Death by Aromatherapy
An aromatherapy room spray was contaminated with bacteria that caused melioidosis, resulting in deaths and serious sequelae. Buyers were misled.
Socks to Treat High Blood Pressure?
Socks that lower blood pressure? The claims for Boliav socks are too incoherent to make sense of. I can't take them seriously.
Deciding Which Risks to Take
No medical treatment is risk-free. Paul Offit's new book covers the history of innovations that went awry and advises how to balance the risks of new medical innovations with the risk of not treating.
This Scary Mask Is Not for Halloween: It’s for Anti-Aging Skin Care
Evidence is lacking for CurrentBody's "anti-aging" LED mask.
Innovo for Bladder Leakage
An expensive pair of shorts promises to cure bladder leaks by using electrical stimulation to produce pelvic floor contractions, essentially doing the Kegel exercises for you. The science is insufficient and the marketing is misleading.
The Word “Organic” Has Been Hijacked
The word "organic" has a precise definition in chemistry. It has been hijacked to refer to organic farming. Good communication requires that both parties use the same definition.
Menopause Isn’t Taboo
Menopause is not a taboo subject, and the Care Package is a mixture of quack remedies, questionable products, and placebos. This is silliness, not science.
Does Acupuncture Increase Red and White Blood Cells and T-Cells?
An article by a medical acupuncturist claims that acupuncture increases red and white blood cells and T-cells. The evidence is far from convincing.
Culture-Bound Psychosomatic Syndromes
In her book Sleeping Beauties, neurologist Suzanne O'Sullivan travels the world to investigate fascinating stories of mass psychogenic illness where social and cultural factors result in symptoms that give voiceless people a way to be heard.