A Journey into the Science of Mind Over Body

Can the mind heal us? Thoughts clearly influence physiology, from fear to sexual arousal, but there is much skepticism about the idea of “healing” thoughts and beliefs. Recently, however, scientists from a range of fields have been uncovering evidence that our mental state can play a crucial role in determining both symptoms we experience and underlying processes of disease. Placebos trigger biological changes similar to those caused by drugs. Mood predicts complication rates during surgery. Immune responses are influenced by taste and smell. In this talk, Jo Marchant will discuss the potential—and limits—of the mind in physical health, and ask how might we harness these principles in medical care.