Dr Hutch: ‘I once thought ketones were so good they’d rendered training obsolete’

The deeper your pockets, the better the placebo effect

Ketones are strong stuff, especially when you’re drunk on self-deception
Ketones are strong stuff, especially when you’re drunk on self-deception
(Image credit: Shutterstock)

There are several factors that influence the effectiveness of a placebo medical treatment. The qualifications of the person handing it over help – a placebo works better coming from a doctor than coming from your mum. Inconvenience or discomfort will help too, for instance placebo injections are much more effective than placebo tablets.

Dr Hutch profile
Michael Hutchinson

Michael Hutchinson is a writer, journalist and former professional cyclist. As a rider he won multiple national titles in both Britain and Ireland and competed at the World Championships and the Commonwealth Games. He was a three-time Brompton folding-bike World Champion, and once hit 73 mph riding down a hill in Wales. His Dr Hutch columns appears in every issue of Cycling Weekly magazine

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