How God Works: The Science Behind Spirituality Healing Rituals: There’s Power in Belief
Dec 12, 2021
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Belief Shapes Healing Beyond Chemistry
- Placebo effects arise when belief about a treatment, not its chemistry, changes outcomes.
- Rituals that build calm and trust create ideal conditions for placebo-driven healing.
Shamanic Knee Ritual Gave Immediate Relief
- Erik Vance experienced immediate knee pain relief after a Mexican shaman sucked on his knee during a ritual.
- The pain relief lasted through the night though the pain returned the next day.
Expectation Reduced Pain In Lab Shock Test
- In an NIH lab Erik Vance felt severe shocks feel much milder when cues signaled lower pain.
- His expectation alone reduced the felt intensity even when the shocks were actually large.