Now look at it another way. Think back to a time when you were deeply worried, tense and jumpy. Perhaps someone was ill. Perhaps there was a personal problem concerning your job. Did you smoke excessively? Did that excessive smoking really provide relaxation, or did it merely result in a “smoked out” feeling—thick tongue and raw throat?
One other element of this theory that “cigarettes relax me” is interesting. Just the conviction that the statement is true is sufficient to give it some validity.
For example, you’ve heard about “placebos.” They’re pills, usually, that contain no medicine, and they’re sometimes given to patients so that the patients will think they’re getting medication. Hypochondriacs are given them very frequently; says the doctor as he dispenses a dozen of these colorful capsules of nothing, “This is a new preparation, Mrs. Smith. I think it will help you.”
And do you know what? The “new preparation” does help! By swallowing placebos people lose weight, gain weight, are freed from migraine headaches, hear better, see better, gain relief from aches, are “tranquilized,” or abound with new energy. It’s wonderful what conviction can do!
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