TUES: The Nocebo Effect

Among the primary points of many modern and ancient philosophy is the idea that our thoughts become reality. What we think and where we focus tends to be what happens. Believe you’re going to get better by taking a pill, and science has shown that most of the time you actually will. Believe in what you’re doing, and the body will tend to find a way to get it done. The mind is an incredibly powerful tool.

Sure, we all know the placebo effect, but when can it go wrong? In many placebo case studies, those who take the same sugar pill as the placebo group often experience opposite of healing effects. They experience vomiting, fatigue, and nausea. Why? Is it because the pill was different than those who reported feeling better? No, it was the same. However, the expectation was different. Those who experienced negative reactions were simply told that they might.

This phenomenon is called the nocebo effect, where negative thinking permeates our thought and produces outcome.

How about when instead of believing wholeheartedly in a positive income, we believe just passively in a negative outcome? Won’t that chart us a course of negativity that once we start, we tend to follow? Assume that you’re going to constantly bicker with your spouse and you probably will. Be certain that you won’t hit that squat PR and you absolutely won’t.

The nocebo effect is very real. It draws our focus towards negative outcomes and creates a self fulfilling prophecy.

This is where the gym becomes so powerful in our lives. Believing we can achieve something in there leads to better believing we can achieve stuff out here. Don’t underestimate the power of a positive mindset in the gym. Quit telling yourself you can’t do X, Y, and Z and instead begin to attack where you perceive you are weak.

Believe wholeheartedly in the fitness positive and your outcomes will begin to shift. Quickly.

-Dave

Tuesday, 11.28.18

First. For Strength,
5 Front Squats @75%
10 DB No Touch Russian Twists
Complete 1 set every 4′ for 20′
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Then. For Conditioning.
10’ E.M.O.M
A: 3/s Elevated Gob Curtsy Lunge
B: 3/s Heavy Renegade Rows
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Finisher:
5×60” Low Plank