The Nocebo Effect

The Nocebo Effect

I wish I’d come up with The Nocebo Effect concept, but I’ll have to admit that I ran across a blog on this topic with respect to risk analysis and environmental pollution.  The Nocebo Effect is the sibling of The Placebo Effect with which most are familiar.  The Placebo Effect describes the power of positive suggestion, so, for instance, some can experience measurable positive outcomes while taking sugar pills. The Nocebo Effect describes the power of negative suggestion; others can develop negative symptoms in the absence of the appropriate system stressor.  In the environmental realm, a certain portion of the population will develop exposure-type symptoms just based on the knowledge of that possibility.  If people are aware of the possible adverse effects, some will develop those effects even without exposure.  Both effects are real; but each targets a different set of the population.  Most folks are immune, while others subject to either Placebo or Nocebo.  What type of person are you?

I guess I’d declare myself to be an “Actively Recovering Nocebo”.  I used to literally worry myself sick; allergies, back aches and puking all come to mind.  I’ve always been interested in the idea of Self-Fulfilling Prophesy in a tragic sense.  I’ve been paralyzed to inaction, and my glass is usually half empty (and trending downward.)  For much of my life, I’ve been wary, cautious and naturally negative.

These are real manifestations of my world; but why should I do this to myself?   With awareness, can’t I strive to become Placeboed?  Why not avail myself to free, positive benefits?  It would be stupid not to, the equivalent of not matching my employer’s 401k contribution to the max.

This simple awareness of my nature and my acceptance of possible positive outcomes has been the framework for my current active recovery.   I'm not even exactly sure what I recovering from, but the sunshine emanating from my girls has motivated me to simply (try to) be a better person.  There have been plenty of opportunities for self-improvement, and some of these efforts have been fun as well as productive.  I'm proud of my recent self-declaration (with a question mark) of my optimism, and I can finally say that I genuinely care about others outside my family.  I've been cultivating more and deeper interests, I'm less concerned with outcomes, and way more involved with process.  I now notice, appreciate, and declare the good deeds of others,  I celebrate small victories and I don’t agonize over little set-backs.  I’m more accepting, tolerant and happier than in my not-so-long-ago youth.  Even if I'm "Placeboed", it's my placebo and real to me.  I’ll take it.

Now imagine a fishing trip; you get off to a late start, the weather is tough, and the lake of the day is hosting an unexpected tournament.  It’s not looking like the experience you’d imagined, and so you don’t have much confidence going in.  You fish without passion, don’t catch much, don’t enjoy yourself and go home.

Imagine another trip with the same conditions.  Because of the crowds and conditions you switch tactics.  You might not expect as much from Plan B, but each little success means more, and because this is a learning situation, it’s more interesting and you fish with more passion and concentration.  Because you’re fishing harder and smarter, you’ll likely have more success; this cycle will build on itself and you’re likely to have a good day.  Moreover, it’s a day you can build future, better experiences upon.

I've been on both trips.  I know which trip I’d rather go on.  How about you?