DOCSLIB.ORG

+Alchemy, Homeopathy Perception &Cowboys Communicating Science

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
+Alchemy, Homeopathy Perception &Cowboys Communicating Science SKEPTICISM . SCIENCE . SOCIETY Vol 39, No 1. March 2019 Brain Burst! Communicating Science +Alchemy, Homeopathy Perception & Cowboys Australian Skeptics . www.skeptics.com.au Skeptic_Cover_Mar19.indd 1 4/03/2019 10:18 am The Skeptic March 19 Skeptical Groups in Australia NSW VIC Australian Skeptics Inc – Eran Segev Aust Skeptics (Victorian Branch) Inc – Chris Guest www.skeptics.com.au PO Box 5166, Melbourne VIC 3001 PO Box 20, Beecroft, NSW 2119 Tel: 0403 837 339 [email protected] Tel: 02 8094 1894; Mob: 0432 713 195; Fax: (02) 8088 4735 [email protected] Skeptics’ Café – Third Monday of every month, with guest speaker. Meal from 6pm, speaker at 8pm sharp. More details on Sydney Skeptics in the Pub – 6pm first Thursday of each our web site www.skeptics.com.au/vic month at the Occidental Hotel, York Street in the city, near Wynyard Park (meeting second floor) Dinner meetings are held on a regular basis. Ballarat Skeptics in the Pub http://facebook.com/groups/3978112230309544 Hunter Skeptics – John Turner Tel: (02) 4959 6286 [email protected] Gippsland Skeptics in the Pub Interested parties contact Mark Guerin or Martin Christian Power Occasional social meetings at the Cricketers Arms Hotel, Cooks via the Gippsland Skeptics page: https://www.facebook.com/gr Hill. Those on the contact list will be sent details in advance. oups/291929110900396/?ref=bookmarks Currently meeting at 12.30 on third Sunday of each odd-numbered month. Melbourne Eastern Hills Skeptics in the Pub Contact: Andrew Rawlings [email protected] Blue Mountains Skeptics Tel: 0438 043 050 See Facebook for details. hyyp://groupspaces.com/meh-sitp https://www.facebook.com/pages/Melbourne-Eastern-Hills Coffs Coast Skeptics & Freethinkers Skeptics-in-the-Pub/19241290737690 See Facebook for details. Meets second Monday of each month at The Knox Club, Wantirna South. ACT Canberra Skeptics – Lauren Kelly Melbourne Skeptics in the Pub PO Box 555, Civic Square ACT 2608 See Facebook for details. www.canberraskeptics.org.au Tel: 0410 382 306 Meets on the fourth Monday of every month from 6 pm at the [email protected] (general inquiries), Mt View Hotel in Richmond. [email protected] (Canberra Skeptics in the Pub). A free monthly talk, open to the public - check website for details Mordi Skeptics in the Pub Skeptics in the Pub gather at 1pm on the third Sunday of each http://www.meetup.com/Mordi-Skeptics-in-the-Pub/ month at King O’Malleys Pub in Civic. For up-to-date details: Meets at 7.30pm on the first Tuesday of each month at the www.meetup.com/ SocialSkepticsCanberra/ Mordialloc Sporting Club. ($4 to cover website costs) For details on Skeptical groups in other states and territories, see inside back cover Volume 39 • No 1 March 18 Contents REPORTS 12 Plus ca Change 12 Ken McLeod Heads in the Clouds 14 Ken McLeod and Mandy-Lee Noble 14 FEATURES 22 People Power 16 Tim Mendham School for Thought 22 Richrd Saunders/Brad Hoge Just the Facts 26 16 26 Maynard/Jane Hansen 39 ARTICLES 34 The Undiluted Truth 28 Annika Merkelbach/Natalie Grams The Sceptical Chymist 34 Tim Harding 28 Curses Foiled Again! 39 Brian Dunning Perception Deception 42 Tony Wheeler Cowboy v Creationism 46 JW ‘Slim’ Lairraby 46 42 REGULARS Editorial 4 Around the Traps 5 Puzzles Page 9 50 Them! 10 Logical place 45 What goes around 48 Book reviews 50 Forum 56 Letters 60 Quotable Quotes 62 48 EDITORIAL Sharing the news key aspect of the scientific in order to enthuse them and do a method is the open sharing lot of the hard boring work, to those A of information and the results of spreading the often difficult truth research so that others can review via the media, and those who help your work and heap praise upon you teachers work out the best way of … or expose your weaknesses and teaching what are possibly difficult or ISSN 0726-9897 explain where you went astray. Publish controversial scientific topics. Quarterly Journal of or perish is the maxim of choice. We also look at some who go back Australian Skeptics Inc Commercial interests may interfere to the fundamentals and explain (ABN 90 613 095 379) with that process, often to the chagrin how science works - not what the Editor of ‘pure’ scientists. But by and large results are, but how to do it and Tim Mendham communicating science is a vital part assess it. This is the starting point of of the procedure. science, and should be intrinsic to all Editorial Board Those who understand the value discussion of the results. Steve Roberts of a research grant or the support of Too many times the style of Eran Segev a generous benefactor will know that teaching or communicating has been Martin Hadley it is also of value to communicate what’s called “mug and jug”, with Design Services science to the broader community, the teacher/communicator being the Nova Consulting P/L and that includes ignorant politicians jug, and filling up the student/public and enthusiastic public. Making – the mug, in more ways than one – All correspondence to: sure that your activity is clearly with the information the jug decides Australian Skeptics Inc understood does away with a lot of they need. PO Box 20 misconceptions and fears (I’m looking This technique reminds me of Beecroft NSW 2119 at you, anti-vaxxers), and can add a famous TV broadcast by Prime Australia great support that can be played off Minister Robert Menzies (I’m talking Contact details against recalcitrant forces that want to 1950s to 60s). Menzies’ wit and Tel: +61 (0)2 8094 1894 minimise your work, if not have you ability to put down a heckler with Mob: +61 (0)432 713 195 go away entirely. one fell swoop were legendary. But Fax: +61 (0)2 8088 4735 Scientific method can be explained he wasn’t so