggestion is implying or indicating a certain fact or situation. A positive suggestion could be considered to work like the placebo effect. A negative suggestion could be considered to work like the nocebo effect.
Basically, your words have power. You can have a positive or negative effect on others. You can also have a positive or negative effect on yourself.
Example of the Power of Suggestion: The following example is courtesy of an amazing chiropractor, Dr. John Donofrio (RIP). He gave this example while teaching a board review course back in 2011ish and it has stuck with me.
To see the power of suggestion, pick a friend or family member who looks like they are having a rough day. They are kind of hunched over. They look bleary-eyed like they haven’t gotten much sleep. Maybe they are stressed out. Maybe they look frumpy.
And sincerely say; “You look great today.” OR “Wow! You look great! You look like you’ve been getting great sleep!” OR “You look like you’re feeling good today!” Watch what happens.
Most of the time, when you sincerely compliment a person, they’ll perk up. Give them time, and you’ll see the positive effects of your words. They may stand a little taller. They may look a little more awake. They may smile more. Basically, you made them feel great.
Obviously, a person could do the opposite, but that would be toxic behavior and that person would be cruel for intentionally bringing people down like that.
Unfortunately, an example of this in the dating world is a person who purposefully insults someone they are attracted to in order to make that someone feel insecure. The person who is dishing insults is hoping to bring down that someone in order to increase their chances of getting a date from that someone. Another example is a person insulting someone in order to bring down that someone while trying to make themselves feel better. The person insulting is normally super insecure and hopes that bringing that someone down will make them feel better (but it doesn’t really). Yet another example is toxic families that are constantly putting down the children in the family. It can be mean comments about weight, intelligence, appearances, you name it. All of these examples can have detrimental effects.
The Placebo/Nocebo Effect and the Subconscious Mind:
The subconscious mind is like a recording device that is constantly playing suggestions on a loop. Most of our subconscious programs are thought to be recorded during the first seven years of life. What kind of suggestions are playing in your mind? In the minds of your loved ones?
What if the suggestions playing are all worst-case scenarios? Or that nothing works out? Or that healing isn’t possible? How limiting would that make our reality? Is it possible that treatments won’t work as well as they would otherwise if we have limiting subconscious programs about the matter? Is it possible that if we already have nocebo-type subconscious programs, then our conscious and unconscious minds are more susceptible to the nocebo effect? Or that the nocebo effect will be greater than if we didn’t have those limiting subconscious patterns? Is it possible that if we have nocebo-type subconscious programs, then our conscious and unconscious minds are less susceptible to the placebo effect? Or that the placebo effect will be less potent than if we didn’t have those limiting subconscious patterns?
On the other side, what if the suggestions playing are all best-case scenarios? Or that things work out? Or that healing is possible? Or that we are resilient? Or that we can recover? Is it possible that treatments work better than imagined if we have beneficial subconscious programs about the matter? Is it possible that if we already have placebo-type subconscious programs, then our conscious and unconscious minds are more susceptible to the placebo effect? Or that the placebo effect will be greater than if we didn’t have those beneficial subconscious patterns? Is it possible that if we have placebo-type subconscious programs, then our conscious and unconscious minds are less susceptible to the nocebo effect? Or that the nocebo effect will be less potent than if we didn’t have those beneficial subconscious patterns?
With all of this said, for those in chronic pain or in chronic conditions of some kind or in some other serious situation, this post isn’t to downplay the seriousness of what you are going through. This also isn’t suggesting that any of this will “resolve” anything. Perhaps by changing some subconscious beliefs, an alteration in perception happens, allowing for there to be a slight improvement in pain interpretation. It may not. I make these suggestions regarding subconscious work because it’s something we can actively take part in and it’s something that doesn’t have negative side effects. If this doesn’t help, major props for giving it a try. If it does help, major props for giving it a try.
Below are some suggestions of beneficial suggestions you can test to see if your subconscious mind agrees with them. While the placebo/nocebo effect probably influences every aspect of our lives, a lot of statements here reflect more health-based statements due to keeping with the theme of the references used in this post. You can use pendulum test, sway test, muscle test, and/or body check test to check if your subconscious mind agrees with the statements. More suggestions can be found in the beneficial beliefs chart in the ebook “Revealing Your Diamond.”
If there is a statement your subconscious doesn’t agree with, you can use Crossy-Cross Position, Cross-Crawl Maneuver, or Figure 8s with Arms to integrate the statement into your subconscious mind. Descriptions of how to perform those can be found in Aim for Average blog.
As you’re incorporating the beneficial statement, if heavy or uncomfortable feelings come up, feel them, honor them, thank them, and then allow them to pass. If you feel the feelings won’t go away, there may be more that needs to be uncovered in order to incorporate that statement into your subconscious. Journal work and seeking a professional would be a good idea. If your mind tries to argue with you about incorporating the statement, speak to your mind with the compassion and understanding you would a child. If you can’t resolve it with your mind, there may be more that needs to be done. Again, journal work and seeking a professional would be advisable.
- Beneficial outcomes occur in my life the majority of the time.
- I acknowledge and analyze my perceptions.
- I allow beneficial events to happen in my life.
- I allow beneficial outcomes to happen in my life.
- I am a miracle.
- I am aware of my perceptions.
- I am miraculous.
- I am resilient.
- I am strong.
- I care about my friends’ well-being.
- I care about my loved ones’ well-being.
- I chose friends who care about my well-being.
- I chose loved ones who care about my well-being.
- I chose professionals who care about my well-being.
- I chose professionals who help me.
- I chose professionals who prioritize my well-being.
- I chose providers who care about my well-being.
- I chose providers who help me heal.
- I chose providers who prioritize my well-being.
- I create beneficial events in my life.
- I create beneficial outcomes in my life.
- I create beneficial situations in my life.
- I find professionals who help me.
- I find providers who help me.
- I heal my life.
- I heal to the best of my ability.
- I heal.
- I improve my life.
- I mend.
- I prioritize my health and well-being.
- I recover.
- I repair my life.
- It is okay for me to change my perceptions.
- It is okay for me to look at situations from different perspectives.
- It is safe for me to change my perceptions.
- It is safe for me to heal.
- It is safe for me to recover.
- Most situations in my life are best-case scenarios.
- My body heals.
- My body is my friend.
- My body recovers to the best of its ability.
- My mind heals.
- My mind is my friend.
- My spirit heals.
- My spirit is my friend.
References:
- Harvard Health Publishing. (2019, August 3.). The power of the placebo effect. Harvard Health. https://www.health.harvard.edu/mental-health/the-power-of-the-placebo-effect.
- Seladi-Schulman, J. (2020, February 13). Placebo Effect: What It Is, Examples, and More. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/placebo-effect.
- WebMD. (n.d.). The Placebo Effect: What Is It? WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/what-is-the-placebo-effect.
- Sheldrake, R. (2012). Science set free: dispelling dogma. Crown Pub.
- MEDSAFE. (2019, March 7). The nocebo effect. MEDSAFE. https://medsafe.govt.nz/profs/PUArticles/March2019/The%20nocebo%20effect.htm.
- Condon, D. (2018, September 28). People can die if they give up on life. Irish Health. http://www.irishhealth.com/article.html?level=4&id=26375.
- Jensen, K. B., Kaptchuk, T. J., Kirsch, I., Raicek, J., Lindstrom, K. M., Berna, C., Gollub, R. L., Ingvar, M., & Kong, J. (2012). Nonconscious activation of placebo and nocebo pain responses. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 109(39), 15959–15964. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1202056109