"Choices are the hinges of destiny."– Pythagoras
Placebo experiments illustrate mind- body nicely. Likely, most of you have heard of research, incorporating placebos. Typically, when testing the efficiency of a drug to combat symptoms, the patient or guinea pig was put into one of three trials. In one trial, a real drug was used with a group of patients, while in the other group of patients; they were given a placebo or an inert sugar pill. The researchers then evaluated the efficiency of the real drug comparing it to the placebo. The manufacturers, of course, hoped that the “real drug” statistically outperformed the placebo. Let us take a look at a few studies.
*In one study, patients with irritable bowel syndrome were given a placebo. They were told that the pill was inert but they were part of a mind- body process experiment. Guess what? Even these placebo patients reported feelings of relief, a reduction in symptoms and an improved quality of life. How was that for mind power?
In another study, hotel room attendants were told, by the experimenters, that their jobs provided a good workout. These subjects not only reduced their weight, but reduced their blood pressure and body fat as well. Did you believe that? Is that all you need is for someone in a white coat to tell you?
To be continued:
0 comments:
Post a Comment