The Surprising Power of Placebo, and Why That’s Relevant To A Hypnotherapist

The human mind is truly fascinating. It can be easy to settle into a kind of complacency about consciousness, thinking we understand how it works or what it’s capable of. But the more we look into it, the more curious we are, the more mysteries we seem to uncover. The placebo effect is one of those mysteries that has baffled scientists for decades. How could a simple sugar pill cure disease, reduce pain, improve mental health, and more? To a hypnotherapist, it makes a lot of sense. The placebo effect isn’t just a trick of the mind; it’s proof that our thoughts can bring about real, tangible changes in our physical health. It also hints at something deeper: the potential we all have to harness this power consciously through techniques like hypnotherapy.

So, what exactly is the placebo effect? And why should you care about it? Keep reading to find out how you can harness this incredible ability of the mind for a better, healthier life.

What is the Placebo Effect?

In simple terms, the placebo effect is the phenomenon where patients experience real changes in their health after taking a treatment that has no therapeutic value. The term came about during research into new and cutting edge drugs. Doctors would give one group of patients, the experimental group, a drug that they hoped would prove to be a cure for the condition those patients were experiencing. Another group of patients, the control group, would receive a sugar pill, or placebo. Neither group would know whether they were receiving the real drug or the placebo, and then doctors could study the effects of the drug by comparing the two groups.

But these studies all seemed to suffer from the same problem: for no explainable reason, a percentage of the placebo group would seem to improve as though they were receiving the experimental drug! They would sometimes even manifest the expected side-effects of the experimental drugs such as depressed respiration or memory difficulties.

So why do people taking a simple sugar pill see an improvement in health? They get better because they believe they’re getting better. But it’s not just a matter of feeling better; studies have shown that placebos can lead to measurable physical changes in the body!

Even more surprisingly, a recent meta-analysis discovered that placebos can lead to measurable changes in brain chemistry. Yes, your brain might actually start producing more of the “feel-good” chemicals like dopamine and endorphins simply because you think you’re taking medication.

The Science of Belief

The placebo effect is all about belief. When we believe something will work, our brains act accordingly, sometimes with surprising effects. For example, in a study on depression, patients given a placebo reported feeling better as much as 50% of the time. That’s nearly on par with the effectiveness of some actual antidepressants! But here’s the kicker: these people weren’t lying. Their brains had actually changed, adapting to this new “reality” they believed in.

Studies using brain imaging have shown that when a person takes a placebo, their brain often activates in the same way as it would with an actual drug. It’s as if the brain says, “Oh, we’re doing this now,” and jumps right on board, producing the chemicals or responses necessary to make it happen. The brain can release endorphins to reduce pain, alter blood pressure, and even change the levels of certain hormones in the body—all through the power of belief.

Placebo Effect in Real Life

There’s no shortage of stories about the placebo effect doing seemingly impossible things. In one famous case, a man diagnosed with terminal cancer was given a “miracle drug” by his doctor. To everyone’s amazement, his tumors started shrinking—until he found out that the drug was a hoax. His tumors promptly returned and, unfortunately, he passed away. While this case is extreme, it illustrates the remarkable power our minds have over our physical health.

It’s not just about pills, either. Studies have found that even the color and size of the placebo pill can affect how well it “works.” Red and orange pills tend to produce more stimulating effects, while blue pills have a calming effect, simply because of the associations we have with those colors.

Why the Placebo Effect Matters to Hypnotherapists

So, how does this all tie into hypnotherapy? Well, hypnotherapy taps into the same “belief power” that placebos do. In a hypnotherapy session, the goal is often to reach a deeply relaxed, focused state where the mind is more receptive to suggestion. And when the mind is in this state, you can essentially create any placebo effect you want. The key factor seems to be setting aside your conscious doubts and allowing your mind to create the reality you want.

Hypnotherapy works by guiding you into a relaxed state where positive suggestions can bypass your usual mental filters. Imagine you want to quit smoking. On a typical day, you may have a nagging little voice that says, “It’s too hard; you’ll never be able to do it.” But in a hypnotherapy session, we can quiet that voice, allowing your mind to accept the possibility that you can quit. This process isn’t about “tricking” the mind; it’s about giving it permission to believe in a different reality.

The Power of Mind Over Matter

What all of this tells us is that the mind isn’t just powerful in an abstract way; it’s capable of making physical changes in our bodies. Hypnotherapy taps into this same ability by encouraging your mind to believe in a healthier, happier, more capable version of you.

Hypnotherapy’s approach is gentle. Unlike the placebo effect, which requires you to be “deceived” to work, hypnotherapy helps you take charge of your mental power and apply it consciously. You’re not just hoping for a positive outcome; you’re actively participating in the process.

One of my favorite studies on the power of hypnosis had experienced weightlifters find their one-rep max (the most weight they could lift for a single rep) before and after hypnosis in which they were given direct suggestions about an increase in their strength. On average the men could bench press 20 pounds heavier after hypnosis, and could manage 3-5 reps of their previous 1 rep max!

Real-World Applications of Hypnotherapy and Placebo Effect Research

Research on the placebo effect has led to breakthroughs in how we treat chronic pain, anxiety, and even insomnia. In one study, participants with chronic pain were told they’d receive a powerful new painkiller. After taking it, they reported significant pain reduction—despite the “medication” being nothing more than a placebo.

Hypnotherapy has seen similar success rates with pain management. It’s been used effectively in everything from dental procedures to childbirth. When combined with positive suggestions, hypnotherapy can make pain more manageable or, in some cases, even eliminate it. The idea isn’t to pretend the pain doesn’t exist but to approach it from a mental state that allows for a reduction in pain perception. 

Conclusion: The Mind as a Tool for Healing

The placebo effect is more than just a curiosity; it’s evidence that our beliefs can impact our health. Hypnotherapy takes this principle one step further, using relaxation and suggestion to help you actively harness the power of your mind. Both the placebo effect and hypnotherapy reveal a central truth: our thoughts are not merely reactions to our physical states; they have the power to change those states.

As a hypnotherapist, I get to see the incredible potential of the human mind every day. Hypnotherapy allows people to tap into a wellspring of inner strength and resilience they often didn’t know they had. By working with the mind’s natural tendency to believe and heal, we can unlock new levels of health, happiness, and wellbeing. The placebo effect may be a mystery to scientists, but to many of us it’s a glimpse into the mind’s extraordinary ability to shape reality.