Day 21: One thing I learned today...
Genetics vs the Mind
Researchers at Stanford University conducted a study to see if genetics or the mind was more powerful.
The Study included 223 participants divided into the following groups:
Group 1: participants were (falsely) told that they carried a gene that makes them have lower endurance and find prolonged exercise very difficult.
Group 2: participants were (falsely) told they carried a gene that makes it easier to feel full and less likely to overeat.
So was just being told about these genes (even though it was untrue) affect exercise and overeating?
Before the participants were given the false information, an endurance test was completed for the first group and a meal with measurement of hormones and feeling of fullness was conducted for the second group.
Then after receiving the false information, the participants completed the same activities/assessments.
Results:
Group 1: Endurance, oxygen uptake, and lung capacity was significantly lower than it was before learning about their "genetic results"
Group 2: Feelings of fullness were significantly higher and hunger hormone (ghrelin) was significantly lower than before learning about their "genetic results"
In conclusion, receiving the false information changed individuals perceived exertion and running endurance as well as perceived fullness.
Mindset plays a role in our diet and exercise routines.
Source:
Turnwald, Bradley P et al. “Learning one's genetic risk changes physiology independent of actual genetic risk.” Nature human behaviour vol. 3,1 (2019): 48-56. doi:10.1038/s41562-018-0483-4
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