Topic Tuesday #31 2013/02/19 - "Placebo"

Once upon a time a boy who loved a girl was driven to as a question of the object of his affections. He asked, "Should I worry?". The reply was a thoughtful, "Yes.". The boy, who had not been ill in many years, began to get sick. The act of worrying weakened his immune system and made him vulnerable to the ailments he had years before. In hindsight, perhaps some questions are left better unasked, but it did serve as a valuable lesson; your thoughts have an impact on your physical body.

At the heart of this example lies an effect derived from nothing more than thought. Essentially it's a Placebo, but without the pomp and circumstance of psychic surgery, homeopathy, sugar pills, or other chicanery. The mind on it's own is powerful enough without the props to do harm, or to heal.

You don't have to believe me, or the boy, who may or may not have any resemblance to myself...
I have a little trial for you to do. It's not too difficult but it will take some concentration. Perhaps a rubber band around your wrist or something to remind you.

Tomorrow, I want you to smile. Smile for no reason. Smile for every reason. Just smile. Watch the faces of the people you encounter. See what happens to them. Note your mood though the day.
If you slip, its fine, just do it again. And again. And again. You will know you have done well if your face hurts at the end of the day. Attitude is largely a choice. You can worry yourself sick over things that have little to no bearing on things (as I may or may not have in the past) or you can choose to be optimistic and happy.

If you don't believe in placebos, you aren't alone. They do, however, work.

Check out the actual inspiration for this post; Fear and Faith by Derren Brown -

FIRST BROADCAST: 9pm Fri 9 November 2012 C4 DURATION: 47:36

The first part of a two-part event, Fear and Faith is an extraordinary film looking at what happens when people have the experience of fear removed through the use of a powerful new drug.

I acquired a copy, and I hope the BBC won't mind me sharing their fantastic program. - This would be your queue to watch it before I have to take it down.