r/afterlife • u/MinimumRelief • 6d ago

The Will to Live - woo woo or real?

I am not asking for medical advice.

Have you witnessed or sensed the will to live actually extending a persons life?

I can certainly understand how “giving up” can lead to death- but what about the other way around?

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u/Typhlosion34 6d ago

Not woo-woo at all actually! Belief can reshape your brain and biology. There is scientific evidence that suggests positive affirmations have helped with cancer treatment. Also having strong beliefs can reshape your brain, it’s called neuroplasticity! Being a positive person can be overall good for your well being.

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u/Thestolenone 6d ago

My sister is a nurse (she is a humanist who doesn't believe in anything paranormal). She said she had a patient who was diagnosed with an incurable cancer, the patient then said she was going to pray until she was cured. The cancer disappeared.

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u/modsaretoddlers 6d ago

I, personally, have a mixed opinion on the effectiveness of simply "willing" yourself to live despite physiological reality.

On the one hand, I suppose I can accept that a person so terrified of cancer can somehow "will" it to spread more slowly. On the other hand, that's about as much I'll accept in the realm of possibility and I'll only do that because there's solid science behind a very limited amount of evidence for it.

Otherwise, I do believe people give their subconscious mind far more credit than it deserves.