The Parasympathetic State
The claims for an essential oil mixture, Vibrant Blue Parasympathetic, are devoid of science. They are a mixture of pseudoscience, misrepresentation, lies, and imagination.
More evidence that acupuncture doesn’t work for chronic pain
Acupuncture is a theatrical placebo whose real history has been retconned beyond recognition. A new systematic review of systematic reviews of acupuncture for chronic pain highlights that conclusion and catalogues the many weaknesses in the design of acupuncture clinical trials.
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.
Elderberry Elixir for the Common Cold
There is evidence from blinded, placebo-controlled studies that elderberry can modestly shorten the duration of colds and flu. Since there is no cure for the common cold, elderberry might be worth a try; but more research is needed.
How do we stop crowdfunding sites like GoFundMe from being used to fund quackery?
GoFundMe and other crowdfunding sites have long been used by desperate patients seeking to fund their use of unproven and downright quacky treatments. How can these sites be changed in order to keep them from being used as a funding supply for unethical quacks?
Ellura: A Supplement Backed By Evidence
Ellura is a dietary supplement marketed to treat recurrent urinary tract infections. There is promising evidence and a credible mechanism of action, and using it instead of antibiotic prophylaxis could reduce antibiotic resistance.
“Natural health” and the antivaccine movement: The case of Dr. Joseph Mercola
Dr. Joseph Mercola has been selling quackery for over two decades. It turns out that he also promotes antivaccine pseudoscience, as a new report from The Washington Post shows.
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.
Decision Against Spelling to Communicate – A Small Victory for Science
Spelling to Communicate is just another form a facilitated communication, an invalid technique that was disproved decades ago but refuses to die.
The Science and Pseudoscience of What We Eat
Dr. Joe Schwarcz sets the record straight about food myths and what the research actually shows.