as alwayys, there are a range of reasons for why people voted. some voted because they knew there might be economic consequences but leaving europe was better, others voted because they liked the idea of independence without thinking much about the consequences or thinking it would not happen to them, or it was already shit for them or it would be better for them.
sure it was the same for remainers. some voted after researching. some just voted based on what someone else said without researching.
there is always spin at election time. no party /side is free of it
no-one knows how the other option would have turned out.