I have a horrible confession to make: I have been to a chiropractor twice in the last week. Feel free to throw things at me right now for being a bad skeptic. I know, I know, there is no medical evidence that chiropractic works, it’s all based on woo, why am I throwing away my money??? But I’m about to do something super risky for a skeptic blog: I am going to defend going to an alternative medici... »
So, it’s a big day here in the UK. Okay, it’s no bigger or smaller than any other day, but there are some local elections going on, and I found myself falling victim to my own lack of research. I know, I know, I’m a hypocrite, but hear me out. For most people who read my posts I think it’s pretty clear that I have liberal tendencies, so when it came time to cast my ballot, ... »
Dear Sasquatch: My aunt and cousin swear by regular ear candling to remove toxins. I have a sinus infection, and my cousin tells me the ear candling clears the sinuses as well. Is this true? Is there any benefit to this? –Vin L. Dear Vin: Ear candling has no effect whatsoever–if you are lucky. The practice can cause burns, candle wax going into the ears (sometimes requiring surgery to ... »
Dear Sasquatch, My roommate is really into organic food, and I told him I didn’t think it was worth the money, so we pretty much agreed to buy and eat our own food. But he did show me an article about animal antibiotics creating superbugs that infect humans: How Using Antibiotics In Animal Feed Creates Superbugs. It kind of freaked me out. Is organic meat actually better for you? —Lara S. Dear Lar... »
In 1917, the Spanish flu killed off huge swathes of the population–more than the first world war had. It was terrifying, and everyone wanted a solution, right now. And Joseph Roy thought he had it. When looking at the blood of flu patients, he noticed what appeared to be a wiggly–oscillating–bacteria, which he called oscillococcus. He claimed to have found the same wiggly stuff i... »
Dear Sasquatch, Have you seen this meme going around Facebook about “Decoding Your Breakouts”? Is there any truth to any of this? —Brittany F. »
Instead of the usual Dear Sasquatch post, I’m writing this week about an important campaign that is particularly relevant to the readers of this blog. It’s about an “alternative” cancer doctor who has made millions off people with cancer and their families by charging them exorbitant fees for fraudulent, harmful treatments. (I use quotation marks around “alternative&... »
This may run into more than one post, but I want to talk to you about a practice that claims to be able to change the very reality we live in, cure all diseases, and to be the ‘practical application of quantum mechanics’. This phenomenon, known as Theta Healing, is the product of Vianna Stibal, a woman who has made a living out of the suffering of others in a scheme that wants money to... »
