Healing through psychological state of mind? (Possible?)?

Question

Is it possible for someone to be cured simply by believing that they are being cured?

For example, let's say someone has a headache or the common cold. If that person wants to take some form of consumable medicine such as a pill to get rid of the illness, could he or she be cured, even if what the person consumed was of no higher medical significance than water, simply by being in a psychological state of mind (whether it'd be conscience or subconscience) that the medicine will do as "directed" and get rid of the illness.

(My question is with the assumption that there is a cure for the common cold).

LET ME KNOW IF ANYONE NEDDS ANY CLARIFYCATION ON WHAT I'M ASKING BECAUSE I'M NOT SO SURE I EXPLAINED IT SO CLEARLY!

Answer 1

Most illnesses or symptoms such as a cold, or a headache are self limited.

There absolutely is a mind body connection,,,we know this through studying the placebo effect.  It is real, has a solid physiologic and biochemical explanation that fits with what we already know about the body.  It works best with pain not so much increased rate of healing. The endorphins (endogenous opiates) released also may make people feel more relaxed...which is another common claim of Alt Med.

The placebo response is the effect behind the some of the success of things like acupuncture and therapeutic touch....well almost the entirety of Alt Med actually.

There is no evidence that one can meditate and wounds heal faster, or diabetes is controlled, or cancer go into remission.

There is no evidence that "positive thinking" has any effect on outcomes. They have done many studies on cancer and other types of patients...had them think positive things, do directed imagery etc...and there was no difference in rates of morbidity, mortality, or remission between those who had positive thoughts, and those who were more negative.  It's just an urban legend.

So, the answer to your question is yes, but it is a limited effect, and mostly related to lessening the sensation of pain.

(Morphine and lidocaine still work better and faster though)

Answer 2

As far as mental health is concerned yes it can directly affect physical health as well. It has nothing to do with the placebo affect. A placebo works through the power of suggestion. One's mental state can directly affect how healthy they are, or one's ability to heal themselves.

For example people who are depressed or suffer from anxiety have a much higher risk of getting a serious disease like heart conditions or cancer. This is because when the body is stressed it produces stress hormones. Stress hormones keep the body in "survival mode", which really taxes the body, wares it down. This means one probably is not getting good sleep, they are not eating well or doing other healthy things. And if they drink or use drugs, then their health is even worse. Stress hormones also increase free radicals, rouge particles that can damage cellular tissue. More free radicals can mean a greater risk of health problems.

On the other hand people who are positive and happy statistically live longer, more quality lives.

Answer 3

Definitely Yes, I have experienced this myself. Many things are mental. I am for the most part sober. It is more mental than one might imagine. The same way someone can be fed "sugar pills." Some is physical but mental is the *****. Take stigmata, is it the body mentally affecting the body in a physical way or an act of God?

There is a medical disease, that I can not remember the name. It is a mental disorder that can cause physical sores and rashes along with itching. I am positive about this  disorder.

Final Answer: It is possible.

Answer 4

Yes, it is actually rather common for individuals to put themselves in a state of mind to better their health, before taking medication, even herbal conditioners. This state of mind is called "positive thinking" or "mental healing." Some individuals have this mindest stronger than others. The human mind is a very powerful tool, those that can harness it better than others can accomplish much more than the common person. For instance, a person who not only has mental healing, but can also succeed particularly well in other aspects of their life, especially when it comes to concentration. In fact, this person's concentration levels are so strong, they can effectively move an object with their mind...(psychokinesis).

This is just to say though. The answer is my friend, yes, it is true that an individual can think themselves better. In fact, I would thoroughly recommend it before going to see your physician. Many doctors these days as a matter of fact cannot treat the most common things, viral infections, most commonly known as the (common cold), even bacterial infections. All of these types of things, including allergy infections and sinusitis have to take their course. But, as always, there will be those people who take medications for because they believe there is nothing that can be done except through medicine, whether or not they believe or not in the power of mind over matter. Because that's what it essentially is, "mind-over-matter."

There is also the other common tale of mind-over-matter, or I should actually say the cultural boundaries. Many religions do not allow medication. The belief in allowing a sickness to subside on its own or through the strict belief in prayer can and has taken its toll on those select persons. One such religion is Christian Science, not (Scientology).

I hope this may have answered your question.

Have a nice day.

Answer 5

It's quite possible to be able to heal yourself through your state of mind.

Answer 6

Yes, this is a well established and generally accepted effect in medicine known as the Placebo Effect (link below).

Briefly this is when a person taking a sugar pill (no medicine) improves the same (sometimes better and faster) than a person taking a pill that contains actual medication.

There are some some medical studies that also show that hypnosis and guided imagery can be effective in at least managing and reducing the side effects of harsh medical treatments for conditions such as cancer (link below).

Psiexploration

Answer 7

It happens all the time. Basically, what you're describing is the very definition of the placebo effect.

So, with proper training, you can deliberately apply the placebo effect to your advantage.

Might as well.

--Vince

© 2007 Rev. James Vinson Wingo, DD

http://huna.blogspot.com

Answer 8

I think Psiexploration has the right answer. I also know that I can just THINK about taking medicine sometimes and get better. I'm always glad I waited to take it.  I've also had symptoms that I would have thought were side effects of medications...if I had taken them. Not to say I don't take medicine. I do. I think it's wonderful that we have medicine to take. These were just  times  that I happened to wait...or didn't have it on hand.

Answer 9

There's something called the placebo effect.

Experiments have been conducted testing the efficacy of acupuncture.  One I know of involved a group of people who experience hand pain.  A percentage of people who received both the "real" and the fake acupuncture reported feeling better.  However, the objective tests did not indicate an improvement in the condition.  They felt better (temporarily), but they weren't able to grip any stronger.

So if your symptoms are general and non-specific, like a headache, a placebo can offer temporary relief.  However, a placebo would never eliminate objective symptoms like a tumor or a broken bone.

Answer 10

Psychologically being healed by   Pseudo  means IS REAL.

Because  the mind  is able to create pain called Somati pain, which is basically your brain tricking you into thinking you are injured or hurt-So you Trick the  brain into believing it is cure.

This happens more in third world countries where they don't have the understanding of somatic pain...(western society  doesnt get this as much).

So my psych teachers will say, if someone is siffering from  that kind of pain and they see a psychic healer than it works..and that's GOOD. it's real pain for them and it is cured.

so yah, tricking the brain is real..and sometimes is a good thing.

That being said, I do believe in other spiritual forms of healing :)