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In a four-week study, Smith and his team asked one group of 18 male students to perform a series of hand and finger exercises. Another group simply imagined performing the same movements for the same amount of time.

Hard work did pay off for those who actually exercised. Researchers say their hands were 30 percent fitter.

However, the pretend exercisers improved 16 percent — not to bad for the effort they invested. Certainly, it seems like it's a lot better than doing nothing.

Just imagine what future psychological research might hold. Could thinking about a beer give you a buzz?

Buck Wolf is entertainment producer at ABCNEWS.com. The Wolf Files is published Tuesdays. If you want to receive weekly notice when a new column is published, join the e-mail list.