Have you ever left a doctor’s appointment feeling more defeated than when you arrived? Perhaps a diagnosis felt like a life sentence, or a well-meaning comment planted a seed of fear that lingered for months. This isn’t just bad bedside manner; it’s a phenomenon I call “medical hexing.” It’s the subtle, and sometimes not-so-subtle, way that language in medical settings can disempower us, shaping our beliefs and even our health outcomes.&nbsp;Today, we’re diving deep into the power of words in medicine – how they can both heal and profoundly harm. In this episode I give you the down-low on:<ul><li>The Concept of Medical Hexing: How negative language and disempowering beliefs, often unintentionally, can act as a "medical hex," influencing our health beyond just our physical symptoms.</li><li>The Nocebo Effect's Reality: This isn't just "woo-woo." The "evil twin" of the placebo effect, has a neurobiological basis, demonstrating how negative expectations can directly impact our physiology.</li><li>Words as Physiological Triggers: The language used by healthcare providers directly impacts our brain and body, triggering stress responses, altering hormone levels, and even influencing our immune systems.</li><li>The Power Imbalance: The traditional doctor-patient power dynamic can amplify the nocebo effect, making us more susceptible to negative suggestions and limiting our ability to advocate for ourselves.</li><li>Reclaiming Your Agency: It's crucial to recognize your own expertise in your body and health, to question negative prognoses, and to seek out providers who foster trust and empowerment.</li><li>The Body's Innate Healing Capacity: We must shift away from a disease-focused model and recognize the body's remarkable ability to heal, a capacity that can be enhanced or diminished by our beliefs.</li></ul> For a deeper dive into advocating for yourself within the medical system, be sure to read my book, "<a href="https://avivaromm.com/book" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Hormone Intelligence</a>." It includes a full chapter dedicated to empowering you to get the supportive, respectful healthcare you deserve.&nbsp;Looking for supplements for yourself and your family, including some of those I talk about in episodes? You can find those - and your 15% discount on every order here: <a href="https://avivaromm.com/supplements" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">avivaromm.com/supplements</a>Mentioned in this episode:Looking for supplements for yourself and your family, including some of those I talk about in episodes? You can find those - and your 15% discount on every order here: avivaromm.com/supplements

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Have You Been Medically Hexed? The Power of Words to Heal and to Harm

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