The placebo effect on caffeine Research methodology

Introduction Placebo In one common placebo procedure a patient is given an inert pill, told that it may improve his/her condition, but not told that it is in fact inert. Placebo effect Sometimes patients given a placebo treatment will have a perceived, or actual improvement in a medical condition, a phenomenon commonly called the placebo effect. Hypothesis The participants who received regular coffee will be more alert and will have a lower reaction time than the participants who received decaf coffee.

Method Survey Reaction time tests Two groups, 32 participants in total Decaf and regular coffee Absorbtion time bloodstream Tolerance Age Male or female

Results of the circle test

Results of the square test

Results of the survey Do the participants feel more alert after drinking our coffee? decaf caffeine

Conclusion Can the placebo effect increase the mental and physical alertness? Yes, both mental and physical.