Self-Perception

While I was driving today and listening to the radio, I heard an interesting news release about a study regarding people and wine-drinking. Apparently, several people were given various wines to drink. When they were told the wine was expensive (even though it wasn't) the subjects reported that the wine tasted better and that they felt good (a buzz). When they were told the wine was cheap (even though it was the same wine as before) they reported the wine did not taste good and made them feel bad. What was most interesting about this study is that brain MRIs were performed on these people while they were drinking these wines and different areas of the brain were stimulated depending on whether the subjects thought it was an expensive wine or a cheap wine. Therefore, if they thought the cheap wine they were given was expensive, their perception and physiology fell in line accordingly.

Well, many of us have known about the power of thought and belief and many of us have watched the movie The Secret which talks about this. However, now there is actual hard evidence. The scientist performing the wine studies went on to say that they will next do a study on pain. This should be fascinating. I do know for a fact from over twenty years of working with patients that stress and anxiety increases our perception of pain. (I incorporated relaxation methods in my treatments.)

What would be even more fascinating (to me)is a study to find out if we were to perceive ourselves slim and toned, how long (on average) would it take to see results and what an MRI of the brain would show. The applications of this seem unlimited.
Cecelia
www.myfitness24-7.com