Some stories are just too good to be true and this is one. Alas Dr Bob had to disappoint the Dark Peaker who sent him it. It seems it is an urban myth that started as an email in 2000 and was picked up by lazy/ unscrupulous journalists (About.com Urban Legends).
On the other hand there are stories that may be true but we might wish were not. Don’t you hate those runners who listen to music during races? A study which does appear to exist, or at least appears as a press release on Brunel University’s web site, claims that listening to music can increase endurance by 15%. Personally I’d rather run 15% slower.