Vance dives into the intricacies of the human brain and how it creates and experiences memories, pain, healing, and life. He dives into many of the most challenging aspects of brain science and bio medicine, understanding how the brain/body work especially with placebos and our internal body chemistry but in a way that is clear and easy to follow. I enjoyed learning more about the challenges with placebos, why they are a frustration for drug companies, how different people are more or less susceptible to the placebo affect and why they might be better off for it. He cites dozens of experiments and studies and interviews dozens of practitioners and experts that either study or practice various forms of medicine. He also addresses the history of medicine and its evolution over the years, and he explores the world of religion, Chinese medicine, and other alternatives and why they do or don't work for people. The most interesting part is linked to placebos but is the power of expectation in shaping reality and how the subtle changes in how one perceives or expects an experience to play out has massive impact (for good or bad) in how they actually experience it, such as whether they expect pain from an surgical procedure, or expect benefit from a procedure or pill. In the end I found this massively helpful for better understanding the power of my brain and what is possible as a result.

I was hooked on this book right away. It was fascinating. I was especially interested in how placebos work and which ailments respond best to placebos.

This book is an interesting exploration into what we believe and how that helps us heal (or not). The author takes us on a tour of beliefs, and delves into the world of placebos and how they work. Fascinating study of subjects that need more press.

Fascinating!

This book was great. I loved learning about the mind's relationship to the body and to healing. The sections on the real impacts of placebos, and the eerie role of nocebos (sort of a negative placebo) were really eye opening. Vance writes lucidly employing his science journalism credentials. If you're in a mental rut, this might help you find your way out.

This was an interesting, well narrated audiobook. I am a bit disappointed though that it didn’t give more instruction on how to use your suggestibility to better your life. The book did say that placebo effects work even if you know they’re placebos. So I guess I can use that Information along with my cabinet full of supplements.