Key researchers: Dr. Michael R. Scheeringa, Dr. Ted Kaptchuk & others (2015–2022)

This group of studies tested a bold idea: Can children improve with a placebo, even if they’re told it’s a placebo?

Who was involved?
Children diagnosed with ADHD or depression. In some trials, parents were also closely involved in the administration process.

What is an “open-label placebo”?
Unlike traditional placebos (where participants are unaware), in these studies children were explicitly told:

“This is a sugar pill with no medicine. But studies show that placebos can still work if you believe they might help.”

What did they do?
Children were asked to take the placebo daily, often within a supportive routine. Parents were encouraged to treat the ritual as meaningful, reinforcing positivity and calm.

What were the outcomes?
Children showed significant improvements in mood, focus, and even sleep.

In ADHD cases, symptoms like restlessness and difficulty concentrating were reduced.

In depression trials, some children reported feeling more hopeful, emotionally balanced, and calmer, even without active medication.

How is this possible?
It comes down to expectation, consistency, and parental modeling. The act of doing something purposeful (like taking a gummy daily) — with a trusted adult reinforcing its potential — taps into the brain’s neuroplasticity and self-regulation systems.

📚 Takeaway: Kids don't need to be “tricked” — the ritual itself, when paired with belief and storytelling, is enough to produce real psychological benefits.

This study explored whether children could experience real improvements in attention and emotional regulation simply through the belief that they were taking something helpful.

Who was involved?
86 children aged 6–10 years, all reported by parents and teachers to show attention problems (similar to traits found in ADHD), were enrolled.

What happened?
The children were randomly assigned to receive either a Bach Flower Remedy (a popular alternative treatment made from flower essences) or a placebo version — with neither the parents, children, nor researchers knowing who had what. The remedy was taken three times a day over 3 weeks.

What did they measure?
Researchers tracked behaviour and attention via validated parent and teacher questionnaires at multiple points during the study.

What were the results?
Surprisingly, both groups — including the placebo group — showed equal improvements in attention, emotional regulation, and general behaviour. This suggested that just taking something believed to be helpful, within a supportive routine, led to noticeable changes.

Why it matters:
The study coined the term “placebo by proxy”, highlighting how children’s belief systems are deeply shaped by the cues and expectations of caregivers. When parents believe something will work, children tend to internalize and mirror that belief — even if the product is inert.

🧠 Takeaway: The power of ritual, parental suggestion, and positive expectation can create meaningful improvements in children's wellbeing — without any need for pharmacological action.