Originally Posted by Fletch XXX

yep.

How can the mind affect physical diseases?

It is well known that the mind can cause physical symptoms. For example, when we are afraid or anxious we may develop: a fast heart rate, palpitations, feeling sick, shaking (tremor), sweating, dry mouth, chest pain, headaches, a 'knot in the stomach', fast breathing. These physical symptoms are due to an 'overdrive' of nervous impulses sent from the brain to various parts of the body, and to the release of adrenaline into the bloodstream when we are anxious.

However, the exact way the mind can cause certain other symptoms is not clear. Also, how the mind can affect actual physical diseases (rashes, blood pressure, the extent of heart disease, etc) is not clear. It may have something to do with nervous impulses going to the body which we do not fully understand. There is also some evidence that the brain may be able to affect certain cells of the immune system, which is involved in various physical diseases.

http://www.patient.co.uk/showdoc/27000225/