Skeptics Stack Exchange
Skeptics Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [alternative-medicine]

Use this tag for claims regarding cures and health practices which fall outside the boundaries of scientifically validated medicine.

Any healing practice, method, compound or procedure which falls outside the bounds of scientifically validated medicine either because it has not demonstrated significant, safe, repeatable results consistently under proper observing conditions, or has not yet had the opportunity to undergo such testing. Can also relate to the study, evaluation, and interpretation of data collected on such processes. Related term: Complementary Medicine.

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Is practical psychophysics based on science?

My girlfriend visited a place in Latvia associated with the Institute of Practical Psychophysics. A number of aspects have made me skeptical, including recommendations for products from health food stores and for items not available in the UK. Their…
Alexander Troup
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Is meditation a better analgesic than morphine?

According to many news sources, meditation is more effecting than morphine in reducing pain. According to a study in Wednesday's issue of Journal of Neuroscience, meditation can reduce pain by 40 to 57 percent. That's a better figure than what's…
Sklivvz
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Is prescription fish oil better than over-the-counter fish oil?

The possible health benefits of fish oil (primarily from its omega-3 content) have made it a popular supplement. There are a lot of over-the-counter fish oil supplements (google fish oil) on the market and one (that I know of) that is only available…
Rusty
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Does drinking the urine of camels have medical benefits?

According to an Islam Q&A site, the prophet Mohammad prescribed camel's milk and urine to cure illness. It goes on to claim there are benefits from drinking camel's urine including: Camel’s urine is efficacious in the treatment of skin diseases…
TROLLHUNTER
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Do magnetic insoles or bracelets increase muscular strength and flexibility?

I remember a while back when I was younger (late 90's) when one of my friend's mom was pushing some Nikken magnetic insoles where she claimed that the effects of the magnets would increase muscular strength along with an increase in flexibility…
Chad Harrison
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Do manufacturers of homeopathy products add any of the allegedly active ingredients?

Homoeopathy is the idea that a "a substance that causes the symptoms of a disease in healthy people will cure that disease in sick people". Furthermore, the potency of the 'treatment' is alleged to generally increase the more the active ingredient…
Bogdanovist
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Is there any scientific evidence to support the theory behind Gerson Therapy?

Gerson therapy is a hypothesis that diseases can be caused by various toxins and attempts to heal a subject by a strict all natural diet in addition to attempting to clean the body with things such as coffee, castor oil or ozone. Quoting from the…
user6327
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Is this study evidence that a fly falling into one's drink should be dipped?

About 9 years ago, a user inquired about a medical claim from an islamic text, a claim that a fly falling into your drink should be dipped in then thrown away (the claimed explanation being that dipping cancels out the harmful effects of the fly,…
RTG
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Healing Tooth Decay via Electrically Accelerated and Enhanced Remineralisation?

According to The Guardian scientists from the UK have developed a tool to repair cavities without filling or injections. The new treatment, called Electrically Accelerated and Enhanced Remineralisation (EAER), accelerates the natural movement of…
Donlad Lee
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Can vinegar and essential oils repel ticks?

I just saw this facebook post claiming that vinegar and essential oils can repel ticks. In a spray bottle, mix 2 cups of distilled white vinegar and 1 cup of water. To make a scented solution so you do not smell like bitter vinegar all day, add 20…
Rob Watts
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Was Jaco van der Westhuyzen's knee faith-healed by TB Joshua?

Reading in the South Africa newspapers about the awful church building collapse of the popular prophet T. B. Joshua in Nigeria lead me to the claims of Jaco van der Westhuyzen regarding T. B. Joshua's miraculous healing powers: From an early age I…
Drew
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Is Bach's flower remedy 'rescue' effective?

I hear that it actually helps people to fall asleep and feel less stress. My question is specifically for the sleep 'rescue' remedy which has the following ingredients according to their site: White Chestnut: To help ease restless mind. Star of…
GinKin
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Does ultrasound reduce joint inflammation?

I read a 2011 paper, Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound reduces the inflammatory activity of synovitis. that mention that ultrasound can help reduce inflammation. However, Save Yourself article states: Unfortunately — although there are some…
Jack
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Is "Oil Pulling" an effective treatment for arthritis or other chronic diseases?

Oil Pulling is apparently an ancient practice, but is seeing a recent surge in popularity. It is claimed it can cure almost anything, from bad breath to AIDS. The process apparently involves swishing oil around in your mouth for 10-20 minutes, to…
Flimzy
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Do chiropractors cure bed wetting?

As many parents know, bed-wetting in young children is a frustrating problem. In a nearby town, at least two of the three chiropractors claim they can resolve bed-wetting issues. Are there any merit to these claims?
poke
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