Embodied cognition and the placebo effect: Implications for temporomandibular disorder therapy

Abstract

Our cognitive state influences our emotional state, whereas negative emotions can lead to cognitive issues such as anxiety and depression and also impact our physical body. Conversely, bodily movements and postures can affect our consciousness, influencing how we believe—either improving or worsening our state. This bidirectional interaction between cognition and the body means that each can influence the other. Understanding this reciprocal relationship can be beneficial in the treatment of temporomandibular disorder (TMD). This article aims to raise awareness of the interplay among cognition, emotion, and the body and to provide orthodontists and patients with TMD with a novel perspective on the treatment of TMD.