Your beliefs and intentions regarding your current state of health have a lot to do with that state.

 

There is a growing school of thought that has proven, through research, that your beliefs about what you take in to your body matter as much, or more, than the actual efficacy of the substance. Much study has been done on the placebo and nocebo effects within a body, and there is strong evidence, through epidemiological studies, that one's belief plays a huge part in the healing (or destructive) effects of the administered substance. 

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We have all heard of 'sugar pills'. They work as well as pharmaceutical drugs much of the time. Placebo means "I shall please." People in medicine began using "placebo" for inert preparations prescribed solely for a patient's mental relief, and not for relieving a disorder, in the late 18th century. As doctors began to observe the effects of placebos, some noticed that the inert preparations actually worked to heal ailments in the patients.

 

Other times, the 'nocebo' effect would take place. English speakers began using the word nocebo for substances causing such adverse reactions in patients in 1961.This occurs when a harmless substance or treatment, when taken by or administered to a patient, is associated with harmful side effects or worsening of symptoms due to negative expectations or the psychological condition of the patient. Nocent has been in the English language as a word for "harmful" since the 15th century. It comes from Latin nocēre, meaning "to harm." Latin nocebo is a close relative that means "I will be harmful".

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We also know that prayer, and a strong belief system, can work miracles in curing diseases or creating health and wellness. Your intentions and beliefs affect the outcome of your situations. This goes for every aspect of your life, including your state of health, your immune function, your mental state, and so on.