Sign-In
Cart
The God Effect: How Suggestion and Ritual Shape Religion and Medicine through Placebo Responses
Paperback
Medical ReferenceGeneral Alternative HealthGeneral Psychology
ISBN13: 9781788361439
Publisher: Societas
Published: Jun 2 2026
Pages: 276
Weight: 0.68
Height: 0.58 Width: 5.32 Depth: 8.47
Language: English
The God Effect is the first book of its kind, revealing the way in which there is a common factor which links medicine and religion - the way in which people respond to the actions of doctors, by feeling better, is identical to the way in which people feel better after praying, being counselled, or taking part in religious rituals.
Colin Brewer, a psychiatrist specialising in addictions, charts a long history of medical treatments which turned out to have no effect on the patients' conditions, but where people's morale and sense of well-being improved because they believed in the doctor and his remedies. In the same way, belief in the power of priests, shamans, rabbis, and other religious practitioners, makes people feel subjectively better though often not objectively improved.
Dr Brewer shows that even if, as is often the case, the doctor or priest does not himself believe, the treatments, therapies, rituals, and procedures of medicine and religion still exert the 'placebo effect'.
Surgery as placebo; priests who are atheists; hypnosis; placebo ECT; acupuncture; prayer; homoeopathy; psychoanalysis - Colin Brewer takes aim at a wide range of practices which - his researches show - do not work in the way their practitioners allege.
Also in
General Alternative Health
The Enneagram of Eating: How the 9 Personality Types Influence Your Food, Diet, and Exercise Choices
Gadd, Ann
Paperback
The Healthy Deviant: A Rule Breaker's Guide to Being Healthy in an Unhealthy World
Gerasimo, Pilar
Paperback
The Mystery of Life Energy: Biofield Healing, Phantom Limbs, Group Energetics, and Gaia Consciousness
Leskowitz, Eric
Paperback
It's Just Fucking Meditation: How to Find Yourself, Calm Your Anxiety and Manifest the Life of Your Dreams
Holub, Bryan
Paperback
No Excuses Detox: 100 Recipes to Help You Eat Healthy Every Day [A Cookbook]
Gilmore, Megan
Paperback
Radical Compassion: Learning to Love Yourself and Your World with the Practice of Rain
Brach, Tara
Hardcover
The Strength of Sensitivity: Understanding Empathy for a Life of Emotional Peace & Balance
Mesich, Kyra
Paperback
Weedy Wisdom for the Curious Forager: Common Wild Plants to Nourish Your Body & Soul
Gilbert, Rebecca
Paperback
Essential Oils for the Whole Body: The Dynamics of Topical Application and Absorption
Godfrey, Heather Dawn
Paperback
Healing from Great Loss: Facing Pain and Grief to Recover Your Authentic Self
Clark, Ann J.
Paperback
The Healing Power of the Mind: Practical Techniques for Health and Empowerment
Alexander, Rolf
Paperback
How to Forage for Mushrooms Without Dying: An Absolute Beginner's Guide to Identifying 29 Wild, Edible Mushrooms
Hyman, Frank
Paperback
The Ego Trip: Psychedelic Toads, a Trail of Deaths, and the Guru Who Peddled Transcendence
de Greef, Kimon
Hardcover
The New Autoimmune Protocol: The Complete Guide to Managing Autoimmune Disease, with 75 Delicious Recipes
Trescott, Mickey, Msc
Hardcover
Cancer Is a Parasite: Kill It with the Safe, Over-The-Counter Antiparasitic Fenbendazole
Supple, William F., Jr.
Hardcover
The Way Out: A Revolutionary, Scientifically Proven Approach to Healing Chronic Pain
Ziv, Alon
Gordon, Alan
Paperback
Psychedelic Therapy: A Revolutionary Approach to Restoring Your Mental Health and Reclaiming Your Life
Van Derveer, Will
Kurlander, Keith
Hardcover
Spiritual Portraits of the Energy Release Points: A Compendium of Acupuncture Point Messages Found Within the 12 Meridians and 8 Extraordinary Vessels
Gervais, Michele Marie
Paperback
Die unsichtbare Ordnung des Lebens: Wie verborgene Störungen wirken und wie Sie wieder zu Kraft kommen
Oertel, Jens
Paperback
In the Absence of the Ordinary: Soul Work for Times of Uncertainty--Essays on Grief, Change, and Sacred Transitions
Weller, Francis
Paperback
Back to Eden: The Classic Guide to Herbal Medicine, Natural Foods, and Home Remedies Since 1939
Kloss, Jethro
Paperback
Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine New Edition: 560 Herbs and Remedies for Common Ailments
Chevallier, Andrew
Hardcover
Where the Earth Meets the Sky: A Story of Penguins, People, and Place in Antarctica
Blight, Louise K.
