Why your mindset matters

Curious just how powerful your mindset is?

Let me introduce you to Dr. Alia Crum, a leading psychologist at Stanford University, and her incredible Milkshake Study.

In the study, participants drank a milkshake on two separate days. (Talk about a dream experiment!) On one day, they were told the milkshake was a “140-calorie sensible shake.” On the other, they were told it was a “620-calorie indulgent shake.” Each milkshake was labeled with corresponding nutrition information.

Here’s the twist: both milkshakes were exactly the same—380 calories each.

The research team measured participants’ ghrelin levels (aka the hunger hormone) each session. Ghrelin levels typically decrease after eating, signaling fullness. (Feeling hangry? Your ghrelin level is likely high.)

What makes this study so fascinating? The results:

When participants thought they were drinking the indulgent shake, their ghrelin levels dropped significantly more than when they believed they were drinking the sensible shake.

Pause and think about that for a moment…

The way participants thought about their milkshake affected how their body processed it! When they believed they were eating indulgently, their body chemistry changed and they felt more full than when they thought they had drank a sensible diet shake. The way they thought about their food changed how their body processed their food!

Isn’t this incredible? Dr. Crum’s work shows that our mindset doesn’t just influence our thoughts—it impacts our physiology!

This study highlights an essential truth: the total effect of our actions isn’t just about what we do—it’s also about what we think about what we do.

Your mindset matters. It’s a powerful tool that shapes your life. So what are you thinking about today my friend?

Stay curious,

Missy
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P.S. Want to dive deeper? Check out Dr. Crum’s Milkshake Study and more on the Huberman Lab Podcast here.