So, what is chiropractic?

What should we make of a discipline whose disciples are unsure of what the discipline is? Yes, I am talking of chiropractic! Surely, the inventor of chiropractic has told them what it is. True, DD Palmer left them no end of definitions; here are just 4 to chose from: Chiropractic is the science of healing […]

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Ever wondered why so many chiropractors are profoundly anti-vax?

I am currently studying DD Palmer’s TEXTBOOK OF THE SCIENCE, ART, AND PHILOSOPHY OF CHIROPRACTIC. It is a 1 000 page volume full of ignorance, repetition, allegation, pomp, overstatement and utter nonsense. I strongly advise everyone to stay well clear of it. However, skimming through this accumulation of flimflam, I was repeatedly reminded of the […]

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Does religiosity influence post-operative survival?

I have often wondered why some, mostly US authors include prayer as an so-called alternative medicine (SCAM). According to this author, for instance, prayer therapy is professional quality therapy where a Christian counselor uses prayer intervention to bring healing to people’s  lives and core beliefs so that one can live out of a healthier identity […]

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31 January 2020, a day to contemplate: WHAT HAPPENED TO BRITAIN?

Today is a momentous and desperately sad day. Allow me therefore to deviate from my usual subject and write a very personal post (I promise, it won’t happen often). This post is not about SCAM but about something that is even closer to my heart. I first moved to the UK in 1979. The reason […]

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Hard to believe: dangerous GOVERNMENTAL advice regarding SCAM for the corona virus pandemic

I have recently reported that some homeopaths recommend homeopathics against the corona virus. Since I wrote last about this subject, numerous further sites have sprung up where homeopaths try to make a fast buck on the increasing panic of large sections of the population. Here is an apt example: We all know that in homeopathy […]

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Science or Pseudoscience?

What is pseudoscience and how can it be differentiated from science? This ‘demarcation problem’ has occupied many of our best minds and which nevertheless is largely unresolved. Two brave academics have recently published a paper aimed at providing organisations within the justice system with an overview of: a) what science is and is not; b) […]

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How do proponents of so-called alternative medicine react to criticism?

Last week I was in Prague for a lecture which was great fun. On this occasion, I was interviewed by 5 different journalist. One of them asked a question that I had not often heard before: ‘how do they react to criticism?’ What he was inquiring about was the responses I get after publishing results, […]

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Do cancer patients need chiropractors?

In the Republic of Ireland, chiropractors are not regulated and there is no legislation governing the profession. That means anyone who feels like it can call him/herself a chiropractor and start treating or advising patients regardless of what condition they may be suffering from. The ‘CHIROPRACTIC ASSOCIATION OF IRELAND‘ (CAI) is the professional organisation that […]

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Netflix, Goop, and quacks in our post-truth society

To make it clear from the outset: do not watch Gwyneth Paltrow’s 6-part Netflix series. It’s not worth it! I could have guessed that too, of course. But the BBC had asked me to watch some of it and, wanting to help, I agreed and then joined a small group of scientists to discuss what […]

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Coronavirus epidemic: Why don’t they ask our homeopaths for help?

It’s not (yet) a global emergency, the WHO have announced. But 26 fatalities have today been reported, and soon we will have thousands of people infected with the new coronavirus, experts predict. A vaccine will take at least a year to become available, and experts are alarmed. But there is no need for panic! Let’s […]

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Are essential oils a con?

Consumer Advocacy is an organisation that say this about themselves: We want to make sure that you understand how we make money and who pays us. So we have taken proactive measures to ensure that any advertiser whom we have a paid relationship with is labeled as a “Partner” across our website. If you choose […]

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Homeopathics can replace antibiotics! Yes, some deluded homeopaths believe this, but that does not make it true

Ever since the government in Bavaria has been misguided enough to agree to a research programme testing whether homeopathy has a role in curtailing the over-use of anti-biotics, the subject of homeopathics as a replacement of antibiotics has been revived. In this paper, homeopaths describe four female cases with recurrent urinary tract infections. The patients […]

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‘Good clinical effects’ of herbal remedies in paediatric patients?

About 85% of German children are treated with herbal remedies. Yet, little is known about the effects of such interventions. A new study might tell us more. This analysis accessed 2063 datasets from the paediatric population in the PhytoVIS data base, screening for information on indication, gender, treatment, co-medication and tolerability. The results suggest that the […]

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We all have misunderstood good old Gwyneth Paltrow. At heart, she is a true sceptic!

Even the NEW SCIENTIST seems alarmed about Gwyneth and her activities: Psychic readings, energy healing and vampire facials are just a few of the adventures had by actor and alternative health guru Gwyneth Paltrow and her team in her forthcoming Netflix series The Goop Lab. Goop, Paltrow’s natural health company, has already become a byword […]

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The extraordinary popularity of homeopathy = an extraordinary lie

I am beginning to think that a devotion to homeopathy is conducive to telling porkies. When I read texts by homeopaths, I almost invariably discover untruths. Take this article on the popularity of homeopathy, for instance: Worldwide Worldwide, over 200 million people use homeopathy on a regular basis.1, 2 Homeopathy is included in the national health […]

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Homeopathy has greater effects than placebo – BUT ONLY IF YOU CHEAT QUITE HEAVILY

An enthusiast of homeopathy recently posted an overview of systematic reviews of homeopathy concluding that the data we do have point towards homeopathy as having an effect greater than that of placebo: In recent decades, homeopathy has been examined via a number of clinical trials, the number of which now allow meta-analysis. As we can […]

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Chiropractic spinal manipulation for a newborn

Chiropractors have a thing about treating children, babies and infants – not, I suspect, because it works but because it fills their bank accounts. To justify this abuse, they seem to go to any lengths – even to extrapolating from anecdote to evidence. This recently published case-report, for instance, described the chiropractic care of a neonate […]

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‘Homeopathic treatment … synergise the effect of antibiotics’ – Really? Or is this a case of scientific misconduct or even fraud?

A 2020 review entitled ‘Prevention, Treatment and Management of Tuberculosis through Combinational Approaches of Different Indian Systems of Medicine’ stated that recent research suggests that Homeopathic treatment along with the antibiotics synergise the effect of antibiotics while reaching to its site of action. This is a surprising finding, if there ever was one. Therefore, I […]

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Yes, conventional medicine is often deplorably bad

Proponents of SCAM like to think that anyone who is critical of SCAM must be a defender of conventional medicine or worse a pharma shill. One can point out the ridiculousness of this claim until the cows come home, it nevertheless pops up relentlessly. Personally, I am aware of (and have experienced) the many shortcomings […]

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Homeopathy: it’s time to stop the double standards

‘HOMEOPATHY360’ are fiercely decided to defend homeopathy, no matter what. They state that we promise to stand by your side always to fight against the critical attacks on Homeopathy… Therefore, I was not really surprised when, a couple of days ago, I received an email by them urging me to support US homeopaths against the […]

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