The Power of Placebo Effects and Expectations on Cognitive Functioning

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The power of placebo effects is evident in how people's beliefs about the dosage of a drug can influence their experience, even when all receive the same dose. In a study with nicotine, participants who were told they received different amounts of nicotine showed varying levels of brain activity in the region associated with cognitive functions. This brain activity, modulated by the participants' expectations about the nicotine dosage, ultimately impacted their performance on cognitive tasks. The study highlights that placebo effects are real and can intensify based on the level of expectation individuals have.

In this episode, I discuss placebo and belief and mindset effects — all of which exert a powerful and real influence on our biology and psychology. I discuss how your beliefs and expectation that a certain outcome will occur after taking a substance (or any intervention cause genuine changes in brain and bodily function. I discuss how placebos can change neurotransmitter and hormone release, pain levels, whether the stress response is beneficial or detrimental and more. I also explain how placebo effects can work with traditional drug or behavioral treatments to help improve health outcomes and why some people are more susceptible to placebo effects. By the end of the episode, listeners will understand the placebo effect, how it works, and how beliefs and mindsets can be leveraged toward mental health, physical health, and performance goals.

For show notes, including referenced articles and additional resources, please visit hubermanlab.com.