The exciting new field of psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) is beginning to uncover fascinating aspects of the interconnected relationship between the mind and body. Studies reveal that our thoughts can affect immune function, blood pressure, stress levels.  Even more amazing is the implication that the power of a positive belief can elicit a cure, and conversely, the power of a negative belief can potentially harm an individual.  This idea is directly linked to the phenomenon of the placebo and nocebo effects, which have led many researchers to ponder the true source of healing. The placebo effect is when an inert substance, like a sugar pill, produces healing in a person because they believe they are receiving necessary medication. Placebos are used in medical studies as a control. The nocebo effect is when an inert substance, like a sugar pill, produces ill health in a person because they believe they are receiving a medicine that may harm them or may cause side effects. Researchers in PNI are studying both phenomenon as evidence that our mind and beliefs have a powerful action on our body.

One often hears the phrase “thoughts are things,” and while some people take great stock in this notion others have dismissed it – perhaps to their detriment. Nevertheless, this is the basis for the study of PNI, which also encompasses the influence of emotions, belief and mental well-being and their respective states of health or disease in the human body.   The studies of Dr. Candace Pert, research professor at Georgetown University’s Department of Physiology and Biophysics, has uncovered biochemical pathways that allow the mind to send signals through the central nervous system and influence the endocrine and immune systems (Lloyd & Dunn, 2007).

Taken one step further, some researchers even assert that every minute cell in our body is not only influenced by our beliefs, feelings, choices and thoughts, but is consciously aware of them (Rao, Asha, Rao, & Vasudevaraju, 2009).  While this concept may seem a stretch of the imagination, consider this well-documented study involving a schizophrenic patient who also exhibited split personalities.  So strong was her belief in these other personalities that not only did her attitude change when she assumed a new personality, but so did her blood glucose level, matching the belief that one of her personalities was diabetic (Rao, Asha, Rao, & Vasudevaraju, 2009).  Other similar cases have revealed actual changes in neurological function, displaying a certain footprint specific to that identity, which continued to change with each new personality.  Remarkably, physical changes have also occurred such as the emergence of a different eye color, allergies or even the appearance or disappearance of scars - all this from that small little word, “belief” (Lipton, 2009).  

Another intriguing example that utilizes the idea of belief is the placebo effect.  The word placebo translates from the Latin phrase as “I shall please.”  It was commonly prescribed from the physician’s medicine box when a patient was convinced they needed medication to cure their ill and the doctor was inclined to appease, or please, their demand (Nuland, 2001).  It must be noted that the placebo effect is not merely attributed to a pill, it can include any therapy or surgery which has no medicinal value yet provokes a healing result.

It is unfortunate that over the years the term as been associated with a lack of credibility in its recipients.  Often, patients who have a placebo response have been considered unstable and weak minded by researchers because of their ability to be manipulated by a therapy which is believed inert (Colloca & Benedetti, 2005).  Researchers Dr. Bruce Barrett and others of the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Wisconsin – Madison, emphatically disagree stating, “If placebos are inert, they can’t cause effects; if placebo effects occur, then placebos cannot be inert” (2006).  With success rates averaging 35%, and in some cases up to 75%, a placebo may be considered anything but inert (Barrett et al., 2006).   Another interesting statistic from Harvard University medical researcher, Herbert Benson, claims that 60% - 90% of diseases show medical improvement with the application of this alternative therapy (Hall, 2009).

In addition to the concept that placebos may actually hold legitimate value for our health is the truly amazing idea that these individuals who are susceptible to its effects may actually be of such strong mind and body that they have unconsciously created a positive outcome in their physiology.  One has to imagine what is possible if we choose to consciously train our minds to create a state of optimal health and healing.  Even from a preventative standpoint, the implications may be truly amazing if we can harness the power of our beliefs.

The idea must be addressed that not all effects of the placebo are beneficial. The nocebo effect relates to the negative consequences one might incur from a placebo.  In such instances, a participant is given information which describes the possible side effects they might experience from an actual medication, yet are only given an inert substance; ultimately, the patient will then create these very side effects even though they are not actually receiving the medication (Groopman, 2003).

What does this mean for the practice of responsible medicine?  Consider the cancer patient who is given a 6 month prognosis, whose life ironically expires about that time; or even a diagnosis in which a patient will never walk again. As Reverend Professor Stephen Wright, professor of nursing at the Faculty of Health and Social Care at St Martin’s College, indicates, “If we are not careful about the way we give bad news, it can become a self-fulfilling prophecy” (2004).

Equally worrisome is the tendency of doctors to casually label patients with a disease even before the results are conclusive.  Likewise, patients seem to demand this label in an effort to know what they are dealing with.  On a cautionary note, it may be wise to refrain from this inclination if possible as it appears we can become easily attached to these disease states.  The more we identify with and internalize them, the more difficult it may be to release them from our identity.

For better or worse, our beliefs could play an intricate and imperative role in the health of our bodies and futures.  As we gain further understanding of these processes it may become more and more difficult to deny our personal responsibility.  Additionally, it may become easier and easier to believe in our personal power. This indeed may be the real miracle and gift – when we can know with ultimate certainty that the power lies within us.  As Dr. Gary Holz, healer and founder of Holz Industries, conveys, “remember, the same miraculous mind that contributed to a state of ill health can play a vital role in getting you out of that state as well” (Holz, 2008).

References

• Barrett, B., Muller, D., Rakel, D., Ragago, D., Marchand, L., and Scheder, J. 2006. Placebo, meaning, and health. Perspectives in Biology and Medicine 49(2): 178-198.
• Colloca, L., and Benedetti, F. 2005. Placebos and painkillers: is mind as real as matter? Nature Reviews Neuroscience 6(7): 545-552.
• Groopman, J. 2003. Trialists have a word for it. Pediatrics 112(6): 1313.
• Hall, H. 2009. The placebo effect. Skeptic 15(1): 56-60.
• Holz, G., & Holz, R. 2008.  Connecting the mind, body & spirit. http://www.holzhealthcenter.com/connecting.htm (accessed April 12, 2010).
• Lipton, B. 2009. Do we need surgery? Or just a faith lift? http://www.brucelipton.com/bookexcerpts/do-we-need-surgery-or-just-a-faith-lift (accessed April 15, 2010).
• Lloyd, L., and Dunn, L. 2007. Mind-body-spirit medicine: interventions and resources. MBS techniques can help patients who are afflicted with a wide variety of chronic conditions. Journal of the American Academy of Physicians Assistants 20(10): 31-35.
• Nuland, S.B. 2001. Mind, body, and the doctor.  American Scholar 70(3): 123.
• Rao, T., Asha, M., Rao, K., and Vasudevaraju, P. 2009.  The biochemistry of belief. Indian Journal of Psychiatry 51(4): 239.
• Wright, S. 2004. Choose carefully: a bad news message can be infused with hope or despair. It depends on the words we choose. Nursing Standard 18(40): 24.