Believing in fake steroids can make you stronger — but only if you don’t know it’s fake
Expectancy effects and strength training: do steroids make a difference?
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Some strong lifters were told they were taking powerful steroids, but they were actually given fake sugar pills. They got stronger because they believed in the drug. When scientists told half of them it was fake, their strength gains went away.
Surprising Findings
Placebos mimicked the performance effects of anabolic steroids in elite athletes.
Most people assume steroids produce purely chemical, physical changes—but this shows belief alone can trigger similar gains, even in highly trained individuals who rely on measurable strength.
Practical Takeaways
Use belief and expectation strategically in training by cultivating strong confidence in your routine or supplements—even if they're not pharmacologically powerful.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Some strong lifters were told they were taking powerful steroids, but they were actually given fake sugar pills. They got stronger because they believed in the drug. When scientists told half of them it was fake, their strength gains went away.
Surprising Findings
Placebos mimicked the performance effects of anabolic steroids in elite athletes.
Most people assume steroids produce purely chemical, physical changes—but this shows belief alone can trigger similar gains, even in highly trained individuals who rely on measurable strength.
Practical Takeaways
Use belief and expectation strategically in training by cultivating strong confidence in your routine or supplements—even if they're not pharmacologically powerful.
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Claims (3)
If powerlifters think they're taking steroids—even when they're just getting a fake pill—they might still get stronger, just because their mind expects it to work.
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.
Just believing you're getting a performance boost — even if you're not taking any real drugs — can actually help competitive powerlifters get stronger, showing that mindset really matters in top-level sports.