By Landon Nayoan —
Two sets of maids were given different advice, one that their normal cleaning duties fulfilled the surgeon general’s recommended daily exercise quota. The other group were told it wasn’t enough.
At the end of the 4-week scientific survey, the first group had lower weight, lower blood pressure and lower body mass index.
Their thinking affected their body, psychologists say.
“Studies demonstrate that the mind can mobilize the body’s healing properties,” says Gina Simmons Schneider Ph.D. “Begin by harnessing your beliefs in the service of your health and well-being.”
The Bible admonishes Christians to believe in order to receive a miracle of healing. Curiously, recent scientific data appears to corroborate the Bible’s teaching, though they approach it from the secular point of view.
A 2009 study found that a patient with giant cancer tumors improved based on what he was told, not based on the meds he was given.
The tumors were in his armpits, groin and abdomen, and doctors gave him only days to live. He was admitted to the testing of an “experimental drug.” Initially, his tumors disappeared.
When later he learned that the drug failed in clinical trials, his tumors returned.
After that, doctors told him they were giving him a “double strength” medication (when in fact it was only a placebo), and the tumors vanished again.
Eventually, he read that the drug he took was worthless. He died days later (Vernillo, A. 2009).
“Our expectations about medical treatments influence how the body responds to treatment,” Simmons Schneider says.
Then there’s the milkshake study. Participants were given the same milkshake (380 calories). But they were told it was a “sensible milkshake” of 140 calories.
The next time they came to the lab, they were given the same shake but told it was an “indulgent milkshake” with 620 calories.
Scientists found the hunger hormone, ghrelin, spiked when they drank the “sensible shake.” They got hungry earlier – based only on what they were told.
In another study, people allergic to peanuts experienced milder symptoms when they were told the side effects would be milder.
Students in MIT’s ROTC experienced better vision in a flight simulator when they took the role of piloting than other students.
In all these studies, what you are told to believe and what you think influences the actual phenomenon experienced in your body.
Psychologists call this the mind-body connection. Christians call it semi-confirmation of the Bible.
Jesus said, Everything is possible for one who believes (Mark 9:23).
Source: Psychology Today.
