Manifestation is popular, but does science back it?
Manifesting is a trend that has gained popularity recently, drawing in many supporters under the promise of being able to make our deepest wishes a reality. When I was first introduced to manifesting, I delved into the world of subliminals and intentional journaling. I never really understood the exact science or mechanism behind it, but it was something that kept me sane, so I kept going.
It was not until my classes became a lot harder that I really leaned on manifesting — regardless of whether I thought it was going to work or not. I just needed some type of lifeline. As it kept me more grounded, the more I practiced it consistently, I began to truly wonder about how exactly this was able to make me feel so confident and, honestly, a little stress-free.
That is when I came across James Doty, a physician, neuroscientist, and adjunct professor at the Stanford School of Medicine. He wrote a book, “Mind Magic: The Neuroscience of Manifestation and How It Changes Everything.” I learned a lot about this book through Julia Ries Wexler’s article from SELF, “I’m a Neuroscientist. Here’s Why I Believe in the Power of Manifestation,” a summary of “Mind Magic” and Doty’s explanations of the science behind manifestations. According to Doty, common manifestation techniques include writing down intentions, silently reading, reading aloud, visualization and repetition.
Wexler starts off by stating that manifestation is regarded as a “legitimate self-development technique,” and writes that, according to Doty, manifestation works because it helps you rewire your brain to “subconsciously seek out something that you want,” making it easier for you to take the necessary steps to reach your goal effectively. Consistently thinking about something that you truly want and putting the effort into visualizing allows you to create strong neural pathways that can help motivate you and your brain. Specifically, the brain releases oxytocin neurotransmitters, and this “gives it cognitive resources to achieve your goals,” says Doty. Throughout my reading of this article, it started to make more sense to me. If you tell your brain something over and over again, visualizing through vision boards, consistent journaling and affirmations, your brain will inherently be more motivated to make that desire come true. In fact, Doty states that manifestation allows our brain to notice potential opportunities to make our dreams come true.
Doty not only emphasizes the importance of manifestation but also prioritizes manifesting with your parasympathetic nervous system instead of your sympathetic nervous system. In other words, Wexler explains that manifesting works better when your body relaxes, instead of being in a constant fight-or-flight state. In fact, the biggest obstacles against manifestation are negative self-talk, which can also add up to an increased stressful state. Doty says to combat these effects through inundating your brain with “positive affirmations,” or encouraging statements about what you are capable of accomplishing.
It is not just Doty and Wexler who have backed up beliefs about manifestation. In a National Institute of Health (NIH) Study by Dixon, et. al., “‘The Secret’ to Success? The Psychology of Belief in Manifestation,” over one-third of participants endorsed manifestation beliefs. These participants scored higher on perceiving themselves as more successful and more likely to achieve future success.
I knew that manifestation proved to be my lifeline simply because it was something stable and consistent I could always turn back to in times of hardship. However, I was completely unaware of the scientific proof that manifestation truly has a positive effect on our brain chemistry. With this new and improved understanding, I assure you that manifestation will always stay a concrete and permanent part of my daily life — and maybe you should try it too.