The Placebo of Presence: The Psychiatry of Reiki | Ep 56

Does Reiki work, or is it just "expensive relaxation"? In this episode of No Nonsense Psychiatry, we look at the clinical power of Expectancy Theory. We strip away the mystical claims to examine how the "Ritual of Care" lowers cortisol and heart rate variability. We provide three actionable reasons why non-invasive, gentle touch (or perceived touch) can trigger the release of Endogenous Opioids—your body’s natural painkillers—regardless of the "energy" theory.