All posts by Jann Bellamy

Jann J. Bellamy is a Florida attorney and lives in Tallahassee. She is one of the founders and Board members of the Society for Science-Based Medicine (SfSBM) dedicated to providing accurate information about CAM and advocating for state and federal laws that incorporate a science-based standard for all health care practitioners. She tracks state and federal bills that would allow pseudoscience in health care for the SfSBM website.  Her posts are archived here.    

AARP report: Insufficient evidence that dietary supplements benefit brain health

Experts convened by the AARP say don't waste your money on dietary supplements claiming they improve brain health. A healthy diet and lifestyle are the best medicine for your brain.

/ January 2, 2020

FDA warns public about exosome treatments

The FDA and Nebraska health authorities issued warnings after patients became seriously ill following treatment with exosomes, an unproven, potentially risky and, per the FDA, illegal product being promoted by dubious stem cell clinics.

/ December 19, 2019

Anti-vaxxers try to kill Florida bill ending childhood vaccination religious exemption

Anti-vaxxers and their misinformation campaign may have killed Senate Bill 64, repealing Florida's religious exemption to childhood immunizations, which is being abused by parents. Sen. Laura Book, the bill's sponsor, remains undeterred, citing the high risk of disease outbreaks in Florida.

/ December 5, 2019

Ayurvedic practitioners push for licensing in Colorado

Ayurvedic practitioners' attempt to become licensed health care professionals in Colorado failed an initial review but that is unlikely to stop them from pursuing their goal. Ayurveda is pseudoscience and its practices can be dangerous. Unfortunately, that is no barrier to state licensing.

/ November 21, 2019

FDA strengthens homeopathic drug enforcement (but falls short of actually enforcing the law)

The FDA may strengthen homeopathic drug regulation with its "risk-based" enforcement policy, but this still leaves illegal homeopathic remedies on the market and falls far short of actually enforcing the law.

/ November 7, 2019

“Eliminating cancer” with Traditional Chinese Medicine and other state-sanctioned quackery

State-approved continuing education courses pump a steady stream of fresh pseudoscience into acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine practice. Courses include claims of "eliminating cancer" and "reversing pediatric asthma" as well as anti-vaccination tropes.

/ October 24, 2019

The Scientific Integrity Act: Protecting science from politics

The proposed federal Scientific Integrity Act supports science and the scientific process as the basis of public policy and aims to protect it from politics, ideology, and financial conflicts of interest.

/ October 10, 2019

FDA proposes ban on curcumin and other naturopathic favorites in compounded drugs

Based on a thorough review of the evidence by experts, the FDA is proposing a ban on using curcumin, cesium chloride and other naturopathic favorites in compounded drugs.

/ September 26, 2019

New Florida law forces physicians to endorse pseudoscience

A new Florida law forces physicians to endorse chiropractic, acupuncture, and massage as non-opioid alternatives for pain, even if the physician disagrees with that advice.

/ September 12, 2019

Improving mental health is a walk in the park (but mind the volcanoes)

Using Twitter and geotagging, researchers add to the growing body of evidence demonstrating an association between contact with nature and improved mood.

/ August 29, 2019