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There is an age-old proverb that says time can heal all wounds, but just how true is this? A study was recently carried out to delve into the relation of time, wounds and mindset.

Time Heals All Wounds

Researchers found that a person's mindset affects wound healing speed. When they perceive time as passing faster, healing happens faster. Harvard University psychologists Peter Aungle and Ellen Langer's study supports the mind-body relationship, urging consideration of psychological factors in recovery. 

While scientists explore mental attitude's impact on health, this lab study suggests a broader brain-body link. The researchers hypothesized that manipulating perceived time could alter the healing pace based on the theory of mind-body unity, which posits bidirectional mind-body influences.

Sampling Wounds and Mindset

In the study published in Scientific Reports, volunteers experienced mild wounds under different time perceptions. They were wounded three times: in a scenario where time progressed normally for 28 minutes, in a scenario where time was slowed down to feel like 14 minutes, and in a scenario where time was sped up to feel like 56 minutes, all while lasting 28 actual minutes.

To manipulate the perception of time, the researchers used various techniques like altering timer speeds, showing videos and changing the frequency of wound checks.

Despite the actual time being constant, more healing was observed in the scenario where time felt faster compared to when it felt normal, and even more so compared to when it felt slower.

This complex mind-body relationship has intrigued researchers for a long time. It explains why placebos, which work by the power of suggestion, are still used in experiments. While the impact of emotions on health is recognized - stress can cause inflammation, for instance - less concrete psychological factors like time perception remain less explored.