Today, the focus of my discourse shall center upon the significance of our mindsets in almost every aspect of our lives. Allow me to commence by recounting a narrative concerning a cohort of researchers situated in Italy. A group of patients who were undergoing thoracic surgery were examined by Dr. Fabrizio Benedetti and his colleagues. It is essential to understand that thoracic surgery is a highly invasive medical procedure. Patients undergo anesthesia while surgeons make significant incisions into the muscles of the sides and back to access their hearts and lungs. The onset of pain usually occurs approximately an hour following the anesthesia administration. Fortunately, patients receive potent doses of morphine sulfate, a powerful analgesic. The aforementioned course of action is considered customary in the context of thoracic surgery. However, Dr. Benedetti and his associates introduced a few nuanced modifications to the procedure. Specifically, half of the patients were subjected to a dosage of morphine administered by a physician at their bedside, while the remaining half received an identical amount of morphine via an intravenous injection delivered through a pre-programmed pump. It might be assumed that both categories of patients would encounter identical alleviation, but this assumption was proven incorrect. The group that was administered morphine by the physician communicated noteworthy decreases in their pain levels. In contrast, the other group that received the exact same quantity of morphine but was unaware of it did not appear to attain comparable benefits. Dr. Benedetti and his colleagues did not cease their endeavors at that point. Instead, they applied the aforementioned procedure to assess the efficacy of various other treatments, including those for anxiety, Parkinson's disease, and hypertension. The findings were both noteworthy and consistent. Specifically, when the patients possessed awareness of the treatment and held expectations of its efficacy, the treatment exhibited a high degree of effectiveness. However, when such awareness and expectations were absent, the very same drug, pill, and procedure exhibited attenuated effects, and in certain instances, proved entirely ineffective.
Whilst I was studying at Harvard University, I came across certain studies, and at that time, I had a keen interest in the literature surrounding the placebo effect. As I delved deeper into my research, my contemplation regarding the fundamental essence of placebos began to intensify. The inquiry at hand concerns the true nature of the placebo effect. It is commonly misconstrued as a mystical reaction to a spurious drug or sham intervention, yet this interpretation is erroneous. The placebo effect transcends the realm of faux pills, sugar pills, and phony procedures. Rather, it serves as a formidable, steadfast, and dependable manifestation of the capacity of our mindsets - specifically, the anticipation of convalescence - to mobilize curative attributes within the body. What precisely constitutes a mindset? A mindset can be defined as a mental configuration or disposition that serves as a filter or paradigm for interpreting and simplifying the limitless range of conceivable meanings that arise at any given time. It can be regarded as a lens or frame of reference through which we perceive and evaluate the world. The capacity to simplify the world through our cognitive frameworks is an inherent aspect of human nature. However, I wish to propose to you today that these cognitive frameworks hold significant importance, as they exert a considerable influence on our physical and emotional welfare. During my time at Harvard University, I was privileged to collaborate with Professor Ellen Langer, an esteemed academic in the field of psychology. Upon learning that I was a division one athlete, Professor Langer expressed a sense of amusement and conveyed her opinion that physical exercise merely acted as a placebo. Presently, I felt somewhat offended as I had dedicated up to four hours each day to train my physique to achieve optimal fitness. Nevertheless, her comment did spark my contemplation regarding mindsets and their potential significance beyond the scope of medical regulations. I began pondering whether my progress in attaining greater levels of fitness and strength was due to the amount of time and energy invested in my training, or if it was rather the result of my positive belief system. What if we consider the converse scenario? Suppose individuals engage in a significant amount of physical activity without conscious awareness, would they not obtain commensurate health benefits?
