EPISODE · Dec 12, 2021 · 35 MIN
Healing Rituals: There’s Power in Belief
from How God Works: The Science Behind Spirituality · host PRX
A majority of people in the US believe that faith can heal. And while there isn’t any strong scientific data backing the idea of faith healing by divine intervention, there is a growing recognition that faith in the power of a person, religious ritual, or even medicine to heal can play a role in recovery via the placebo effect. Join Dave and his guests science writer Erik Vance and health psychologist Alia Crum to explore the surprising ways belief in placebos can heal, and how, if you’ve ever taken a medication, it’s already worked to your benefit. For more, check out Erik Vance’s book, Suggestible You. Learn about Alia Crum’s work here.
What this episode covers
A majority of people in the US believe that faith can heal. And while there isn’t any strong scientific data backing the idea of faith healing by divine intervention, there is a growing recognition that faith in the power of a person, religious ritual, or even medicine to heal can play a role in recovery via the placebo effect. Join Dave and his guests science writer Erik Vance and health psychologist Alia Crum to explore the surprising ways belief in placebos can heal, and how, if you’ve ever taken a medication, it’s already worked to your benefit. For more, check out Erik Vance’s book, Suggestible You. Learn about Alia Crum’s work here.
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Healing Rituals: There’s Power in Belief
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