The Placebo Superpower: How Your Mind Can Heal (or Harm) Your Body

Unlocking the Healing (and Harmful) Potential of Belief

Few things in science are as mysterious—and as powerful—as the placebo effect. For centuries, doctors have observed patients recovering after taking sugar pills, saline injections, or fake surgeries. What’s changed in recent decades is our understanding of why: it’s not the pill, but the expectation of healing, that triggers the body’s inner pharmacy. David Robson’s The Expectation Effect brings this science to life, showing how belief can spark real chemical changes—releasing endorphins, calming inflammation, and even modulating immune responses.

But the placebo effect has a shadow: the nocebo effect. When we expect harm, our bodies deliver it. In clinical trials, people warned of side effects often develop them, even when given harmless placebos. Headaches, nausea, rashes—these symptoms are real, and they’re driven by the mind’s anticipation of trouble. Some of the most dramatic cases involve people who died after being told they had a fatal disease, only for autopsies to reveal the diagnosis was wrong. Expectation, it turns out, can be fatal—or lifesaving.

Robson’s book is full of practical examples: open-label placebos (where patients know they’re getting a fake) still work if people understand the science and believe in their own healing. The key is not deception, but harnessing positive expectation. Doctors who frame treatments optimistically, focus on recovery, and minimize warnings about rare side effects help patients heal faster and experience fewer problems.

So what can you do? Start by noticing your own beliefs about health. When a symptom appears, ask: is this always a sign of harm, or could it be part of healing? Practice reframing: a racing heart might mean excitement, not danger. Surround yourself with supportive people and seek out practitioners who understand the mind-body connection. Even small mindset shifts—like gratitude journaling or visualization—can tip the scales toward wellness.

The placebo effect is not a trick or a weakness. It’s a glimpse of the mind’s power to shape reality. Use it wisely, and you may find yourself healthier, happier, and more resilient than you ever imagined.