Homeopathy, no better than placebo?

[Loosehead]

With the latest testing:

http://www.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30000-13421279,00.html

and last year's BBC2 Horizon "Double Blind" Randi $1m Challenge:

 http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/horizon/2002/homeopathyqa.shtml

Will the peddlers of this mumbo jumbo now come clean?

[january_bug]

I agree that a lot of the stuff is a load of mumbo jumbo BUT, I also honestly think that a lot of medical cures are psychosomatic and so if people believe that it's helping them, and want to spend their money on it, and the thought that it's helping ACTUALLY helps, then let them carry on I say!  (wow - long sentence, sorry!)

It might sound stupid, but although the "remedies" might not physically help, if the mental and emotional boost is given, then that's something people are prepared to pay for these days - so it's sort of possible to justify these products continuing to be on offer. 

Hope that makes sense.  Of course these people won't admit to it though - and lots of people will be brought forward to give testimonies to contradict the reports you've linked to.  If I was selling water and people believed it was wine, I'd keep schtum!! :-)

[Loosehead]

Absolutely January, I think the sorts of people that use this sort of thing actually want it to work so it's no surprise to them when some sort of improvement is shown, the placebo effect is very powerful but it's just that placebo.

[ludwig]

If you're ill and you go and get treatment and afterwards you're better, who gives a f*** what it's called or why it happened? If had a tumour and I was treated and afterwards I didn't have it, would I care if someone said 'well it was just the placebo effect so it doesn't count'. No I wouldn't. I'd just be thinking 'Good. I don't have a tumour any more'.

[january_bug]

Is that not EXACTLY what I said, but I did it without swearing?

[Loosehead]

Well done Ludwig, that's the whole point. You're better but not by some alternative quackery.

[january_bug]

Ok, so not what I said.  Funny, I thought you'd read and understood and agreed with my post Loosehead. 

[MargeB]

It can't be mumbo jumbo, there's a royal homeopathic hospital and thousands of practitioners up and down the country. Surely they can't be wrong....can they? (gulp)

What about the 'memory of water'? What was that about? (I know it doesn' t mean it heals people).

[shaneystar]

I suffer from severe osteoarthritis and don't think homeopathy is lot of mumbo jumbo.Drugs that my doctor prescribed to me are now the subject of court cases.Google Vioxx.
I have gained great relief from my condition with homepathic remedies.They are not a cure but I believe they can help.
Acupuncture has certainly helped me and it's not in the mind.Just because I have spent my money on it doesn't make me think it will help ,it does.
If you are in a great deal of pain most of the time ,you will turn to alternative solutions.Homeopathic remedies have helped me and it's not all in the mind.If it alleviates my pain then I will give it a go.

[Loosehead]

Sorry January, I did, I agreed I was backing you up I don't understand????!!! confused, my last post was backing up your statement to ludwig. I dont see the source of your iritation. Explain please I'm horrified.

[mullein2]

i dont use homeopathy as i am into herbalism..but my dog was ill for months..one of his eyes went up in the socket and it was awfull we spent over �350.00 at the vets he was tested for everything over several visits nothing they gave him worked ..so i bought some euphrasia homeopathic tissue salts..i gave him some every two hours within 5 days he was cured back to normal..that cost me less than �4 ..the vet just kept mumbling about allergys and hayfever etc  and the dog had a red mess for an eye..for months..sometimes these things work on one and not another..my husband has been using homeopathy for the last two summers and hasnt had hayfever for the first time in 48 years..so if it cures him why not...

[simsfreq]

Someone I know did healing on our guinea-pig, who had a tumour. It went away. How can this be a placebo if it works on animals too?

[morg_monster]

i think the problem is that the way that we test conventional medicines (ie double blind placebo controlled randomised trial) isn't very useful for measuring alternative therapies.  THere is so much anecdotal evidence, there must be something to them - but someone will have to invent a new way of testing them.  Although the convential RCT did work for St. John's wort and now that is widely prescribed.

The problem is that we want to make sure people don't spend their money under false pretences, and good solid evidence is needed. unfortunately there isn't a whole lot of money in alternative therapies until there's solid evidence, and there won't be any solid evidence until there's money for innovative research.  Doh!

I think they should do some studies to make sure that they are all safe, and for interactions with conventional medications which people might be taking.  Then just leave them on sale, so that people can try them if they like.

If I ever win the lottery maybe I'll do the research myself.