this post was submitted on 16 Jun 2024
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[–] kersploosh@sh.itjust.works 53 points 5 months ago (4 children)

Homeopathics, though sometimes even a placebo can have beneficial effects.

[–] otter@lemmy.ca 12 points 5 months ago

Definitely this one, the products are sometimes placed right next to legitimate ones and worse:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/marketplace-homeopathic-products-1.6254025

Hidden camera reveals some pharmacists recommend homeopathic products to treat kids' cold and flu

[–] ForgotAboutDre@lemmy.world 2 points 5 months ago

This is a common misconception of the placebo effect. The placebo effect is a measurement issue, not an actual benefit.

Tests are corrupted by using the reposnes and judgement of humans. People will say they had some sort of benefit because of expectations, poor recollection and politeness. It doesn’t mean a benefit was gained. A placebo group allows researchers to quantify how much the placebo effect has on the data they gathered, they can then see if the experiment they did had any effect. Placebo is literally our definition of zero effect.

Anyone telling you placebo is a good thing is wrong, misinformed or deliberately misleading you. In many countries it is illegal for doctors to prescribe ‘placebo treatments’. They will still recommend such things to their patients - not because they work but because they get the patient out the door and less likely to come bother them again.

[–] RobotToaster@mander.xyz 2 points 5 months ago (1 children)

Not really "modern day" snake oil when it was invented in the 1700's lol.

[–] Skyhighatrist@lemmy.ca 1 points 5 months ago

As long as it continues to be sold on store shelves, it's modern enough to count.