In my first tribe, I was rushing for some tech and I continuously used that potion on my scientists (it lasts for some minutes). Its effect was appearent, tech points went up quite fast, and my scientists worked with just a few 'no,no's. But I don't exactly know how it effects; my assumption is that the potion boosts their skill level for some time. I was to experiment it with less people in the lab, but then I forgot.