Originally Posted by livedarklions

​​​​​​Really maybe actually reread the statement I'm actually making instead of assuming you know what I have or haven't managed. I've basically had to remodel my entire body and drastically change my entire daily routine to get to the point where I can actually walk any significant distance without paying for it over several entirely sleepless nights. So, yes I am very aware of the usefulness of visualization in managing pain.

What you're missing is that I'm saying that the placebo effect is itself a visualization technique. That's a good thing. There's now research showing that people with chronic conditions who are actually told that the pill they are getting is a placebo actually show improvement. In other words, they're actually consciously visualizing this sugar pill is helping them. I'm a great believer in the usefulness of placebo.

I've said several times that my problem with this is the absurd electrical explanation--you feel better walking barefoot, by all means, do it. I was very specific in saying that it's the naming of a false mechanism, in this case electricity, that is widely available and actually dangerous if mishandled is a bad thing to do, especially when it's clear that the reason it's being done is to make people buy special shoes or whatever. I'm sorry, but I'm way past the point where I see obvious false information becoming widespread as being benign. Seriously, we had people taking aquarium cleaner to treat COVID, and you don't see the potential harm of misinformation? I think telling people who are in pain and desperate that what they need is to channel more electricity through their body is not a benign piece of misinformation. Some people are true shut-ins who can't go outside. I don't think it's at all farfetched for them to experiment with "earth circuit" simulators.

So here's my syllogism:
Visualization is good for dealing with pain.
Placebo is visualization.
Therefore, placebo is good for dealing with pain.

The danger of this is that if the placebo itself is harmful, then it negates the good that visualization can do, and may actually be worse than doing nothing.

Frankly, if this was being sold as a mystical way to commune with Gaia or whatever, I'd be a lot more comfortable with it.

Now if you can stop arguing with things I didn't say, and providing me with a false biography, I'd appreciate it.