It was determined that a test was necessary, and thus a distinct cohort of women was selected for evaluation. This group was comprised of 84 hotel housekeepers who were employed across seven different hotels throughout the United States. The physical demands of their occupation are extensive, as they spend extended periods of time standing and utilizing a diverse range of muscle groups, which results in an exceptionally high caloric expenditure throughout the course of their workday. However, an intriguing observation is that these women do not seem to perceive their work in this manner. We inquired if they engage in regular physical exercise, and a significant majority of them, specifically two-thirds, responded negatively. Consequently, we posed a follow-up question, requesting them to rate their level of exercise on a scale of zero to ten, and a third of the respondents indicated that they did not exercise at all, scoring a zero. This prompted us to ponder about the potential implications of altering their perspective towards exercising. The female participants were divided into two groups for the purpose of this study. Various metrics such as weight, blood pressure, body fat percentage, and job satisfaction were assessed for each group. One half of the participants received a concise 15-minute presentation, wherein they were given a poster and informed that their work constituted a form of exercise that met the Surgeon General's recommendations of accumulating 30 minutes of moderate physical activity daily. It was conveyed that they could expect to derive the associated benefits from this activity. Upon our return four weeks later, we conducted a subsequent measurement on the study groups. It was observed that the groups who did not receive the aforementioned information remained unaltered; however, notable differences were evident in the groups who had received it. These differences included a reduction in weight, a significant decrease in systolic blood pressure, a decrease in body fat, and an increase in job satisfaction as reported by the participants. What implications can we draw from this? From my perspective, it is intriguing that a mere 15-minute presentation had the power to fundamentally alter the situation, engendering a series of consequences for their physical and mental welfare, apparently without necessitating any modifications in behavior. Certain individuals may be contemplating, "What is the basis for your knowledge that their conduct remained unaltered, given that it seems plausible that such behavior could have been the catalyst for the observed outcomes?" It is common knowledge that the aforementioned individuals were no longer employed, and the attendants responsible for the upkeep of the room in question confirmed that they had not enrolled in the nearby athletic organization. However, it cannot be definitively ascertained whether or not they exerted greater effort in preparing the bedding. This query troubled me greatly: is there a direct and immediate correlation between one's mentality and physical state?
To validate this hypothesis, I collaborated with my colleagues, namely Kelly Brownell, Will Corbin, and Peter Salovey from Yale University. Our approach involved preparing a large quantity of milkshakes and inviting participants to our laboratory to sample them, compensating them with a sum of 75 dollars in return. This experimental design aimed to assess the effectiveness of the intervention in question. The agreement had an unappealing component in which, during the consumption of the shakes, we connected them to an intravenous drip to extract their blood samples for the purpose of measuring ghrelin. Ghrelin is a peptide hormone that is secreted in the gastrointestinal tract. It is commonly referred to by medical professionals as the hunger hormone. The increase in ghrelin levels in response to prolonged fasting serves as a signal to the brain to initiate food-seeking behavior, while simultaneously decreasing metabolism as a precautionary measure in case food is not found. Conversely, after consuming a meal that includes items such as a milkshake, hamburger, or French fries, ghrelin levels decrease, triggering the brain to cease eating and increasing metabolism to facilitate the breakdown of recently ingested food. The subjects were brought in and connected to an intravenous infusion. Subsequently, they were administered a milkshake called Sensi-Shake, which contains zero percent fat, 140 calories, and no added sugar, providing a sense of guilt-free gratification. Following consumption, the participants' ghrelin levels decreased, albeit marginally, indicating to the brain that a certain amount of food had been ingested but not to a significant extent. One week later, the participants returned to our laboratory where they were once again connected to an intravenous (IV) system. They were subsequently administered a beverage comprising 620 calories, 30 grams of fat, and 56 grams of sugar. This decadent drink was presented to the participants as a deserving indulgence. Upon consuming this shake, a notable decrease in their ghrelin levels was observed. Notably, the rate of decrease was approximately three times greater than that observed following the consumption of the previous shake. This would be comprehensible to any metabolic nutritionist who possesses knowledge that the decrease in ghrelin is directly proportional to the caloric intake. However, there is a caveat to consider: during the course of this study, although the participants believed that they had ingested two distinct shakes, one sensible and one indulgent, in actuality, they were given the identical shake on both occasions. Thus, what conclusion can be drawn from this?
