The DWR Sunday Disservice – God of the Paradox

Often times placebo effects are all people are seeking, and thus their perception can be skewed by anything that gives the desired placebo effect. Good doesn’t always equal right, and feeling good is by far separation not necessarily associated with truth, or goodness. Often times as with any belief their submission and profession to others is an appeal to the “emotional” rewards of their particular practice. Metaphysics is one such idea in which there isn’t doctrine to convert you, but people certainly do try to appeal to your emotions to make you believe with them. People want you to believe in what they believe because it’s within their need for validation and therein enhances their placebo effect through beliefs. However, placebo effects from belief can be beneficial, and Reiki does have elements which contribute to the belief it is real, beyond feel good effects.

As we all know, human contact, even indirect contact has a profound effect on human health. Humans are one of the few creatures purported to die in the absence of physical contact with other humans. As a person, it is literally possible to die of loneliness, to be so alone that one loses their will to live. Reiki can be a very personal and intimate experience in a profoundly positive way, even though touching does not occur in most forms of it. Reiki does have health benefits by extension, but it’s likely you could get the same benefit out of hugging your loved ones, petting your cat, or kissing your partner as you would from Reiki itself. Reiki can heal because human contact fortifies the human condition with necessary interaction that promotes health, rather than from some strange magic. Furthermore, I’d argue that there are cheaper methods of self care that can be administered without paying someone to wave their hands over you.

The body also produces an EM field, but science is yet to determine whether or not such EM fields have any positive effect. The way I look at it is this. If a placebo helps someone, then let it. I don’t care unless someone expects me to take them at their word with no evidence. I have personally had Reiki done on me, and it feels good but really changes very little. I recommend getting a massage, a shampoo and dry at the salon, back rub, hug, back scratch, et cetera to include Reiki so long as you know what you are buying into with no delusions. All of the above have the same effect on your body, and physical health. Never underestimate the power of a touch from your fellow man, especially when that touch comes from someone with compassion and empathy and the desire to help you. I’d argue that this is an element of attraction to the supernatural, that it’s not the supernatural that is helping them, but the positive affects of the above described human need and of the fulfillment of other needs. Humans shape history, not God as he was never verifiably present to have claim to them.

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My intention was more to speak to the effect of why people believe in it, which is as important to understand. Then I finished with a comparison for Reiki which framed it under it’s actual effect. In the end, I respect the freedom of others. As a result I don’t take a negativistic stand point against people practicing Reiki (assuming rational understanding exists). However, I can see your point of concern. Like I said, I am only describing one effect of religions, that because of the positive “while only placebo” effect people believe in it because it does have personally measurable positive effects on mood (though they are quite ignorant that there are other ways to achieve that).

Reiki is healthy by extension, because of the nature of the gesture (thus why I make the comparison to hugging). However, I am not giving pseudoscience credibility, only recognizing that someone has the right to it. They should also do so with the full understanding there is more effective ways to boost mood and health. Considering I am more forgiving of Reiki, doesn’t necessarily mean I condone the belief that it is as “good as medicine”. I was pretty clear about that. The comparison allows for people who realize that hugs don’t heal to therefore conclude that neither does Reiki, but I add explaination of it’s “positive phenomenon”.

A person’s desire for attention from another human being is still fulfilled by such action (Reiki) through which health benefit can be inferred without further citation. There is probably a biological mechanism for this, like endorphins released by the brain; therefore, understanding of this has real medical value. While I am against embracing placebos as replacement to “real medicine”, I have no reason to object to people engaging in such activities so long as they understand what it is. It is not “real” medicine, but it is real human interaction. I know people who still practice Reiki with full knowledge that it has only minimal health benefits, and cures nothing.

I mention the emotional effects of beliefs and religions, because (In my opinion) if we can create a culture that replaces the social and neurological effects of religion and belief through science, skeptical inquiry, the pursuit of truth, and community that we can truly make progress as a race. People seek religion for the rewards it provides, for security, and from the fear that ignorance brings. If we can teach ourselves as a culture to not hide behind falsehoods to give ourselves security we can truly ween ourselves off of such mythologies. However, you are mistaken that I am taking a position as an accommodator. My apologies for not making that more clear.

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