There is a fascinating article in the Sunday NY Times today about a little know doppleganger to the placebo effect….and it’s called the NOCEBO effect.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/12/opinion/sunday/beware-the-nocebo-effect.html
In the placebo effect, the power of positive suggestion can make an inert medication have beneficial effects, but the contra-effect is also possible; by negative suggestion, we can see negative effects occur.
I found this idea fascinating as it encompasses the issue with all of the warnings portrayed in medication advertisements on TV. After the commercial touts all of the potential benefits of the medication, the manufacturer is required to mention all of the negative effects to be aware of, thus negating the potential benefits of ‘positive thinking.’ This is similarly seen in the warning material provided now with every prescription we receive at the pharmacy. I often tell people that the list of warnings they are handed would scare me off of taking medication too….that’s why I don’t read them!
Henny Youngman is quoted as saying……”When I read about the evils of drinking, I gave up READING!” I agree.
Let’s keep our perspective in the positive people. It can make the biggest difference in our health.