In a manner akin to the instances where a uniform dose of morphine yielded disparate outcomes based on the subject's cognitive awareness, or where an identical quantum of physical activity resulted in varying levels of benefit depending on one's perception, the role of our mindsets has been demonstrated yet again. Specifically, it has been indicated that the effects on our body are not solely a function of the caloric intake or the precise composition of fats and nutrients but are also determined by our beliefs, expectations, and cognitions pertaining to the foods we consume. Given the circumstances, it is advisable for us to contemplate our own lives. What are our mindsets and how can we initiate a change to make them more advantageous? Consider the concept of stress. What is your perspective on stress? It is likely that, similar to the majority of individuals, you hold the belief that stress is inherently negative, commonly referred to as "bad stress." This perception is not unexpected, as ubiquitous warnings and labels serve as constant reminders of the detrimental impact of stress. However, the reality concerning stress is not straightforward. In fact, there exists a substantial and expanding body of research that demonstrates the potential for stress to produce positive effects, bolstering our health, well-being, and performance. I am not present here to attempt to convince you that the impacts of stress are beneficial. Instead, my purpose is to highlight the fact that stress, like most things in life, is ambiguous. As a result, it begs the question: do our attitudes towards stress influence our reactions?
In order to examine this inquiry, I collaborated with Shawn Achor and Peter Salovey and conducted a study involving a cohort of 300 employees. The investigation was conducted subsequent to the 2008 financial crisis, during a period when the employees were experiencing significant stress levels, having just been informed of an impending layoff affecting ten percent of their workforce, and being overburdened with work duties. Our aim was to alter their mindset, and we accomplished this by exposing them to straightforward video clips. Therefore, I will display them to you simultaneously, but please note that half of the participants were presented with the clip on the left, while the other half watched the clip on the right. Do you understand the main idea that I am trying to convey? Currently, we find ourselves in a situation where we lack sufficient information. We are being presented with various pieces of evidence, including factual data, research findings, and personal anecdotes. However, each of these sources may be biased towards a particular perspective. The findings we discovered are intriguing: individuals who viewed brief three-minute video clips prior to the commencement of their workday experienced a reduction in negative health symptoms, such as backaches, muscle tension, and insomnia, over the subsequent few weeks. Moreover, they exhibited greater levels of engagement and performance in the workplace.
At this juncture, I have presented four studies that showcase the potency of mindsets in the domains of medicine, exercise, diet, and stress. Concurrently, numerous proficient scholars are presently addressing this phenomenon. Carol Dweck's research illustrates that a change in mindset regarding intelligence and talent, from a fixed perspective to a malleable one over time, can significantly transform one's academic and professional accomplishments. The research conducted by Becca Levy, an epidemiologist affiliated with Yale University, highlights the potential benefits of altering our attitudes towards aging. Specifically, shifting from a perspective that perceives aging as an inexorable process of decline, towards one that regards it as a process of acquiring wisdom and experiencing personal growth, can not only influence the trajectory of our aging but also promote a longer lifespan. Ted Kaptchuk and his team at Harvard's Program for Placebo Studies are conducting pioneering research to comprehend how we can effectively harness and utilize the placebo effect in ethical clinical practice. While the context may vary, the underlying message remains consistent: our mindsets are of utmost importance. Please note that I am not stating that medicine is ineffective, that exercise has no advantages, or that our diet is irrelevant. I acknowledge that these factors have a significant impact on our physical well-being. However, it is important to recognize that our attitude towards any aspect of our lives can affect its psychological and physiological effects. Is the power of mindset boundless? Most likely not. However, my intention is to stimulate a reassessment of the perceived limitations that one may have in this regard. The actual challenge that lies ahead is to take ownership of this power, recognizing its potential and effect, and acknowledging that by altering our mindset, we have the capacity to transform any aspect of our life. Therefore, I express my gratitude to you for always making up and changing your minds.
See also: https://mygodsentangels.com/