In this ongoing series, I am discussing the Cliff Notes version of what I didn’t learn in medical school and what I have learned about healing from my own research and self-study since completing my medical training. If you have not yet read the first 10 revelations about healing that I didn’t learn in medical school, please read Part 1 here, Part 2 here, Part 3 here, Part 4 here, Part 5 here, and Part 6 here. You can learn more and register for INSPIRED here.
42. The Placebo Effect Still Works
The placebo effect, a mysterious phenomenon scientists have known about since the birth of evidence-based medicine in the 1950s, remains a mysterious but powerful force. Research suggests that somewhere between 20-80% of people (typically about ⅓) of patients given any treatment in a scientific study would get better, regardless of the actual treatment they receive. Harvard Professor Ted Kaptchuk’s research indicates that the placebo effect is more than just positive thinking- it involves the rituals of treatment, the therapeutic relationship, and the brain’s connection with the body. Even simply engaging in the rituals of healthy living might produce some of the effects of a placebo. The placebo effect has been shown to be most effective for conditions like pain management, stress-related insomnia, and cancer treatment side effects like fatigue and nausea.
43. The Placebo Effect May Be Linked To Ritual and Group Bonding
Some scientists believe that the placebo effect may be more than just belief or changing the nervous system’s perception of symptoms. Researcher William Bengston, PhD, theorizes that “resonant bonding” may offer part of the explanation for the placebo effect. He suggests that participants in a research study who are in some way bonded may impact the control (placebo) group who do not receive the treatment. The mechanism of action of how this works is still unknown, but it could explain why patients bonded through a scientific study may have a healing impact on others.
44. Reclaim the Feminine Principle and Your Animist Roots
We were all Indigenous once. Every one of our ancestors had a closer connection to the earth and nature. With the rise of modern medicine, we have lost access to the lineage of people who were empathic and connected to nature’s rhythms. Reclaiming these more feminine principle parts of ourselves can facilitate healing, whether we are patients or medical providers.
The Six Steps To Healing Yourself
Step One: Believe Healing Is Possible
Grounded, ethical hope is important, but too much positive belief, ungrounded in reality and science, can be harmful. Finding a balance between acceptance of reality and holding onto hope is crucial for maximizing health outcomes.
