Dummy pill improves memory in just three weeks—even when people know it’s a placebo

Talk about mind over matter—people given a dummy, placebo pill still said it improved their memory, their physical strength and stress levels in just three weeks.  And here’s the real kicker: most of them knew they were taking a placebo.

Researchers from the Catholic University in Milan recruited 90 healthy older adults and randomly assigned them to one of three groups: One group received no treatment at all; a second group received placebo pills but was told they were powerful pharmaceuticals (deceptive placebo), and the third was told they were being given a placebo with no active ingredients.

After three weeks, the participants who knowingly took placebo pills experienced lower stress levels than both the deceptive placebo and the control groups. They also showed significant improvements in short-term memory compared with those who received no treatment.

Overall, both placebo groups experienced gains in cognitive and physical performance, although the strongest improvements were generally seen among participants who knew they were taking a placebo.

Physical performance increased by 7 percent in the deceptive placebo group and by 9.2 percent in the open-label placebo group that knew it was taking a dummy pill. Cognitive performance also improved. Depending on the specific test, scores increased by between 12.6 percent and 14.6 percent among participants who believed they were taking a real supplement, while those who knowingly took a placebo improved by between 6.9 percent and 21 percent.

Researchers also observed reductions in drowsiness, and stress levels improved most noticeably among participants who were aware they were taking a placebo.

These impressive results—which outstripped improvements expected from drug therapy and exercise—demonstrate that the mind plays an important role in the aging process. Thoughts, emotions, and self-perception may influence not only psychological well-being but also physical abilities and cognitive function, highlighting the powerful connection between the mind and the body, the researchers say.

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