The Power Of Beliefs In fact, beliefs not only determine our psychological states but they can also affect us at a physiological level. A remarkable study was done on schizophrenia a while ago. One case involved a woman with a spilt personality. Normally her blood sugar levels were completely normal. But when she believed she was a diabetic in one of her split personalities, her whole physiology changed to become that of a diabetic. This change was measured by doctors present. Her belief became her reality. Because she totally believed, without doubt or question , this belief changed her entire physiological state. Although this may sound extraordinary, this case is true and is well documented. In fact, you may have seen numerous hypnotic demonstrations where a person is touched with a piece of ice which is represented to him as a piece of boiling hot metal.  A belief is planted in his mind that this piece of ice is in fact a piece of hot metal. If the subject accepts this belief - invariably a blister will develop at the point of contact. Yes - A real physical blister! Can you see what is happening here ?  What counted was not the reality of the situation but the belief - the subject's brain and nervous system believed that the skin was being touched by a hot metal rod and acted accordingly. Even though this was not true - it makes no difference - because by believing it was true, he responded as if it was true.