Book Review of Homeopathy: How It Really Works, by Jay Shelton, published by Prometheus in 2003 This will not be the last book written about homeopathy, but perhaps it ought to be. It says everything that needs to be said unless homeopaths can succeed in supporting their claims with better evidence than… read more "Homeopathy: How It Really Works"
Masaru Emoto’s Wonderful World of Water
It can read, listen to music, look at pictures, hear your thoughts, heal you, and create world peace. — The folks in my community have been arguing about fluoride again. A nutritionist wrote in the local newspaper that fluoride is a deadly poison, and it doesn’t reduce tooth decay. She… read more "Masaru Emoto’s Wonderful World of Water"
A Skeptical View of SPECT Scans and Dr. Daniel Amen
Daniel G. Amen, M.D., runs the Amen Clinics, writes books, gives lectures, maintains a Web site, and makes other media appearances. He recommends single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to help diagnose and manage cases of brain trauma, underachievement, school failure, depression, obsessive compulsive disorders, anxiety, aggressiveness, cognitive decline, and brain… read more "A Skeptical View of SPECT Scans and Dr. Daniel Amen"
Dr. Daniel Amen’s Response to Criticism on Quackwatch
Daniel G. Amen, M.D., runs the Amen Clinics, writes books, gives lectures, maintains a Web site, and makes other media appearances. He recommends single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to help diagnose and manage cases of brain trauma, underachievement, school failure, depression, obsessive compulsive disorders, anxiety, aggressiveness, cognitive decline, and brain… read more "Dr. Daniel Amen’s Response to Criticism on Quackwatch"
Clearing the Air: What Does Science Really Say About Secondhand Smoke?
Secondhand smoke is a bit like abortion and global warming: it invokes such strong emotions that it is difficult to view the evidence objectively. In his analysis of the subject (see preceding article) Sidney Zion is right about one thing: anti-smoking activists have overstated the evidence against secondhand smoke. He,… read more "Clearing the Air: What Does Science Really Say About Secondhand Smoke?"
Double Blind or Double Talk? Reading Medical Research with a Skeptical Eye
Once upon a time, not so long ago, a new drug was tested carefully by its manufacturer, demonstrated to be safe, and approved by the FDA. After it went on the market, people started reporting a lot of side effects. An independent researcher thought the drug manufacturer’s studies might have… read more "Double Blind or Double Talk? Reading Medical Research with a Skeptical Eye"
Curing the Common Cold
We can eradicate smallpox, decipher the genome, and put a man on the Moon, but we can’t cure the common cold. Well, maybe I can. I have a cartoon plaque, painted many years ago by my brother in a fit of creative zaniness, entitled “Milestones in Medicine: Dr. Harriet Hall… read more "Curing the Common Cold"
Bioidentical Hormones: Estrogen is Good. No, It’s Bad. No, It’s Good
MENOPAUSAL WOMEN USED TO HAVE NO ESCAPE from the sufferings of the dreaded “Change.” In the mid-20th century, they were offered a reprieve. They could take a pill to replace their missing hormones, and feel back to normal. That was good in itself, but then they found that replacing estrogens… read more "Bioidentical Hormones: Estrogen is Good. No, It’s Bad. No, It’s Good"
Don’t Let Them Hoodia-Wink You
I first heard of Hoodia last summer, when a radio ad told me it was the new miracle weight loss pill. Since then, I’ve been seeing ads for Hoodia everywhere. Anna Nicole Smith took it. It was featured on Oprah. Lesley Stahl went to Africa to taste the plant on… read more "Don’t Let Them Hoodia-Wink You"
Critical Chiropractor, Inept Publisher
Book review of: The P.R.E.S.T.O.N. Protocol for Back Pain: The Seven Evidence-Based Practices for Living Pain Free, by Preston H. Long. PublishAmerica: Baltimore, 2006. 84 pp. ISBN 1- 4241-0684-2. Paperback, $14.95. I really, really wanted to recommend The P.R.E.S.T.O.N. Protocol for Back Pain, but I cannot. It is full… read more "Critical Chiropractor, Inept Publisher"