Wendy Margolese (Picture courtesy of Wendy Margolese)

“No placebo effect going on there.”

Much attention has been given to the placebo effect. The placebo effect shows that what we believe – what we think – matters when it comes to health.

Some wonder if the positive effects on health of spirituality are simply a variant of the placebo effect. Wendy Margolese, Health Blogger in Ontario, Canada, takes up this question in a recent article in York Media.

Here’s an excerpt:

“One of my favorite Biblical accounts of Jesus’ approach to healing is the story of a man who, for thirty-some years, sat by a pool waiting for a stirring of the water – as this was believed to be done by an angel and thus have healing power. Is this not similar to the belief of health associated with a sugar pill?  Jesus did not sugarcoat his words when he commanded the man to take up his bed and go home – back to an active and productive life.  The man was healed immediately and gladly complied. And, he did not even expect to be healed by this passing stranger – no placebo effect going on there.”

In an honest assessment, Margolese acknowledges our need to “better understand the role spirituality, prayer and religious practices have on a person’s health.”

Read her article here: Are positive health impacts of spirituality simply a placebo effect?