Though it’s generally accepted that the human mind affects the body, the extent of the relationship is not always understood. Soul & Science: The Power of the Mind offers dramatic examples supported by scientific data of people who have recovered from debilitating physical and mental illnesses, including depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, without the aid of medication.

The documentary shares the surprising cases of dramatic patient recoveries prompted by the use of placebos, including the story of a dyskinetic woman whose violent flailing and other dramatic symptoms disappear after she is told that she has undergone corrective brain surgery. It incorporates observations from researchers at established institutions in Europe and America, including a scientist from Turin who shares his remarkable success using placebos to treat patients with Parkinson’s disease.

Soul & Science asserts the importance of alternative methods, including meditation and visualization, in treating patients and strives to demonstrate the deep-seated connection between the immune system and the brain.