Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Another soul is saved with your bogus medications
Dr. Colbert (M.F.A haha) discussing the power of the Placebo Effect and he reports that placebos are getting more effective. But of course, it's all because of the sugar.
It may come as a surprise but I love science. I always have been fascinated by what humans have figured out thus far about ourselves and this wild universe we're in. Leave it to the education system to nearly squash my curiosity and interest with science fairs. Acquiring knowledge by experimentation shouldn't be a competition. In 7th grade, somehow I came up with a wonderful idea for an experiment that didn't involve months of growing plants or nearly shocking myself with electricity. I was a procrastinator and this project wouldn't involve much time or work at all. It was absolutely genius. On a very small level, I would try to teach my peers about the Placebo effect. This commonly used medical procedure seemed unbelievable to me at the time. I could never have known then it would still amaze me now. Patients were secretly split into two groups (in Scientific Method language: 'control' & 'variable' :shiver:), one group receiving the real drug and the other given a sugar pill. Because the patient completely believes that the pill he/she is given will make them better, even if it is a sugar pill, his/her condition often improves. This is the Placebo effect. Crazy stuff, if you really think about it. At 12 years old, I tried it out by giving 2nd graders granola bars, slightly less scientific I know. I timed each one running from one point to another. I talked up my 'energy' bars and told them once they ate them, their speed would increase. I can't remember but I think a few times did go down. I'm not the best sales person though so even at 7, the 2nd graders may have seen through me. Anyway, I made a colorful board with bar graphs, did a presentation and got an average grade, which has always been good enough for me as long as I learned something.
The power of thought is a subject that has continued to captivate me. My cousin Jenny has absolutely transformed her entire life by changing the way she thinks. For many, this is really hard to wrap your mind around. I've known her since she began dating my cousin (now her husband) Ray over ten years ago so I've seen her story unfold. I remember hearing about her being sick often, which would make me sad because she'd miss family gatherings or we'd have to cancel visits. She was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, an incredibly painful disease, on top of raising two children. Three years ago, everything changed. She is no longer on medicine for her illness, feels no effects of it and has totally healed her life. Jenny has become a whole new person. It's amazing! I'd find it hard to believe it if I hadn't known her. She has a very popular blog on the subject and I wouldn't be surprised to see her on television or the best-sellers list one day!
I've been doing a lot of research on this phenomenon. With the popularity of 'The Secret', there are many websites, book and programs out there about it. I recently watched a PBS special called "Excuses Begone!", a lecture by Dr. Wayne Dyer. I've read "The Power of Intention" (SO GOOD) and if you are at all interested in strength that lies within your thoughts and beliefs, I highly suggest checking it out. He mentioned an experiment that involved a placebo affect in knee surgery. One group got knee surgery, the other got scars but no surgery and they all improved! Here's a video about it.
I know this all may sound new age-y or too 'out there' to be true (my father's voice that needs to be removed from my head) but what's the harm in investigating a little? Maybe this is all really obvious to you, in that case, awesome! You've already found "the secret". Personally, I've been battling negative thoughts for a long time now. I'm not sure why it seems right or safer to be skeptical and cynical about things but you only end up miserable. I haven't reached the place of the enlightenment and my ego is still alive and kicking but life is journey and each passing moment is another chance to turn it around.
'When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change'.
-Dr. Wayne Dyer
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this quote at the end needs to go on my mirror.... and I def want to read The Power of Intention
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