We've sent several volunteers, all regular coffee drinkers, a sample of some nicely roasted

espresso beans.

There is a special blend of rocket coffee with a note and a small package of beans.

Our volunteers are replacing their regular morning coffee, with a brand that purports to

have higher caffeine levels.

What do you have here?

Rocket coffee special blend.

Well, that sounds promising.

Some of this special blend rocket coffee, put it all.

But since caffeine usually takes a little while to kick in, we'll check back with our

volunteers in a bit.

In the meantime, we'll be talking about a quirk of human perception that may change the way

you think about everything from coffee to housework to knee surgery.

I'm Dr. Katie Milkman, and this is Choiceology, an original podcast from Charles Schwab.

It's a show about the psychology and economics behind our decisions.

We bring you true stories involving high stakes moments, and then we explore the latest

research in behavioral science to help you make better judgments and avoid costly mistakes.

My name is Eric Vance, I'm a journalist and an editor with the New York Times, with

the Well Desk, and I'm also the author of Suggestible You.

Eric is a biologist and science writer, who grew up in a family that believed in faith

healing.

In fact, Eric didn't see a medical doctor for the first time until he was 18.

...