Random Common Placebo Products That Don't Actually Do Anything (12 items)

(#4) Weight Loss Wraps

You've likely seen ads for these pop up at some point while scrolling through Instagram. But save your money, because it's all in the fine print: "These claims have not been clinically proven or evaluated by the FDA." That means there haven't been any clinical trials which support the claims these products make.

To be fair, there haven't been any clinical trials that disprove their claims, either, but many experts believe that any weight loss resulting from a body wrap is temporary.
(#5) Sports Drinks

A study published in the BMJ (British Medical Journal) explored the claims many sports drink manufacturers make about the constant need to stay hydrated. They found that there is actually no need to "stay ahead of your thirst." In fact, the study concluded that overhydration can be far worse for you than dehydration. It also called out the hypocrisy of the Gatorade Sports Science Institute (GSSI), a Gatorade-owned research facility. Here's how GSSI describes itself:
"GSSI scientists study the effects of nutrition on the human body before, during and after exercise. For more than two decades, hundreds of amateur, elite and professional athletes have participated in testing with GSSI and in studies with university research partners around the world. GSSI’s headquarter lab, mobile and satellite laboratories and on the field testing enable GSSI to do leading research with the aim to provide athletes with advice and products that help their performance and achieve their goals."
But don't believe their benevolent claims. The Center for Food Safety reports, "With this sophisticated operation, Gatorade is seeking to legitimize its products as a necessary component to sports and for athletes, whether pro or amateur. It’s probably one of the most successful examples of marketing-driven science, given how prevalent Gatorade products are in sports."
So next time a sports drink advertisement tries to tell you that you need to immediately replace all the electrolytes you sweat out when you exercise, don't believe it.
(#9) Barefoot Running Shoes

In 2014, Vibram, makers of FiveFingers running shoes, paid out $3.75 million in a class action lawsuit which accused the company of deceptive marketing. Vibram marketed its FiveFingers shoes as being able to help reduce foot injuries and strengthen foot muscles. Those claims were not backed up by any proven science.

In fact, one study in the Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise journal showed that transitioning too quickly from regular running shoes to minimalist running shoes could actually cause foot injuries.
(#3) Airborne

Think Airborne helps protect you from colds by boosting your immune system? Think again. Airborne settled a class-action lawsuit for $23.3 million over their claims that their product could help prevent colds. Save your money wash your hands more often instead.
(#7) Magnet Therapy

Magnet therapy is touted as a method of pain relief, supposedly increasing blood flow through tissues. Yet according to EMF Science, "Many well-conducted studies [like this one and this one] over the past three decades have shown that static magnetic devices offer no more or no less benefit than sham devices devoid of a magnet, in essence demonstrating the placebo effect magnets have on their users."

If you suffer from chronic pain, there are legitimate options out there - but magnet therapy isn't one of them.
(#11) PC or Mac 'Cleaning'
Don't be fooled by these cleaning downloads that claim to make your computer run faster; both Mac and Windows already come with all the necessary cleaning tools. Don't click that download button - it's the opposite of smart!