The mind is powerful.
A scientist wanted to test a theory and needed a volunteer who was willing to go through with the experiment completely. He found a death row prisoner who was about to be executed in the electric chair.
The scientist made him an offer: he would take part in a scientific test where a small cut would be made on his wrist, allowing his blood to slowly drip out until the last drop. The scientist explained that there was very little chance of survival, but if he died, it would be painless—he wouldn’t even feel it happening.
The prisoner agreed, thinking this was a much better way to die than the electric chair. He was placed on a stretcher and tied down so he couldn’t move. The scientist then made a tiny cut on his wrist and placed a small metal bowl underneath his arm.
In reality, the cut was not deep—it only touched the first layers of skin and did not hit any veins. But the prisoner believed his veins had been cut. Under the bed, the scientist placed a bottle of liquid connected to a small valve that controlled the drip.
The sound of the liquid dripping into the bowl made the prisoner believe his blood was leaving his body. He had no idea that he wasn’t actually losing any blood at all.