Can your thoughts really change your health? In this episode, we explore how belief—both positive and negative—impacts the healing process after breast cancer. Learn what neuroscience, psychology, and real-life coaching reveal about the nocebo effect, the power of belief, and how to gently shift your thinking to support long-term wellness.   💡 In this episode: 🌱 Join The Better Than Before Breast Cancer Membership: <a style="color: #0000fa;" href= "https://thebreastcancerrecoverycoach.com/lifecoaching">https://thebreastcancerrecoverycoach.com/lifecoaching</a> A 2007 study published in Science Used harmless cream + expectation to trigger real pain—with brain scans showing activation in pain perception areas. 🔗 <a style= "color: #0000fa;" href= "https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.aan1221">https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.aan1221</a> <a style="color: #0000fa;" href= "https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.aan1221?utm_source=chatgpt.com">American Federation of Teachers+15Science+15Science in School+15</a> A 2011 study published in The Journal of Neuroscience Found that people warned of negative side effects—even from a sugar pill—experienced those effects, with measurable physiological changes. 🔗 <a style= "color: #0000fa;" href= "https://www.jneurosci.org/content/33/34/13784">https://www.jneurosci.org/content/33/34/13784</a> <a style="color: #0000fa;" href= "https://www.wired.com/story/nocebo-effect-expensive-drugs-cause-pain?utm_source=chatgpt.com">WIRED</a><a style="color: #0000fa;" href= "https://www.jneurosci.org/content/33/34/13784?utm_source=chatgpt.com">researchworks.creighton.edu+15The Journal of Neuroscience+15Nature+15</a>   A 2001 study published in The Lancet Showed patients who believed pain medication would help—even when it was a placebo—experienced real pain relief via endorphin release. 🔗 <a style= "color: #0000fa;" href= "https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/80579/">https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/80579/</a> <a style="color: #0000fa;" href= "https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3055515/?utm_source=chatgpt.com">SAGE Journals+6PMC+6Science in School+6</a>   A 2023 study in Frontiers in Psychology Discussed cognitive inertia, explaining why our brains often stick with old thought patterns—even when we try to change. 🔗 <a style= "color: #0000fa;" href= "https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1243711/full">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1243711/full</a> <a style="color: #0000fa;" href= "https://www.researchgate.net/publication/391344673_Cognitive_Inertia_And_Status_Quo_Bias_Understanding_Resistance_To_Change_From_Mind_To_Society?utm_source=chatgpt.com">Verywell Mind+5ResearchGate+5WIRED+5</a><a style="color: #0000fa;" href= "https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1243711/full?utm_source=chatgpt.com">Frontiers+2Frontiers+2Frontiers+2</a>   A 1994 study in Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition Covered belief perseverance, showing people stick with false beliefs even after receiving clear contradictory evidence. 🔗 <a style= "color: #0000fa;" href= "https://www.overcominghateportal.org/belief-perseverance.html">https://www.overcominghateportal.org/belief-perseverance.html</a> <a style="color: #0000fa;" href= "https://www.overcominghateportal.org/belief-perseverance.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com">Frontiers+15overcominghateportal.org+15ResearchGate+15</a>   A 2019 review in Nature Reviews Neuroscience Explored neuroplasticity and how repeating new beliefs and thoughts reshapes brain wiring. 🔗 <a style="color: #0000fa;" href= "https://www.nature.com/articles/s41593-023-01514-1">https://www.nature.com/articles/s41593-023-01514-1</a> (for related imaging insights) 🔗 <a style= "color: #0000fa;" href= "https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7047599/">https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7047599/</a> (neuroplasticity review)    Carol Dweck’s 2007 Child Development study Found that those with a growth mindset (believing they could improve) showed greater learning, resilience, and brain adaptability. 🔗 <a style= "color: #0000fa;" href= "https://srcd.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1467-8624.2007.00995.x">https://srcd.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1467-8624.2007.00995.x</a> <a style="color: #0000fa;" href= "https://www.wired.com/2008/04/gs-04thinkpositive?utm_source=chatgpt.com">WIRED+1Verywell Mind+1</a><a style="color: #0000fa;" href= "https://srcd.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1467-8624.2007.00995.x?utm_source=chatgpt.com">srcd.onlinelibrary.wiley.com</a>   A 2025 imaging-based study summarized in The Guardian Revealed that optimists share similar brain activation patterns in the medial prefrontal cortex when thinking about the future—supporting motivation and planning. 🔗 Article summary: <a style="color: #0000fa;" href= "https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/jul/21/optimists-share-similar-brain-patterns-when-thinking-about-the-future-scans-show"> https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/jul/21/optimists-share-similar-brain-patterns-when-thinking-about-the-future-scans-show</a>     Let’s Connect! If this episode helped you breathe a little easier, please share it with a friend or leave a review. Every share helps spread this message of hope, healing, and whole-person wellness. 💌 Join my email list for weekly wellness tips & podcast updates → <a style= "color: #0000fa;" href= "https://www.thebreastcancerrecoverycoach.com/">The Breast Cancer Recovery Coach</a> 👩‍💻 Follow me on Instagram for daily inspiration → <a style="color: #0000fa;" href= "https://www.instagram.com/thebreastcancerrecoverycoach/">@thebreastcancerrecoverycoach</a> 👩‍💻 Follow me on Facebook → <a style="color: #0000fa;" href= "https://www.facebook.com/LauraLummerTheBreastCancerRecoveryCoach/">The Breast Cancer Recovery Coach</a> 🎙 Subscribe & leave a review on Apple Podcasts → <a style="color: #0000fa;" href= "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/better-than-before-breast-cancer-with-the-breast/id1251292364">Better Than Before Breast Cancer with The Breast Cancer Recovery Coach</a> 🎥 Watch on YouTube → <a style= "color: #0000fa;" href= "https://www.youtube.com/@TheBreastCancerRecoveryCoach">@BetterThanBeforeBreastCancer</a>

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#421 The Science of Belief After Breast Cancer - Rewiring Your Brain For Health And Happiness

Better Than Before Breast Cancer with The Breast Cancer Recovery Coach

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