Bitely

Suggestible You

Erik Vance

Your brain is a device that can respond to suggestions continuously. Nocebos and placebos work by harnessing this power. As well as determining how the body reacts to events, it also decides how we perceive the world around it. By using this power carefully, you can open up an entire world of alternative treatments.

psychology

neuroscience

brain

20 min

8 Bite

Insight

What's it about?

Suggestible You demonstrates how perceptions influence our bodily reactions to sickness, suffering, and memories. The book explores the power of suggestibility to understand how it affects our minds and bodies. There are several ways humans can leverage this capability for their own benefit, either in healthcare or in their daily lives.

Book summary

Erik Vance is a science journalist who has worked as a biologist, rock climbing guide, environmental consultant, and environmental educator in the past. His work focuses on the interaction of science and humans.

"Your brain doesn't want to be wrong and in order for expectation to match reality, it's willing to bend a few rules or even cheat outright."

"Memory isn’t static like photos. It’s more like reassembling a picture from jigsaw pieces or making a photocopy of a picture and then looking at it."

"There are more neurons in the brain than stars in our galaxy. Understanding signals in such a complex organ, statistically speaking, is like trying to track every human on Earth."

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All Bites

8 Bites

Suggestion is the key to placebos' effectiveness.

A body's chemical repertoire can amplify a placebo's effects.

Researchers are still trying to figure out why placebos are effective in particular people but not others.

We benefit from placebos because of suggestibility, but this also has a downside called a nocebo.

Human suggestibility can manifest itself through hypnosis.

The presence of false memories proves how easily memory can be manipulated with a suggestion.

Everyday choices are influenced by suggestibility.

Expectations can boost your life if you utilize their power.

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