Placebo effects can really shape how people think about brain-boosting supplements.

Studies show that around 30% to 50% of people may feel smarter or more focused after taking a placebo, which is a pill with no active ingredients.

One large review of many studies found that placebos can have a noticeable effect on how well someone thinks, with a score of $d = 0.4$ for cognitive performance.

Here are some important points to remember:

• Placebos can create effects that feel like real improvements in thinking skills.
• Research suggests that up to 70% of the benefits people say they get from cognitive boosters might actually come from these placebo effects.
• It's really important to understand how placebos work to better judge how well these brain-boosting methods truly work.