The Potential of Mindset & Mind/Body Medicine

 Clearly, we are not robots:  our bodies aren’t machines whose responses and functions are programmed.  Yes, we have certain reflexes and physiological patterns that keep us safe.  Many of those are ‘hardwired’ into our nervous systems to ensure that in a moment of crisis we are able to keep ourselves alive. But outside of those life and death situations, we have a reasonable degree of control over our physiological functioning and well-being.  . . . perhaps even more than we know.

There is real evidence that our mental state, our thoughts and beliefs, even our attitudes can have significant impact over our physical health. Haven’t we all heard stories of that couple that was struggling to conceive but finally opted for adoption only to find themselves pregnant a month or two later?   I don’t think most of us believe it was blind luck.  We  - or at least I - presume that somehow after adopting, the woman relaxed, and her body became ready for the pregnancy. 

To me, this is tremendous illustration of the power of ‘mind-body medicine.'  This burgeoning field is shedding a new and very scientific light on how ‘mindset’ and attitudes can serve as a potent catalyst for healing.  In this post, I  try to provide a very brief introduction to this exciting area of research that has been influenced by psychologists, geneticists, and medical biologists.  Specifically, in this post I touch on the contributions of such luminaries as Professor Ellen Langer at Harvard, Dr. Jeffrey Bland, co-founder of the Institute for Functional Medicine, and Dr, Joe Dispenza, the author of the New York Times best-selling books Evolve Your Brain: The Science of Changing Your Mind and Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself: How to Lose Your Mind and Create a New One.

Let’s start with Dr. Langer’s work. Dr. Langer is a renowned psychologist and professor at Harvard University; indeed, she was the first woman to realise tenure in the Psychology Department at Harvard.  Throughout her career, Dr. Longer has dedicated herself to unraveling the mysteries of mindfulness and its impact on health.  Time and again, she has demonstrated through her research the remarkable capacity of the mind to influence physical outcomes. Her work underscores the profound connection between perception and physiological responses, highlighting clearly how altering our mindset can pave the way for healing and vitality.

One of her seminal studies involved elderly men, whom she invited to participate in a week-long ‘immersive’ study, living in a controlled environment. By immersing themselves for an extended period (~ 5 days) in an environment explicitly designed to recreate their youth, these study subjects truly became younger.    Their environment was replete with cues of days past.  For example, it featured the music and memorabilia from their high school, magazines that were published at during their college years, clothes, furniture, and housewares - like black and white TVs - that they would have had in their homes when they were young.  Fascinatingly, being exposed to these reminders of their youth,  the participants exhibited tangible improvements in their physical health.  They literally returned to themselves at that age.  Remarkably, their grip strength increased, posture improved, and even their cognitive functions showed enhancement. 

In an interview with the New York Times, Langer expressed a certain frustration with our current medical paradigm.  She said that  “[it is believed that ]the only way to get sick is through the introduction of a pathogen, and the only way to get well is to get rid of it.” Her research clearly suggests otherwise.  What we think about ourselves and our capabilities, i.e., our mindset, can also have a powerful impact on our health.

This finding was confirmed in a second study conducted in 2007.  This time, Dr. Langer looked closely at the impact of beliefs, mindset, and exercise on the health and well-being of hotel chambermaids.  Two matched groups of maids were studied.  One group was provided with education on physical movement and on the US Surgeon General’s recommendations on daily exercise, and informed that their work more than met those recommendations.  They were convincingly told that their work was physically demanding and as a consequence quite beneficial for their health.  The second group received no such information.  Apparently, over the next four week period, neither group changed their lifestyle.  There were no significant changes in food intake, sleep, or activity levels, but over this four week period the ‘informed’ group saw significant improvement in their weight and blood pressure as well their body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip ratio compared to the control group.   In short, the ‘informed’ group who became aware that they were actually living reasonably active lives became demonstrably healthier. 

When interviewed about the study, Dr. Langer said, “What this study shows is that your mindset about what you’re doing can trump the reality of what you’re doing. If you believe that your job is a form of exercise, it increases your health, even if you’re not going to the gym after work.”

It’s not just psychologists who are interested in the power of mindset, however. Dr. Jeffrey Bland, a pioneer in functional medicine, has a very similar interest in the intricate interplay between mindset and health. A key difference however is that much of Bland’s research focuses on epigenetics.   Epigenetics posits that our genes are not immutable but rather responsive to environmental factors.  Fascinatingly, ‘environmental factors’ includes not only the weather, our exercise, or our food but also our thoughts and emotions and mindset.  Indeed, through his groundbreaking studies, Bland has examined  how lifestyle factors, such as diet, stress management, and mindset, can modulate gene expression and influence health outcomes. By fostering a positive mindset characterised by optimism, resilience, and a sense of agency, individuals can activate pathways that promote healing and resilience at the molecular level. Bland’s work underscores the empowering notion that we possess the innate ability to shape our health destiny through conscious choices and attitudes.   All of this is brilliantly discussed in one of his recent books, The Disease Delusion.

Another powerful force in this mind-body field, is Dr. Joe Dispenza, a chiropractor and neurologist who has emerged as a leading authority on the transformative power of the mind. Drawing upon principles of quantum physics and neuroplasticity, Dispenza passionately believes that the brain can be rewired through intentional practices such as meditation, visualisation, and mindfulness. Through his workshops and books, such as "Becoming Supernatural" and "You Are the Placebo," Dispenza shares compelling anecdotes of individuals who have defied conventional medical wisdom and healed from chronic illnesses through the power of belief and mindset shifts. By tapping into the body’s innate intelligence and the brain’s capacity for neuroplasticity, Dispenza empowers individuals to break free from limiting beliefs and cultivate a state of coherence that fosters healing on multiple levels.

At the heart of these pioneering insights lies the recognition that the mind is not merely a passive observer but an active participant in the healing process. Our beliefs, attitudes, and perceptions shape our reality in profound ways, influencing everything from our immune function to our resilience in the face of adversity. By cultivating a mindset characterised by optimism, mindfulness, and empowerment, we can harness the body’s innate healing mechanisms and optimise our wellbeing.

Practical strategies for cultivating a healing mindset abound, drawing upon age-old wisdom and modern scientific insights. Mindfulness practices, such as meditation and deep breathing exercises, can help quiet the chatter of the mind and cultivate a sense of inner peace and clarity. Visualisation techniques, where individuals vividly imagine themselves in a state of optimal health and vitality, can activate the brain’s neuroplasticity and pave the way for tangible physiological changes. Affirmations, repeated statements that affirm positive beliefs and intentions, can reprogram the subconscious mind and bolster resilience in the face of challenges.  Fostering a sense of connection and community can also be instrumental in supporting healing journeys. Social support has been shown to buffer against the detrimental effects of stress and enhance resilience, underscoring the importance of nurturing meaningful relationships and fostering a sense of belonging.

The point of all of this is that the power of mindset to support healing  seems to be nothing short of transformative. While of course we are still in the early days, the work of Drs. Langer, Bland, and Dispenza collectively suggests that the mind and body can and should be viewed as integral partners in the journey toward wholeness. By cultivating a mindset characterised by optimism, resilience, and empowerment, we can tap into the body’s innate healing mechanisms and unlock the boundless potential for vitality and wellbeing. Clearly, as we navigate the complexities of life, we should remember that at least one key to healing and transformation is within.