The Claim
In competitive power lifters, informing them that they are receiving a placebo rather than anabolic steroids reduces previously observed performance improvements associated with expectancy, suggesting that the psychological belief in receiving steroids is a primary mechanism behind the initial performance gains.
What the research says
Supports is higher
Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.
These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.
If powerlifters think they’re taking steroids but are actually told it’s just a placebo, their performance boost goes away — meaning the mind plays a big role in the gains they thought came from drugs.
See the scientific wording
When competitive power lifters are informed that they are receiving a placebo instead of anabolic steroids, previously observed performance improvements linked to expectancy largely dissipate, indicating that the psychological effect of belief is a key driver of the initial gains.
What the research says
1 studyStudy: Expectancy effects and strength training: do steroids make a difference?
The study shows that when power lifters thought they were taking steroids, they got stronger, but when told it was just a sugar pill, their performance gains went away—proving belief plays a big role.
Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.