The Suggestible Brain: Science, Magic, and Power of Suggestion

Andrew Domngern, a program manager on the Photos and G1 team at Google, introduced Dr. Amir Raz, a neuroscientist and accomplished magician. Dr. Raz is a TED Talk speaker, chief medical research officer, professor at Cornell, Columbia, and McGill, and founding director of the Brain Institute at Chapman University. He is also the author of the new book, "The Suggestible Brain—The Science and Magic of How We Make Up Our Minds."

The Unique Blend of Science and Magic

Dr. Raz highlighted the unusual combination of being both a serious scientist and an accomplished magician. This dual perspective offers unique insights into the power of suggestion. He explained that while people have an intuitive understanding of suggestion from everyday life, scientists and magicians approach it very differently. Magicians use suggestion deceptively for entertainment, sometimes with sinister potential, whereas scientists operate openly, publishing their findings for public dissemination.

Studying Suggestion in the Lab

To illustrate how suggestion is studied scientifically, Dr. Raz presented a demonstration from his lab. He showed a video of four dancing lines, which initially appeared as a fuzzy, undefined motion. However, when occluders were placed at the corners, the lines clearly formed a diamond moving in a clockwise direction. This phenomenon, known as the "occluded diamond task," demonstrates how our brains perceive motion.

Dr. Raz's experiment aimed to see if suggestion could replicate the effect of physical occluders. Participants were given a suggestion that occluders were present, even when they weren't visually displayed. The results showed that for highly suggestible individuals, the brain activation and behavior were similar to when actual occluders were present. This indicates that suggestion can profoundly shape perceptions, behaviors, and even physiological experiences.

The Broader Impact of Suggestion

Dr. Raz emphasized that everyone is susceptible to some form of suggestion, though some individuals are highly suggestible or hypnotizable. He noted that while scientists publish their findings in academic journals, this information often doesn't reach the general public. His book aims to bridge this gap, bringing insights from both scientific research and the practical application of suggestion by magicians, advertisers, and even political strategists. He highlighted how suggestion can influence major life decisions, from career choices to relationships and voting behavior.

The Suggestible Brain and Placebo Effects

The discussion then shifted to the concept of the "suggestible brain" and the placebo effect. Dr. Raz explained that placebo effects are essentially expectation effects, where biochemically inactive substances can produce real physiological and psychological changes. Historically, it was believed that placebos only worked through deception. However, recent research has shown that "open-label placebos"—where individuals are told they are receiving a placebo but are also told it will help them—can still be effective for conditions like migraines and lower back pain.

A Magician's Demonstration of Suggestion

To demonstrate the power of suggestion in a more engaging way, Dr. Raz performed a magic trick with Andrew Domngern using "invisible dice." Andrew was asked to roll two invisible dice and report the results. He initially reported rolling two 6s, then two 1s. Dr. Raz then asked him to roll one die, and Andrew reported a 5. For the final roll, Dr. Raz instructed Andrew not to reveal the numbers immediately. After a moment, Dr. Raz correctly guessed that Andrew had rolled a 4 and a 3.

Dr. Raz explained that he had to adapt his technique midway through the trick because he realized Andrew had read his book, which describes similar demonstrations. This highlights the dynamic and adaptive nature of suggestion in practice.

Suggestion, Free Will, and Manipulation

The demonstration led to a discussion about free will and the extent to which individuals can be influenced. Dr. Raz posed a philosophical question: Are we truly the agents of our actions, or can others orchestrate our decisions while making us believe they are our own? Andrew expressed his astonishment at the trick, acknowledging the profound impact of suggestion even when he tried to anticipate it.

While magicians are often guarded about their secrets, Dr. Raz's book provides insights into the concepts behind these effects, allowing intelligent readers to explore further.

Navigating a World of Information and Influence

In today's world, with rapid information flow, misinformation, deepfakes, and echo chambers, understanding suggestion is more critical than ever. Dr. Raz emphasized that his book offers practical takeaways beyond just critical thinking. It provides specific tips on evaluating information, such as distinguishing between statistical and clinical significance in medical contexts, and addressing social biases.

Suggestion as an Alternative to Antidepressants

A significant point of discussion was Dr. Raz's advocacy for the power of suggestion as an effective means, sometimes even in place of, antidepressants. He noted that millions of people worldwide take antidepressants, which are a cornerstone of modern psychiatry. However, he pointed out that scientifically, when compared to placebos, antidepressants are often clinically on par for most cases.

Dr. Raz highlighted that placebos are cheaper, have no side effects, and avoid withdrawal symptoms. He acknowledged the influence of big pharma, politics, and insurance companies but stressed that from a scientific perspective, the effectiveness of antidepressants has been overstated. He argued that the data supports the existence of other, often better or equally good, options that frequently involve suggestion, particularly for a serious biological illness like depression.

The Power of Hope and Mindset

Dr. Raz concluded by quoting a passage from his book: "The power of words, suggestions, and expectations show that mindset holds far greater medical weight than one imagined. Now, hope is the magical ingredient that our suggestible brain so desperately desires, and suggestion is a potent conduit to fuel and realize this kind of magic."

Key Takeaways

Dr. Raz's parting thoughts emphasized that suggestion is not merely a tool for magicians or hypnotists but a fundamental aspect of human neuropsychology that permeates all areas of life. Understanding suggestion allows individuals to:

• Harness its power to improve well-being.
• Resist manipulation.
• Better navigate personal realities.

He stressed that suggestibility is not a weakness but a complex and deeply rooted aspect of the human mind that can be leveraged for advantage in areas ranging from mental health and performance sports to self-regulation and resilience training. Our mindsets and brain states are as trainable and pliable as our physical characteristics, and we should utilize scientific research and even the insights of magicians to tap into this mind-body domain.

Dr. Raz's book, "The Suggestible Brain—The Science and Magic of How We Make Up Our Minds," is available on the Hachette website, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other major booksellers. An audiobook version is also available, with Dr. Raz narrating the introduction.