Harness the Power of the Placebo Effect
If you doubt the power of belief - even for just one moment - you are forsaking your most powerful ally: your brain.
I recently read a research study, Placebo Sleep Affects Cognitive Functioning, in which researchers made up this elaborate ruse to convince people who got a bad night's sleep that they actually got a good night's sleep. Here's a bit of what the researchers told their test subjects...
(Participants were) informed of a new technique whereby the previous night’s percentage of REM sleep could be determined by measuring the lingering biological measurements of heart rate, pulse, and brainwave frequency the next day.
P.S. This is all nonsense.
Sure enough, sleep-deprived subjects who were told they slept soundly actually performed better on the PASAT test of auditory attention and speed of processing.
This, of course, is yet another instance of the placebo effect. Researchers Christina Draganich and Kristi Erdal point out that while the placebo effect is commonly thought of in the context of drugs, it can also extend to many elements of everyday life:
- Intoxication
- Weight loss
- Rash reaction to fake poison ivy
- Altered neurochemical activity in Parkinson's disease
When it comes to the placebo effect, the details matter, in ways that are difficult to anticipate. One study, for example, found that test subjects only demonstrated an increase in mental acuity when they paid full price for an energy drink they believed would improve their mental acuity. Those who paid a discounted price saw no benefit (Shiv, Carmon, and Ariely, 2005).
In short, you don't need caffeine to wake up. You don't need a good night's sleep to feel rested. You just need a credible researcher in a professional setting to tell you that you got what you need. In short, you have to believe that good things are headed your way.
My goal isn't to educate you about the placebo effect (or to demonstrate just how manipulative researchers can be in the name of science).
No, my goal is to stress the power of belief.
If you believe you will fail, you will fail. If you fear sickness, you may well fall ill. If you feel your career is headed nowhere, it will probably head nowhere.
The first step to health, success, achievement and progress is to believe. But don't take on this challenge by yourself. Surround yourself with credible evidence that good things are headed your way. Spend time in the company of positive, supportive people. Research techniques that you believe will work for you. Do whatever it takes to build a strong belief in your mind that success is in your future.
BELIEVE IN YOURSELF!
To help you do that, here's more on the placebo effect:
Bruce Kasanoff is a ghostwriter for entrepreneurs, executives and social innovators. Learn more at Kasanoff.com. He is the author of How to Self-Promote without Being a Jerk.
Image: Seattle Municipal Archives/Flickr
I edit high-value documents for organizations and leaders
10 年I've used the power of belief for some time, convincing myself that I really 'want' to spend the day researching and writing (to complete 3 theses), not to mention convincing myself that I 'want' to go for a run (to complete 2 marathons) just by the simple act of putting on my gear and looking at myself in a mirror. Thanks for this, Bruce Kasanoff. I would only further emphasize just how useful the placebo effect is against the (sometimes equally strong) pull of procrastination!
There are not many things in this world, as powerful, as the belief of a human heart !
Senior Marketer Expertise in Marketing Strategy, Communication & Brand Development with a Proven Track Record ? 10+ Years Head of Marketing ? Founder of Branding Studio
10 年The weird part here is that even we understand how placebo works, it still works! I play ice hockey and actually perform better after one redbull. Know it's just in my brain. But it works anyway.
National Accounts Manager, currently seeking independent sales rep agencies in various locations within the USA to represent our products
10 年Makes me think about a kooky "alternative medicine" friend who is always shoveling some new herbal remedy at me. Ironically, many double blind studies find that all these herbal remedies mimic the placebo effect.