Making decisions about therapies

January 2007     View PDF     En español

The power of the mind

Studies show that more than one-third of people who receive a placebo (a sugar pill with no medicinal value) receive some of the benefits as people taking a real drug. This is because they believe that what they are taking is good for them.

If you believe that a particular therapy is “poison,” chances are greater that you’ll experience side effects and won’t do as well on that therapy. If you believe that something you’re doing is good for you, chances are greater that you’ll experience benefit and have an overall better experience with the therapy (like fewer side effects). Do not underestimate the power of the mind in health and healing. It can really make a difference!