People believed that crap before Germ Theory. God Bless the French. *Salutes the French*lacktheknack said:
Poll: Homeopathy - Is it Bollocks?
- Thread starter TheIronRuler
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But... how did it come about? Didn't people just notice that taking a large slice of willow bark in their tea was more effective at curing their headache than a sliver of it?TheIronRuler said:
If homeopathy worked, it would be possible to scientifically prove why and how it works, not to mention that it would be possible to prove that it even works. Thus far, not a single study has shown promise in how homeopathy works.
Also, I've heard someone claim that it makes sense as the "body will remember the compound and be immune to it". As someone who knows quite a bit about immunology(bioscience student), the whole thing about how "the body will remember the compound and it'll heal you" isn't actually how the immune system works. You don't automatically become immune to something just by a form of exposure alone.
If anyone wants me to elaborate further on that, feel free to tell me. I just can't be bothered to do a semi-long write-up on antibodies right now.
Also, I've heard someone claim that it makes sense as the "body will remember the compound and be immune to it". As someone who knows quite a bit about immunology(bioscience student), the whole thing about how "the body will remember the compound and it'll heal you" isn't actually how the immune system works. You don't automatically become immune to something just by a form of exposure alone.
If anyone wants me to elaborate further on that, feel free to tell me. I just can't be bothered to do a semi-long write-up on antibodies right now.
It was a theory. Apparently radiated water could cure lots of things in your system, believe it or not - CERTIFIED pure!lacktheknack said:
The post you quoted already gave you possible explanations.babinro said:
One things is for sure: the homeopathic "treatment" itself did absolutely nothing for your Mother.
is it proven by medical science? no? then it,s bullcrap. It might calm you but don,t use it for life saving stuff like cancer.
Had a really funny lecture about this in the second year of my biomedical science course, where our pharmacology lecturer debunked the entire thing. I reallly liked the section about in in Ben Goldacre's book Bad Science (which is a very good read!).
Homeopathy definatly seem like a load of absolute bollocks.
The dilution of the active ingredient only serves to weaken any effect it had in the first place.
It makes no sense as the supposed beneficial effects come from the process of dilution rather than just starting out with a small amount in the first place unless it was to prevent some kind of side effect from consuming a large amount of the active ingredient but thats is still sorted out by staring offf with a small amount.
The dilution of the active ingredient only serves to weaken any effect it had in the first place.
It makes no sense as the supposed beneficial effects come from the process of dilution rather than just starting out with a small amount in the first place unless it was to prevent some kind of side effect from consuming a large amount of the active ingredient but thats is still sorted out by staring offf with a small amount.
Did your mother's treatment include any aroma therapy? Any herbal supplements?babinro said:
Those aren't homeopathic. Those are actual chemicals that have an actual effect on the body. Herbal medicine is untested and tends to be hit or miss, but there are actual chemicals in there, so they actually can work. For example, "willow bark tea" is unrefined, random dose aspirin.
If she had ONLY homeopathic "medicine" then... yeah, placebo effect is the only real possibility. Or an environmental change (she moved, got a new mattress, changed the brand of coffee she drinks, started drinking more water to avoid dehydration, etc).
... actually, there's an idea. Since homeopathic "medicine" is basically just water, that only condition it would treat is dehydration.
It always amazes me what proportion of people are willing to throw science and reasoning out the window to believe in this crap. What worse is when they argue based entirely upon annecdotal evidence and forget that repeatable results that are distinguishable from a placebo are even remotely important. As I currently look at 4.9% (just under 1 in 20) believe in this scam, please let my faith be rewarded and make that number go down
.Fuhrlock said:
The solution to our problem is to try and show them why Homeopathy is bollocks in a simple manner. It worked with my father.
Yes it is. Tiny quantities of good stuff haven't been shown to have any more effect than a similarly administered placebo. If someone showed me evidence in a double blind trial that homoeopathy is better than a placebo then as Tim said, I would change my mind. Sadly no convincing evidence of the like has come about.
