The brain is more powerful than we know. Our subconscious consists of inert knowledge of no known origin, yet also blind and impulsive desires. Once intuition leads you astray a few times, trusting your gut becomes difficult.
The mind contains our language and consciousness, yet also mountains of mystery. One of the brain’s many mysteries is the placebo effect: a beneficial feeling produced from fake medical treatment. Circumstantially, a placebo heals as effectively as a real treatment. Though they are not a cure-all, they do make you feel better. This trick fools us time and time again. No one escapes placebos. Their presence in our lives slips under the surface without our knowledge.
Beauty’s Bias
Cosmetic companies profit heavily from the placebo effect. Many of the beloved products on our shelves wrapped in shiny packaging contain little real benefit besides being pleasing to the eye.
Be wary of falling for these marketing schemes by researching the ingredients in a product before purchasing it. This brief action saves you from potential disappointment and financial ruin.
Fake It Until You Make It
Growing confidence can be a difficult prospect. This requires natural talent combined with an unfounded sense of ability. The use of a placebo helps to develop the courage to explore new opportunities and relationships. In research settings, the effective nature of placebos relies on the recipient’s ignorance. Is oblivion necessary for naturally occurring placebos, or do we have the power to create our own?
The simple act of taking a pill, even when it’s known to contain only sugar, fools the brain into thinking it is getting treatment. The act of giving attention to healthy living rituals plays a similar trick on the mind. Your sense of confidence stems from a belief in capability. Installing habits into your daily life that boost this belief provides a natural placebo.
Manifest Destiny
A 2015 study found that when people took an active placebo their depression symptoms decreased. PET scans showed increased brain activity in areas associated with emotion and stress regulation. This activity corresponded with an improved response to the future use of antidepressants.
The word ‘placebo’ translated from Latin means “I shall please.” Applying this phrase to an action assists it in becoming true. Whether the mantra works relies on your ability to suspend your disbelief regarding personal obstacles.
Placebos prove the sheer power of anticipation. Placed too high or too low, expectations change the scope of any outcome.
Share your experience with the placebo effect with VALLEY on X @VALLEYmag.