Hardcover
The Green Witch's Garden: Your Complete Guide to Creating and Cultivating a Magical Garden Space
Murphy-Hiscock, Arin
Hardcover
The Great Remembering: Powerful Ancient Practices--And the New Science Bringing Them Back
Cohen, June
Hardcover
The Green Witch Illustrated: An Enchanting Immersion Into the Magic of Natural Witchcraft
Murphy-Hiscock, Arin
Hardcover
Rewired: The Breakthrough Tapping Method to Stop Overthinking, Calm Your Body, and Finally Feel at Ease
Ortner, Nick
Ortner, Jessica
Ortner, Alex
Hardcover
African American Herbalism: A Practical Guide to Healing Plants and Folk Traditions
Vandyke, Lucretia
Paperback
Coming Home to Embodied Awakening: Reclaim Your Body, Power, and Purpose in an Age of AI
Gu, Mingtong
Paperback
The Practical Science of Herbs: An Evidence-Backed Guide to 50 Therapeutic Herbs and How to Use Them
Hill-Hart, Aisha
Paperback
A Handbook of Native American Herbs: The Pocket Guide to 125 Medicinal Plants and Their Uses
Hutchens, Alma R.
Paperback
Mind Your Body: A Revolutionary Program to Release Chronic Pain and Anxiety
Sachs, Nicole J., Lcsw
Hardcover
Heal Your Body: The Mental Causes for Physical Illness and the Metaphysical Way to Overcome Them
Hay, Louise
Paperback
Medicine for All People: Science and Ancient Wisdom for Revolutionary Healing
Maker-Clark, Geeta, MD
Paperback
The Rife Method Manual: 1,000+ Essential Rife Frequencies from A to Z and How to Use Them Safely and Effectively
Harkness, Aaron
Paperback
Science of Yoga: Understand the Anatomy and Physiology to Perfect Your Practice
Swanson, Ann
Paperback
Mayo Clinic. El Libro de Los Remedios Caseros / Mayo Clinic Guide to Home Remedies: Self-Care Solutions for Everyday Health Concerns
Kermott, Cinty
Boriel, Gail
Paperback
The Homesteader's Guide to Natural Wellness: Herbal Medicine and Essential Oils for Your Home Apothecary
Villegas, Heidi
Paperback
The Good Witch's Guide: A Modern-Day Wiccapedia of Magickal Ingredients and Spells
Bedell, Charity
Robbins, Shawn
Hardcover
Somatic Healing: Soothe Your Nervous System with Body-First Therapy: Over 100 Guided Exercises
Winter, Emily
Hardcover
Accessing the Healing Power of the Vagus Nerve: Self-Help Exercises for Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, and Autism
Rosenberg, Stanley
Paperback
Your Guide to Forest Bathing (Expanded Edition): Experience the Healing Power of Nature
Clifford, M. Amos
Paperback
The Un-Prescription for Autism: A Natural Approach for a Calmer, Happier, and More Focused Child
Lintala, Janet
Paperback
Done With The Crying: Help and Healing for Mothers of Estranged Adult Children
McGregor, Sheri
Paperback
Coming Home to Embodied Awakening: Reclaim Your Body, Power, and Purpose in an Age of AI
Gu, Mingtong
Hardcover
Biblioscents for the Gourmet: Fragrant Bookmarks for Savoring the Reading Experience
Aftel, Mandy
Other
Releasing Our Burdens: A Guide to Healing Individual, Ancestral, and Collective Trauma
Hübl, Thomas
Schwartz, Richard C.
