Mindful Modulation of Attention in Placebo Effect

This thesis explores the crucial role of mindful attention and the placebo effect within mind-body mechanisms, utilizing an interdisciplinary approach rooted in the Bayesian model of the mind. It posits that mindful attention, and the modulation of expectations can significantly influence psychophysical responses, enhancing well-being and optimizing therapeutic outcomes. The work begins by addressing the limitations of Cartesian dualism and adopts a holistic perspective, examining how expectations and mindful awareness can reshape bodily perceptions and the mind-body relationship. The thesis opens with an overview of the placebo and nocebo effects, discussing their clinical relevance and the principles of the Bayesian model. It highlights the interaction between perception and expectations, demonstrating how mindful attention can improve sensory data accuracy and promote positive psychophysical responses. The central objectives include analyzing the role of attention in these effects, exploring mindfulness as a protective factor against stress, and assessing the impact of social factors on mental health in a post-pandemic context. In the results section, the thesis examines how attention influences placebo and nocebo responses, providing evidence that mindful attention can amplify therapeutic effects through expectation recalibration. It also discusses mindfulness as a resilience factor in stressful situations, such as during the pandemic, and its benefits for psychological well-being. Furthermore, it explores the pandemic's impact on social anxiety and caregiving dynamics, emphasizing how expectations shape health perceptions and treatment adherence. The final discussion integrates the conclusions from various chapters, suggesting that mindfulness and the open-label placebo (OLP) can enhance therapeutic outcomes by reducing automatic reactions and improving pain and discomfort management. The thesis concludes by underscoring the importance of an interdisciplinary approach and the need for future longitudinal studies to investigate further the long-term effects of mindfulness and OLP in clinical practice, particularly concerning the ethical use of psychological and clinical resources.