Amy Differ from Elk Grove, California, inquires about what she heard other mothers saying in a waiting room. “I was shocked to hear that many of them take their children to chiropractors and even have newborns adjusted for supposed misalignment that happens at birth! Have you heard about this? How… read more "Chiropractic for Children?"
Acupuncture miracle
Correspondent Lorne Oliver is highly skeptical of acupuncture, but faced cognitive dissonance because he believed acupuncture saved his life. He describes the experience on his blog at http://www.filletofseoul.com/2008/10/acupuncture.html Briefly, he developed itching after eating a dried persimmon, broke out in hives, developed a rapid pulse, then shallow, rapid breathing and… read more "Acupuncture miracle"
Homeopathy
Introduction Homeopathy is a system of health care that was originated in 1796 by a single individual, Samuel Hahnemann, a German doctor who was critical of the medicine of his time. It is a discipline practiced by homeopaths, but homeopathic remedies are also sold over the counter in pharmacies for… read more "Homeopathy"
Scientific Verification of a Message from Another Continuum?
A correspondent recently wrote to tell me that the TV series “Lost” isn’t as unrealistic as we might have thought. He says the subplot about the coincidences and “meanings” of the lottery numbers reflects something that has happened in reality. He explained that “a series of numbers drawn in the… read more "Scientific Verification of a Message from Another Continuum?"
Skeptical Evaluator of Alternative Medicine Faces Loss of Funding
Edzard Ernst, MD, PhD, is a former homeopath who saw the light and became a tireless advocate for scientific evaluation of alternative medicine claims. He became the world’s first professor of complementary medicine. He wrote (with Simon Singh) the excellent book Trick or Treatment: The Undeniable Facts about Alternative Medicine. … read more "Skeptical Evaluator of Alternative Medicine Faces Loss of Funding"
A Cool Musical Example of Pareidolia
Pareidolia is the psychological phenomenon whereby a random image or sound is perceived as significant. It is the basis for seeing Jesus on a tortilla and for the EVP electronic voice phenomenon where people interpret random noise on an audio recording as voices from the spirit world. There is a… read more "A Cool Musical Example of Pareidolia"
A Skeptic in Oprah-land
Oprah Winfrey is not a skeptic. She enthusiastically promoted Rhonda Byrne’s book The Secret. She believes we create our own reality. She lets the medical misinformation and nonsensical opinions of celebrity guests like Suzanne Somers, Christiane Northrup and Jenny McCarthy go unchallenged. Her endorsements of potentially dangerous pseudoscientific health advice… read more "A Skeptic in Oprah-land"
A New Think Tank for Science in Medicine Speaks Out against Woo in Health Care Legislation
The Institute for Science in Medicine is a newly formed international policy institute that seeks to promote science as the best and only way to ensure not only safe, quality health care but cost effectiveness, as well. Its list of 42 founding members and 15 fellows reads like a Who’s… read more "A New Think Tank for Science in Medicine Speaks Out against Woo in Health Care Legislation"
Ancient Magnesium
A company called “Ancient Minerals” http://www.ancient-minerals.com/ is selling magnesium supplements that are applied to the skin rather than taken orally. They claim many benefits such as Restores cellular magnesium levels Natural cellular protectant Facilitates safe and effective detoxification Relief of aches, pains, spasms Elevates mood and relieves stress Encourages healthy… read more "Ancient Magnesium"
Trituration Proving of the Light of Saturn
Homeopathy is based on the idea that “like cures like” and the “law of infinitesimals.” If coffee keeps you awake, diluted coffee should act as a sleeping potion. The less coffee, the stronger the effect. You can even dilute away all the molecules of coffee: the water will remember it.… read more "Trituration Proving of the Light of Saturn"