Homeopathy: The Science of Delusion

[nullsession]

Do you get it? I picked that title since I am amazed that anyone can believe in homeopathic "cures" when cutting 6X dilutes the original by a factor of 10EE6 (a million). Read the csicop.org article,
http://www.csicop.org/si/9709/park.html.

Has anyone been commenting on the recent study where over 200 tests of homeopathic remedies were compared to placebos and the placebos did as well or better than homeopathy? What else would you expect when you have less than one molecule of the original toxin (like cures like!) in the final solution!

I've been trying to generate a thread on my site (http://www.nullsession.net/nullsession) on the topic of pseudoscience, since I teach science (physics and astronomy). I haven't had much luck, just one friend from Santa Fe who happens to be an astrologer. :shock: I was happy to spend over two hours last night though lecturing and discussing the topic of "the scientific method" vs. pseudoscience, hoaxes and hokum in my astronomy class. That was fun.

[EQ]

I don't understand the placebo effect. Which I suppose is what the homoeopathic remedies are basically. Is it all down to mind over symptoms?

[Abdul Alhazred]

I don't understand the placebo effect. Which I suppose is what the homoeopathic remedies are basically. Is it all down to mind over symptoms?

Self hypnosis, which is the placebo effect without the physical placebo, can be very effective for pain control.

But it won't cure any underlying serious condition.

Likewise, when Missus Battenberg has the vapours, if she feels better after taking the potion, then she really is better. :P

Bet they don't let her go homeopathic if she really gets sick.

[Baz94]

I have trouble having any faith in normal everyday medicine, let alone homeothingymabob

[faithlessgod]

I don't understand the placebo effect. Which I suppose is what the homoeopathic remedies are basically. Is it all down to mind over symptoms?

The placebo affect is just one source of (mistaken) belief in the effectiveness of homeopathy. Simply put there is a psychological (and some argue with some evidence biophysical) response to the expectation of a cure and confidence in the doctor (or homeopath in this case) providing the cure. The result is that they feel better. For many more subjective conditions feeling better is often the same as getting better. The placebo efect is itself under study in traditional medicine.

[Dappadee]

I don't understand the placebo effect. Which I suppose is what the homoeopathic remedies are basically. Is it all down to mind over symptoms?

The placebo affect is just one source of (mistaken) belief in the effectiveness of homeopathy. Simply put there is a psychological (and some argue with some evidence biophysical) response to the expectation of a cure and confidence in the doctor (or homeopath in this case) providing the cure. The result is that they feel better. For many more subjective conditions feeling better is often the same as getting better. The placebo efect is itself under study in traditional medicine.

Indeed. See here.

[EQ]

Interesting I have some through reading to do while pretending to be a diligent employee.

[faithlessgod]

The placebo efect is itself under study in traditional medicine.

Indeed. See here.

An interesting article. Dont think this study was double-blinded (but this may be poor reporting) or used a control (in this case providing analgesics?). Always important to critically evaluate even those studies that support one's views. (Plus the sample size of 14 is small). But it is a good start and worthy of further investigation.

I am confident that when follow up randomised control stufies are done on this affect it will likely be confirmed as they claim in this article, but then this just reflects my bias...

[faithlessgod]

Has anyone been commenting on the recent study where over 200 tests of homeopathic remedies were compared to placebos and the placebos did as well or better than homeopathy?

I think you mean the Lancet study which was a meta analysis of 110 large and "good" trials?

Great quote from this:

"Of greater interest is the fact that this debate continues, despite 150 years of unfavourable findings. The more dilute the evidence for homeopathy becomes, the greater seems its popularity."

[nullsession]

Yes. It was a test of 110 different homeopathic trials, and 110 traditional medicine trials, according to the article below. Therefore, over 200 tests is a correct statement. Thanks for clarifying what I meant.

http://www.healthcentral.com/PrinterFri ... 27628.html