Paperback
You Are the Medicine: 13 Moons of Indigenous Wisdom, Ancestral Connection, and Animal Spirit Guidance
Frost, Asha
Paperback
The Essential Low-Oxalate Cookbook: 75 Easy & Delicious Recipes to Avoid Toxic Superfoods and Heal Oxalate Overload
Norton, Sally K., MPH
Paperback
BioGeometry Signatures: Harmonizing the Body's Subtle Energy Exchange with the Environment
Karim Dr Sc, Ibrahim
Paperback
The Homestead Herbal Remedies Guide: Nurture Wellness with Safe and Natural Solutions
Varozza, Georgia
Paperback
The Inner Winter: Indigenous Wisdom for Slow Medicine, Rest, and Renewal in Every Season
Frost, Asha
Paperback
The Five Elements Cookbook: A Guide to Traditional Chinese Medicine with Recipes for Everyday Healing
Gong, Zoey Xinyi
Hardcover
Woman Who Glows in the Dark: A Curandera Reveals Traditional Aztec Secrets of Physical and Spiritual Health
Estes, Clarissa Pinkola
Avila, Elena
Parker, Joy
Paperback
Genie in Your Genes: Epigenetic Medicine and the New Biology of Consciousness
Church, Dawson
Paperback
Plants of the Gods: Their Sacred, Healing, and Hallucinogenic Powers
Hofmann, Albert
Rätsch, Christian
Schultes, Richard Evans
Paperback
Shadow Work Journal and Guide for Beginners: An Introduction to Discovering and Healing Your Unconscious Self
Bramblett, Kelly
Paperback
The Badass Life: 30 Amazing Days to a Lifetime of Great Habits--Body, Mind, and Spirit
Abbott, Christmas
Paperback
Astonished by Beauty: A Field Guide to the Practice of Paying Attention
Fleischner, Thomas Lowe
Paperback
The Rainforest Herbal Apothecary: A Healer's Guide to Folk Rituals and Shamanic Remedies
Ayales, Adriana
Paperback
Juicing for Beginners: The Essential Guide to Juicing Recipes and Juicing for Weight Loss
Callisto Publishing
Paperback
The Detox Miracle Sourcebook: Raw Foods and Herbs for Complete Cellular Regeneration
Morse N. D., Robert S.
Paperback
Hypnobirthing: A Natural Approach to a Safe, Easier, More Comfortable Birthing
Mongan, Marie
Paperback
Full Catastrophe Living: Using the Wisdom of Your Body and Mind to Face Stress, Pain, and Illness
Kabat-Zinn, Jon
Paperback
Our Ancestors Want Us to Be Mushrooms: Wisdom for Living in Balance with the Planet and Each Other
Murphy Barney, Madison
Paperback
Write Yourself Home: A Creative Guide for Living Well in the Body You Have Through Embodied Writing and Movement Practice
Franzel, Johanna
Paperback
The Black Sheep Therapist: Integrating Spiritual & Energy-Based Modalities in Your Clinical Practice
Vitolo, Tina
Paperback
The Gratitude Journal for Women: Find Happiness and Peace in 5 Minutes a Day
Furman, Katherine
Paperback
Art & Practice of Spiritual Herbalism: Transform, Heal, and Remember with the Power of Plants and Ancestral Medicine
Rose, Karen M.
Paperback
Garden Yourself Happy: A Quirky, Practical Guide to Keeping You and Your Garden Thriving
Hincks, Jonny
Hardcover
The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Medicine: A New Translation of the Neijing Suwen with Commentary
Ni, Maoshing
Paperback
Dark Shadow, Golden Shadow: Magickal Tools and Tarot to Confront Your Fears and Free Your Potential
Knight, Shannon
Paperback
The Encyclopedia of Ailments and Diseases: How to Heal the Conflicted Feelings, Emotions, and Thoughts at the Root of Illness
Martel, Jacques
Paperback
The Earthwise Herbal, Volume I: A Complete Guide to Old World Medicinal Plants
Wood, Matthew
Paperback
The Unwritten Prescription: A Science-Backed, Soul-Centered Guide to Reclaim Your Health and Unlock Your Full Potential
Koche, Lisa Saff
Hardcover