That took me around the world, interviewing scientists who are investigating this question (often struggling for funding or risking their reputations to do so) and their results persuaded me that as well as being an interesting sociological or philosophical story, this was a compelling scientific one.Įxamples include trials demonstrating that hypnotherapy is a highly effective treatment for patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and studies showing that perceived stress correlates with telomere length in cells. What drives so many people to believe in the pseudoscientific claims of alternative therapists, and why are skeptics so resistant to any suggestion that the mind might influence health?Īt the same time, I wanted to dig through the scientific research to find out what the evidence really says about the mind’s effects on the body. I was interested in those clashing philosophies: I wanted to look at why it is so difficult to have a reasoned debate about this issue. Yet the question has become so polarized: advocates of alternative medicine claim miracle cures, while many conventional scientists and doctors insist any suggestion of “healing thoughts” is deluded. The mind influences physiology in many ways - from stress to sexual arousal - so it has always seemed reasonable to me that it might impact health. The misunderstandings and false claims were one of the elements that drew me to the topic of mind-body medicine in the first place. What convinced you that there was a compelling scientific story to tell? You have taken on a topic where, historically, there has been a tremendous amount of quackery. Marchant answered questions from Mind Matters editor Gareth Cook. In the book Cure, the veteran science journalist Jo Marchant brings her critical eye to this fascinating new terrain, sharing the latest discoveries and telling the stories of the people -Iraq war veterans among them - who are being helped by cures aimed at both body and mind. Now, though, a growing body of scientific research suggests that our mind can play an important role in healing our body - or in staying healthy in the first place. In recent decades it’s fascinated the followers of all manner of self-help movements, including those whose main purpose seems to be separating the sick from their money. Anyway, I am more into the spiritual side of crystals than the scientific side, and I really enjoyed your article.For centuries, the idea of “healing thoughts” has held sway over the faithful. Funny, because I had a little crystal radio when I was a kid, and I was not impressed at all. Needless to say, I’m like a kid in a candy shop around crystals. I’ve done a lot of research on the skulls and had a couple of sessions with Max, one of the two skulls proved to be ancient (He’s billed as “the Thirteenth Skull”) and met Max’s handler, Joann Parks. So naturally I have an interest in crystals and also in the crystal skulls. I believe that is what has attracted me to live here. My yard abounds with beautiful white crystalline rocks that contain small perfectly clear crystal formations inside. I guess I’ll just have to be content with the fact that I live atop the largest crystalline strata on earth. Sparkster, I wish I could afford a Vogel Phi crystal, Ha! There are a lot of counterfeits on the market, but the real ones are priced out of my range. Thanks for reading.ĭoris James MizBejabbers from Beautiful South on April 04, 2017: I see a few about now and again but like you said, there are many fakes. You're also lucky to get to have personal experience with "Max"! Wow! Yes, those vogel crystals are not that common and the genuine ones can be costly. Wow, that must be an amazing place to live! I would love to live somewhere like that. Marc Hubs (author) from United Kingdom on April 04, 2017: