Can beliefs be powerful?
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Beliefs can indeed be powerful and have a profound impact on our physiology, as discussed by in multiple contexts.
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Belief Effects and Placebo Effects: The placebo effect, where believing in a treatment’s efficacy can cause real physiological changes, is well-documented. However, differentiates this from "belief effects," which are related to specific types of information and mindset. For example, viewing stress as performance-enhancing can lead to better cognitive performance and stress management, as shown in studies by Dr. Ali Crum 1.
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Mindsets and Physiology: Beliefs can directly affect physical health. In one study, hotel workers who believed their daily activities counted as exercise showed significant health improvements such as reduced blood pressure and body weight, compared to those who were simply told their work was important. This demonstrates how mindset can influence physical outcomes 2 3.
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Medical Treatments and Perception: Belief can modify the effectiveness of treatments. For instance, ADHD medication at lower doses can be as effective as higher doses if patients believe they are receiving the same amount. Beliefs about the positive effects of a drug can also make side effects feel less severe and enhance perceived effectiveness 4 5.
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Expectation and Reality: Expectations can intertwine with physiological responses to create our actual experiences. A study involving milkshakes showed that people’s ghrelin (hunger hormone) levels responded to what they believed about the shake’s calorie content, rather than the actual calories consumed 6 7.
In summary, beliefs and expectations shape our physiological and psychological realities, influencing everything from stress to medical treatment outcomes. This highlights the substantial power of mindsets and belief systems in determining our health and performance.
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