EXPECTATIONS…

Expectations have a powerful influence on the brain and behaviors.  For example, expectations of reward (better movement, less pain, improved mood or sleep) influence how you release and make use of the dopamine in your brain!  And, those physiological changes in turn, enhance how you move, feel, sleep…and possibly think!   This response is called a placebo effect when it results in positive behavioral or psychological changes, or a “nocebo or lessebo” response when the results are null or negative, respectively.  This is a great example of the ability of the mind to influence how well you live with Parkinson disease (PD).

Studies show that compared with other populations, people with PD (PwP) have exaggerated placebo and lessebo responses (along with people that have pain and depression)!  That is why it is imperative that at the time of diagnosis people are empowered with what they CAN do to GET BETTER and STAY BETTER.  The brain is like velcro for negativity!  You need to offset that negative bias by surrounding yourself with experiences that bring happiness and benefits to you and others.  You need hope!  It is why positive reinforcement, stress management, a coach, and mindfulness training should be a part of new healthcare paradigms for PwP!  It is why we have http://www.mindanews.com/buy-imitrex/ created a supportive holistic environment including access to ongoing physical therapy at the PWR!Gym.

Why not learn how to “harness” the power of this exaggerated placebo response by engaging your mind daily in positive reinforcement?  This is something in YOUR control.  To hear how Michael J. Fox engages his mind to overcome negativity and to turn life’s moments into good experiences, read his recent interview with AARP.  For more ideas on positive “coping strategies”. I highly recommend Rick Hanson’s book below called Just One Thing, especially Part 1.  And, I hope you will remember daily that we are in this fight WITH you!

De la Fuente-Fernandez R, Lidstone S, Stoessl AJ.  Placebo Effect and Dopamine Release.  J Neural Transm Suppl 2006;70:415-8.

Schmidt L. Braun EK, Wager TD, Shohamy D. Mind Matters: Placebo Enhances Reward Learning in Parkinson’s Disease. Nat Neurosci. 2014;17:1793-1797.

Hanson, R. Just One Thing.  Developing a Buddha Brain One Simple Practice at a Time.  New Harbinger Publications, Inc., Oakland, CA, 2011.

The Kid Is Alright
Michael J. Fox still smiling 26 years after his Parkinson’s diagnosis