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Enacting the mind/body connection: the role of self-induced placebo mechanisms

Author

Listed:
  • Francesco Pagnini

    (Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore)

  • Diletta Barbiani

    (Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore)

  • Francesca Grosso

    (Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore
    IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi)

  • Cesare Cavalera

    (Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore)

  • Eleonora Volpato

    (Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore
    IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi)

  • Giacomo Andrea Minazzi

    (Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore)

  • Valentina Poletti

    (Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore
    IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi)

  • Giuseppe Riva

    (IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano
    Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore)

  • Deborah Phillips

    (Harvard University)

Abstract

Placebo effects are beneficial mind-body outcomes derived from beliefs or expectations, not explainable as the consequence of active medical treatments. These phenomena have long been considered a result of external manipulation, generally obtained with deceptive strategies (e.g., fake pills) or suggestions. Open-label placebos showed promising results, but even in that case, the individual has a passive role: they are not actively engaged in promoting the effect. We propose a framework to investigate the potential for individuals to self-induce placebo effects through conscious and deliberate psychological mechanisms, such as mental imagery, somatic focusing, and perceived control. These mechanisms may be tested in combination with open-label placebos and active treatments, as well as standalone strategies. The framework may push the boundaries of current mind-body research and have the potential to place these self-induced mechanisms alongside expectations and learning as key players in the placebo effect, ultimately elevating the individual’s active role in shaping their health.

Suggested Citation

  • Francesco Pagnini & Diletta Barbiani & Francesca Grosso & Cesare Cavalera & Eleonora Volpato & Giacomo Andrea Minazzi & Valentina Poletti & Giuseppe Riva & Deborah Phillips, 2024. "Enacting the mind/body connection: the role of self-induced placebo mechanisms," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 11(1), pages 1-10, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:pal:palcom:v:11:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1057_s41599-024-03492-6
    DOI: 10.1057/s41599-024-03492-6
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Stayce Camparo & Philip Z. Maymin & Chanmo Park & Sukki Yoon & Chen Zhang & Younghwa Lee & Ellen J. Langer, 2022. "The fatigue illusion: the physical effects of mindlessness," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 9(1), pages 1-16, December.
    2. David S. Stolz & Laura Müller-Pinzler & Sören Krach & Frieder M. Paulus, 2020. "Internal control beliefs shape positive affect and associated neural dynamics during outcome valuation," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-13, December.
    3. Hyeong-Dong Park & Coline Barnoud & Henri Trang & Oliver A. Kannape & Karl Schaller & Olaf Blanke, 2020. "Breathing is coupled with voluntary action and the cortical readiness potential," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-8, December.
    4. Matthias Zunhammer & Tamás Spisák & Tor D. Wager & Ulrike Bingel, 2021. "Meta-analysis of neural systems underlying placebo analgesia from individual participant fMRI data," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-11, December.
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