It’s not just what you put on your plate or into your body—your mindset can literally change how your body responds.
🔬 Example 1: The Milkshake Study
Researchers gave participants the same shake twice, but told them it was different each time.
When labeled a “health shake,” participants produced more of the hunger hormone ghrelin and reported feeling hungrier.
When labeled an “indulgent shake,” ghrelin dropped and they felt more satisfied.
👉 Same nutrients. Totally different biological response—driven by beliefs.
(Crum et al., 2011, Health Psychol. doi:10.1037/a0023467)
🔬 Example 2: The Placebo Effect in Exercise
In another study, hotel housekeepers were told that their daily work (vacuuming, scrubbing, lifting) counted as exercise. Within 4 weeks, those who shifted their belief about activity showed lower blood pressure, weight, and waist-to-hip ratio—despite no change in actual behavior.
(Crum & Langer, 2007, Psychol Sci. doi:10.1111/j.1467-9280.2007.01986.x)
🔬 Example 3: Stress Mindset
Women told that stress could be enhancing (versus harmful) had better physiological and cognitive outcomes under pressure.
(Crum et al., 2013, J Pers Soc Psychol. doi:10.1037/a0024197)
Midlife is full of physical changes—hot flashes, sleep disruption, weight shifts, mood swings. But how you perceive and frame these changes can shape outcomes:
If you view menopause as a “decline,” your brain and body respond with stress and negative expectation.
If you view it as a transition and opportunity—to reset habits, strength-train, prioritize sleep, or seek treatments—you’re more likely to experience better physical, emotional, and metabolic health.
💡 The brain is not just reacting—it’s predicting. Mindset shifts can literally change hormone levels, cravings, metabolism, and even treatment outcomes