This thinking is
backed by Italian exercise researcher Samuele Marcora, Ph.D., who studies something called motivation intensity theory,
or MIT.
For the most part, says Marcora, they work because perceived exertion-
a sense of effort- is what matters most in endurance exercise.
Marcora says the stronger the belief,
the stronger the effect on the outcome- and religious beliefs are among the strongest convictions that human beings have.
Professor Samuele Marcora suggests that reducing perception of effort during exercise using caffeine
or other psychoactive drugs(e.g. methylphenidate and modafinil) could help many people stick to their fitness plans.
Professor Marcora suggests that reducing perception of effort during exercise
using caffeine(or other psychoactive drugs like methylphenidate and modafinil) could help the many people who find difficult to stick to their fitness plans.
Whilst acknowledging that such an intervention is both drastic and controversial, Professor Marcora points out that perception of effort is one
of the main reasons why most people choose sedentary activities for their leisure time.
Professor Marcora also states that whilst there is no strong ethical
opposition to the use of psychoactive drugs to help quit smoking(nicotine) or treat obesity(appetite suppressants), the negative perception of doping in sport may prevent the use of stimulants and other psychoactive drugs to treat physical inactivity.