Part III: The power of the mind!
Early in my pharmacy careerš©āāļø, I filled a prescription written by an older doctor. I was a young pharmacist, and incredulous at what I was about to fillā¦ā¦ sugar pills. No, they werenāt pills for diabetes. These were flat out simple white pills made of pressed sugar and probably some other inert ingredients. My older co-worker pharmacist told me this particular patient had been getting them for years to help with her anxiety. Oh really?Ā I thoughtā¦. This gal must be crazy. (again, the young naive pharmacist waving her newbie flag). Turns out, she wasnāt crazy, and the doctor was brilliant.Ā
The āplacebo effectā isnāt a new thing. In fact, itās been around since Methuselah. The mind is a powerful toolā¦. More effective than we give it credit for. Hundreds (if not thousands!) of studies confirm that our body responds to what we believe and what we tell ourselvesā¦. Regardless if it’s that quiet mind chatter or if we outright talk to ourselves out loudā¦. our beliefs and our words (spoken or not) shape emotional and sensory perceptions. We truly ARE what we think we are.Ā
Western medicine acknowledges this as a fact, but rarely utilizes it as a way to jump start the healing process. Migraines, pain, arthritis, asthma, allergies, ADHD,Ā high blood pressure, IBS,Ā and depression are just a few dis-eases that have been shown to be responsiveĀ to the placebo effect.
Placeboās arenāt just in pill form either. A 2014 study in Oxford University looked at 53 trials that compared surgical intervention to placebo. In 74% (39 out of 53) of the trials, there was improvement in the placebo surgery.
The placebo effect works in multiple ways. In addition to the psychological aspect of āwe are what we think we areā, “believing” also plays an active role within certain neurotransmitter functionsā¦. Including the dopamine, opioid, serotonin, and endocannabinoid (think CBD) systems. In essence, merely believing that you will feel better activates the body into helping you do just that.Ā
Our bodies WANT to heal, and perhaps our minds have just not been taught how to participate!Ā
So if a certain degree of healing can occur simply by teaching someone how to use their own tools available to them (the power of self āprescribedā positive vibesā¦.ie: the physics and biology of frequency!!),Ā why arenāt more western medicine doctors AND insurance companies educating their patients about this?Ā Ā Certainly proper eating habits, hydration, and exercise should be added to this list as well. #chalkituptoprofitĀ
The sad truth is thisā¦.. because we are an āinstaā country, positivity, slow food, and exercise donāt generally fall into the āinstaā bucket of western medicine. Positivity is cultivated by close friendships and/or family with a healthy portion of gratitude and kindness, and dare I say itā¦ a faith that produces peace that passes all understanding.Ā It is a learned character trait that ANYONE can master should they desire to do so.Ā
Western medicine should be our safety net, not a quick fix.Ā Ā Ā
Mind over matterā¦ matters.Ā Ā
šWhatās next? Part IVā¦. Body, how do you heal thyself? š
Xoxo~ liz
If youād like to learn more about the power of our minds, I highly suggest Dr. Carolyn Leafās books (Who Switched off my Brain and others!)
#knowbetterdobetter
#sharingiscaring
#powerinthinking
#ThanksYL
