Page 3 - Newsletter 2014 Summer Flip
P. 3
GUEST ARTICLE
Placebos and Nocebos
N. E. Fradkin
A placebo is usually a medication, treatment or words that is effective only because it is suggested
(or promised) to be and you believe it is (consciously or unconsciously). Did you realize that the
vast majority of cures and remedies on the market are effectively placebos?
A placebo is essentially an unreal Rx for treating an unreal illness (unreal means it's all in the
mind). It makes perfect sense, doesn't it? So perhaps if you don’t believe in the diagnosis, you
won't need the treatment. And it can be costly.
Note: The etimology of the term diagnosis comes from 2 Greek roots, "di" meaning two and
"agnosis" meaning to not know. In other words, originally a diagnosis meant that both the
patient and physician didn't really know what the condition was. So the patient was not
given a diagnosis (as they are today); they had a diagnosis—until the etiology was
discovered.
***
A diagnosis is one form of what is called a nocebo. A nocebo is basically the opposite of a
placebo. A nocebo is something that causes a disease (dis-at-ease) or makes you ill because it is
suggested (or threatened) that it will (overtly or covertly) and you believe it (consciously or
unconsciously). In other words, believing in (or catching - as Rhondell would say) a diagnosis can
make you sick.
***
So if you were to stop believing in the disease, you could skip the fictitious cure, a cure that may
be worse than the disease. In fact, a large number of medical conditions (one third or more) are
what are called in the trade "iatrogenic". This means the condition was caused because the
person went to the doctor and/or received treatment.
Of course, all of this does not necessarily apply to physical traumas, treatable infections,
poisoning and the like, or prosthetics (i.e. eyeglasses, hearing aids, necessary attachments and
implants). And until you can become aware enough to take charge of your beliefs, it is perhaps
best to see the doctor and use his/her prescription wisely. And sometimes get a second and third
opinion.
***
The mind's ability to affect the body, affect itself and its suggestibility is immense.
***
Placebos and nocebos aren't just prevalent in the healing arts but are also widespread in the
arenas of politics, big business, religion and self improvement. These institutions may not be
nearly as concerned with your well being as they are with their own.
The bottom line is Wake up in the dream, become aware and take charge because you may not
have as much (or any) free will as you believe you do.
www.harmonyworkshop.com 3
Placebos and Nocebos
N. E. Fradkin
A placebo is usually a medication, treatment or words that is effective only because it is suggested
(or promised) to be and you believe it is (consciously or unconsciously). Did you realize that the
vast majority of cures and remedies on the market are effectively placebos?
A placebo is essentially an unreal Rx for treating an unreal illness (unreal means it's all in the
mind). It makes perfect sense, doesn't it? So perhaps if you don’t believe in the diagnosis, you
won't need the treatment. And it can be costly.
Note: The etimology of the term diagnosis comes from 2 Greek roots, "di" meaning two and
"agnosis" meaning to not know. In other words, originally a diagnosis meant that both the
patient and physician didn't really know what the condition was. So the patient was not
given a diagnosis (as they are today); they had a diagnosis—until the etiology was
discovered.
***
A diagnosis is one form of what is called a nocebo. A nocebo is basically the opposite of a
placebo. A nocebo is something that causes a disease (dis-at-ease) or makes you ill because it is
suggested (or threatened) that it will (overtly or covertly) and you believe it (consciously or
unconsciously). In other words, believing in (or catching - as Rhondell would say) a diagnosis can
make you sick.
***
So if you were to stop believing in the disease, you could skip the fictitious cure, a cure that may
be worse than the disease. In fact, a large number of medical conditions (one third or more) are
what are called in the trade "iatrogenic". This means the condition was caused because the
person went to the doctor and/or received treatment.
Of course, all of this does not necessarily apply to physical traumas, treatable infections,
poisoning and the like, or prosthetics (i.e. eyeglasses, hearing aids, necessary attachments and
implants). And until you can become aware enough to take charge of your beliefs, it is perhaps
best to see the doctor and use his/her prescription wisely. And sometimes get a second and third
opinion.
***
The mind's ability to affect the body, affect itself and its suggestibility is immense.
***
Placebos and nocebos aren't just prevalent in the healing arts but are also widespread in the
arenas of politics, big business, religion and self improvement. These institutions may not be
nearly as concerned with your well being as they are with their own.
The bottom line is Wake up in the dream, become aware and take charge because you may not
have as much (or any) free will as you believe you do.
www.harmonyworkshop.com 3
