I appreciate your skepticism—it’s always good to critically examine claims. I’ve reviewed Ader’s original research, and I’d like to clarify how it supports the article’s core points.
What Ader’s Study Actually Found
Robert Ader, along with Nicholas Cohen, demonstrated immune system conditioning through classical conditioning. Their experiment showed that rats given a sweetened solution paired with an immunosuppressive drug later experienced immune suppression even when they received only the sweetened solution—without the drug. Some rats even died because their conditioned immune response was so strong.
This study was groundbreaking because it disproved the old belief that the immune system functioned independently of the brain and nervous system. Instead, it proved that psychological cues (such as taste) could trigger real, physiological immune changes. This was the foundation of psychoneuroimmunology (PNI)—a now well-established field studying the connection between emotions, neural activity, and immune function.
Does the Article Overstate the Findings?
The article’s main claim—that thoughts and emotions can influence health—is supported by decades of research following Ader’s work. While the original study didn’t claim “the mind alone can kill or heal you,” it opened the door for research showing how stress, emotions, and belief systems directly impact immunity, inflammation, and disease progression.
For example, numerous studies since Ader’s have found:
Chronic stress weakens the immune system and increases disease susceptibility.
Placebo and nocebo effects show that beliefs alone can influence physiological health.
Meditation, gratitude, and positive mental states enhance immune function and recovery.
Addressing the Bigger Picture
So while Ader’s study itself was focused on conditioned immune suppression, it laid the foundation for a now well-documented mind-body connection. The article expands on that concept by discussing how emotions, mindset, and stress levels can impact long-term health—a claim well-supported by modern research in PNI.
Again, I appreciate your critical thinking—always great to have a discussion on important topics like this!
Thanks for adding nuance. I see nothing to disagree with your reply. I think the placebo/nocebo effects are studied for decades with high quality results, however we should be aware of the limits of the said effects. For instance I don't think there is a consensual effect yet on their effects on important illnesses like cancer, and we should be extra cautious when suggesting information that may lead people to change their course of treatment.
I love all of this and believe it
The Adler study absolutely does not say what this article is extrapolating.
Please read it by yourself : https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/document?repid=rep1&type=pdf&doi=8e433d0ae069cf390253feb3548066a66aa92eea
Hi Jerem, thanks for engaging with the post!
I appreciate your skepticism—it’s always good to critically examine claims. I’ve reviewed Ader’s original research, and I’d like to clarify how it supports the article’s core points.
What Ader’s Study Actually Found
Robert Ader, along with Nicholas Cohen, demonstrated immune system conditioning through classical conditioning. Their experiment showed that rats given a sweetened solution paired with an immunosuppressive drug later experienced immune suppression even when they received only the sweetened solution—without the drug. Some rats even died because their conditioned immune response was so strong.
This study was groundbreaking because it disproved the old belief that the immune system functioned independently of the brain and nervous system. Instead, it proved that psychological cues (such as taste) could trigger real, physiological immune changes. This was the foundation of psychoneuroimmunology (PNI)—a now well-established field studying the connection between emotions, neural activity, and immune function.
Does the Article Overstate the Findings?
The article’s main claim—that thoughts and emotions can influence health—is supported by decades of research following Ader’s work. While the original study didn’t claim “the mind alone can kill or heal you,” it opened the door for research showing how stress, emotions, and belief systems directly impact immunity, inflammation, and disease progression.
For example, numerous studies since Ader’s have found:
Chronic stress weakens the immune system and increases disease susceptibility.
Placebo and nocebo effects show that beliefs alone can influence physiological health.
Meditation, gratitude, and positive mental states enhance immune function and recovery.
Addressing the Bigger Picture
So while Ader’s study itself was focused on conditioned immune suppression, it laid the foundation for a now well-documented mind-body connection. The article expands on that concept by discussing how emotions, mindset, and stress levels can impact long-term health—a claim well-supported by modern research in PNI.
Again, I appreciate your critical thinking—always great to have a discussion on important topics like this!
Thanks for adding nuance. I see nothing to disagree with your reply. I think the placebo/nocebo effects are studied for decades with high quality results, however we should be aware of the limits of the said effects. For instance I don't think there is a consensual effect yet on their effects on important illnesses like cancer, and we should be extra cautious when suggesting information that may lead people to change their course of treatment.