The Biology of the Placebo Effect

We’ve all heard the phrase, truth is stranger than fiction. But when it comes to understanding how the body works and heals, the truth isn’t just stranger – it’s stronger, it’s more astonishing and powerful than we can imagine. The placebo effect, often dismissed as “just psychological,” actually has deep biological roots that can transform our health. When we grasp these truths, we can spark a drive for self-healing and empower the medical industry to lean into transparency and the natural resilience of the human body.

Here’s the question we should all be asking ourselves: Why lie to patients when the truth is far more empowering? People can heal—not because of sugar pills or deception—but because our biology is wired to respond to belief, nutrition, rest, physical and mental activity, and the right environment. Understanding this can create what I call a “covitality spiral,” where small, intentional habits ripple into profound, lasting health.

What is the placebo effect?

The placebo effect refers to measurable changes in health outcomes that occur not because of a specific treatment, but because of a person’s belief in the treatment’s effectiveness. For decades, it was misunderstood as a “trick of the mind.” But now, cutting-edge research reveals that belief and expectation don’t just “fool” us into feeling better; they translate into real, tangible biological changes in the body.

When someone believes in a treatment, their brain releases neurochemicals like dopamine, endorphins, and serotonin. These chemicals reduce pain, enhance well-being, and trigger healing responses throughout the body. Placebos activate the same neural pathways as traditional treatments, which explains why they’re so powerful. Understanding the placebo effect isn’t about dismissing modern medicine. It’s about unlocking our body’s innate ability to support its own healing.

The biology behind the placebo effect

To grasp how placebo works on a cellular level, we need to view the body as a deeply interconnected system. Every shift in mindset or environment resonates across neural pathways, cellular communication networks, and even our DNA. This isn’t simply guesswork. Emerging science points to how the placebo effect rewires our biological systems for healing through three major mechanisms:

1. Neurochemical pathways

When we experience positive expectations and hope, the brain triggers a cascade of neurotransmitters. Dopamine reinforces rewarding behaviors and acts as a motivator for recovery. Endorphins reduce pain and create feelings of euphoria. Serotonin enhances mood stability and reduces stress.

These neurochemicals don’t just make us “feel good”—they directly impact immune response, inflammation, and healing speed. For instance, clinical studies have found that patients experiencing placebo effects have reduced inflammation and faster recovery times, all thanks to the brain-body connection.

2. Epigenetic expression

Epigenetics, the study of how environment and behavior influence gene expression, provides another layer to understanding the placebo effect’s power. When someone believes in their ability to heal, their body quite literally alters gene activity to help make it happen.

For example, stress can switch on genes linked to inflammation and anxiety. But deep relaxation, meditation, or even believing in a positive outcome can activate genes that promote immune function, reduce inflammation, and support cellular repair. The placebo effect operates in this realm, leveraging the body’s adaptive mechanisms to turn on its healing potential.

3. Cellular communication networks

Our 37 trillion cells communicate constantly via biochemical signals. From mitochondria managing energy production to plasma membranes transmitting external information into cellular action, the body is a network of cooperating agents.

Under the influence of belief, this cellular network responds. Stress-inducing states like “fight or flight” disrupt communication between cells, leading to fatigue, inflammation, and even chronic illness. Meanwhile, states of calm and belief in healing activate the parasympathetic nervous system (rest-and-digest mode), allowing cells to repair, regenerate, and adapt efficiently.

Why the medical industry needs to trust patients with the truth

For decades, the placebo effect was weaponized as a form of deception. Patients were handed sugar pills, told it was medicine, and watched as their bodies healed. What this approach fails to acknowledge is that belief can be cultivated and channeled without manipulation. Patients don’t need deceit; they need empowerment.

The medical industry must shift its thinking. Instead of seeing patients as passive recipients of care, we need to treat them as active participants in their recovery. The truth—that the body is wired to heal with the right support—is more powerful than any lie. Imagine a healthcare system where practitioners explain to patients that their mindset, habits, and environment play a critical role in how treatment works. By pairing transparency with actionable, natural protocols, we create trust and, ultimately, better outcomes.

Building a covitality spiral

True healing isn’t about quick fixes or isolated interventions. It’s about creating a “covitality spiral,” where mental, emotional, and physical health work in harmony to elevate overall well-being. Here’s how we can foster this spiral:

1. Adopt natural healing protocols

Our biology isn’t designed to thrive on processed food, overwork, and chronic stress. Healing begins with the fundamentals:

• Diet: Shift toward nutrient-dense, anti-inflammatory foods.
• Exercise: Move regularly to promote cardiovascular, cellular, and mitochondrial health.
• Mental exercise: Cultivate resilience with practices like gratitude journaling, mindfulness, or cognitive behavioral exercises.
• Sleep: Prioritize rest as a time for the body to repair and recharge.

2. Leverage rest-and-digest states

Living in constant “fight or flight” mode depletes your system. Spend more time in the parasympathetic state by slowing down, deep breathing, or engaging in calming hobbies. This allows cells to shift their focus from survival to growth and repair.

3. Educate and engage patients

Patients should understand how their decisions—from diet to mindset to rest routines—influence their recovery. Teach them about the interconnectedness of systems like the gut-brain axis, the role of mitochondria in energy production, and how belief impacts biology.

4. Encourage community-building

A strong sense of community lowers stress levels, boosts happiness, and enhances adherence to healthy behaviors. Whether it’s through support groups or shared goals, connection fuels the covitality spiral.

Placebo turns belief into biology

The placebo effect is no longer a footnote in medicine; it’s a testament to the unmatched power of human biology when paired with belief. By understanding the mechanisms behind it, we gain tools to take charge of our well-being and rewrite the narrative surrounding healing. The time for transparency is now. The truth—that we can heal ourselves with the right protocols—is far more inspiring than fiction.

Your move

Doctors, take this as an opportunity to reimagine what patient care can look like when you foster empowerment instead of dependence. Patients, know that your biology is a tool of immense potential, waiting for you to wield it. Together, let’s create a world where the placebo effect isn’t a trick—but a bridge to real, sustainable healing.

My book, “The Energetic Investor” is available on Amazon. It’s all about investing your energy for peak performance, mind, body and finance. Truth, not fiction. It’s a guide to cycling higher in all you do.