Yet, unfortunately, some people believe we are as we are, and no mental practices can change us. So how do these people account for the placebo effect? All doctors know that a dummy pill, with nothing in it, will cure a substantial proportion of their patients.Yet, if there is nothing in the pill, what is curing them? Their be liefs are curing them. They improve because they believe they can. If beliefs can cure our body, they can surely help our spirit.