Placebo
Other names Placebo Pill, Sugar Pill
A placebo pill has no active ingredients, which means it has no significant direct biochemical effects. Placebo pills can have very strong psychological effects though. The belief that you're taking something that can help you feel and perform better is known as the placebo effect and is usually controlled for in studies because of its large impact on people's cognition and behavior.
This nootropic has no healthy human placebo-controlled studies that meet our inclusion criteria. Negative side effects can occur if used carelessly, so make sure you’re aware of the risks of Placebo.
Benefits
Read about the effects of Placebo in relation to the amount of evidence we've found
Can taking a placebo improve your cognition?
In one study, 75 healthy adults received either a placebo, nothing, or nocebo. [2] Participants were primed to expect a performance-enhancing effect from the placebo, a performance-impairing effect from the nocebo, and nothing from the control.
It was found that the participants in the placebo group did not perform worse or better than those in the nocebo or placebo group. However, placebo group participants felt less tired and more cognitively proficient.
Risks
The legality and side effects of Placebo
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Placebo
Studies
Studies conducted on the effects of Placebo in healthy humans
Last updated Saturday, June 10, 2023