interested in explaining fairly easily and clearly – I have an things to the people. On one occasion [email protected] idea: I do some work to see if the idea on TV he spoke about the economy – www.skeptics.com.au is correct; I double check and try to a rare thing in those days - and kindly trip myself up; I write up what I’ve told the audience that occasionally he The Skeptic is published four times done and show it to others; if they’re would come on and tell them what per year by Australian Skeptics Inc. not close friends they’ll check it for they needed to know. And wouldn’t Views and opinions expressed in articles errors (or cheating). If they point out they be grateful for it. and letters in The Skeptic are those of mistakes, then I go back and do it That wouldn’t cut it today. the authors, and are not necessarily again or try something else, or move Politicians need to explain their those of Australian Skeptics Inc. to America and claim to be a martyr policies to the public over and over, Articles may be reprinted with for the cause. If they heap praise upon ad infinitum. permission and with due acknowledge- it, then I win the Nobel Prize in 30 The same applies to scientists. ment to The Skeptic. years and I can write anything I like If they don’t communicate broadly All effort is made to ensure correct without ever being criticised again (to and clearly about what they do, they acknowledgement of all contributions. my face). might still win a Nobel Prize, but the We are happy to update credit when so In this issue of The Skeptic we public will never really understand informed. look at communicating science from what they’ve done and will never various perspectives. respect, rely, or support them. Editorial submission deadline We look at the work of some who for the next issue: use different means of doing this, from - Tim Mendham, editor May 1, 2019 those getting the citizenry involved 4 NEWS The Skeptic March 19 Around the traps ... TGA’s minor changes to indications ignore nonsense AUS: The Therapeutic Goods similarly unsupported and in some “determined to be not suitable for Administration has flagged a number cases nonsensical claims. listed medicines following further of changes to its list of “permissible In a statement issued on February review by TCM expert”, and two indications” for therapeutic goods, 15, the TGA says that “Since that have been removed because they deleting seven alt med claims while the implementation of the 2018 are duplicates of other indications ignoring many more that are blatantly Determination included in the list. unsupported and pseudoscientific. in March 2018, In other words, “Permissible indications” are stakeholders have out of 71 Ayurvedic statements that will describe the brought to our and 135 TCM therapeutic uses for medicines listed attention issues indications, five with the TGA. Manufacturers and that sponsors have been deleted distributors are required to use them have encountered because they to enter their product indications in when selecting are scientifically the Australian Register of Therapeutic indications unsupported, Goods. The indications list came into for their listed and two equally effect in March 2018. medicines. We unscientific are When the list was announced in draft also engaged removed simply and later final versions in 2017, it was a [unnamed] traditional Chinese because they appeared elsewhere, while roundly criticised as including many medicine expert to undertake a further the many unsupported indications pseudoscientific claims. review [of] the TCM indications such as “disinhibit water” remain. For instance, indications for included in the Determination to The TGA and the Australian traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) confirm that they are appropriate for government received a dishonourable include “harmonise middle burner listed medicines.” mention in the 2018 Australian (spleen and stomach)”, “unblock/open/ The changes include deleting Skeptics’ Bent Spoon award “for relax meridians”, “soothe/descend three Ayurvedic indications which enshrining pseudomedical indications the flow of stomach Qi”, “replenish are “not appropriate to be supported in legislation”.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • LTL Compilation
    30 days to your Low Tox Life - Class of March 2015 End of Course PDF compilation 30 days to your Low Tox Life - Class of March 2015 End of Course PDF compilation Day 1: Before we can fly, it’s important to get grounded Day 2: A “fake smells” stocktake, perfumes and a close look at candles Day 3: Endocrine disrupting chemicals – the rest of them! Day 4: A Low Tox Mind with a meditation led by Katie Kendall Day 5: Low Tox Home Cleaning – Kitchen, bathroom and multipurpose Day 6: Low Tox Laundry Day 7: Low Tox Face – Cosmetics, skincare & men’s face & shaving Day 8: BODY: Scrubs, lotions, sun care and self-tanning Day 9: The Antibacterial Myth – Are we ‘too clean’? Day 10: Personal Hygiene – Pits, time of the month, sexy time Day 11: A Low Tox Mind and meditation with Grant Lyndon Day 12: Detoxing from chemicals Day 13: Low Tox Make UP Day 14: Low Tox Kids Day 15: Low Tox Hair & Nails Day 16: Plastic Free Living – Going LOW plastic in a high plastic world Day 17: Teeth, fluoride and water filtration 30 days to your Low Tox Life - Class of March 2015 End of Course PDF compilation Day 18: Low Tox Mind Series – with Tom Cronin Day 19: Cookware & Bakeware Day 20: Food Storage Day 21: Wastage – food AND packaging Day 22: Low Tox Conversations – The challenge of toxic interactions on your way to the low tox life Day 23: Low Tox Bedroom Day 24: Low Tox Clothes Day 25: A very delicious kind of meditation Day 26: A low tox home – Heavy Metals Day 27: A low tox home – Dust and Mould Day 28: A low tox home – pest repellants – personal, home & garden Day 29: Electromagnetics & WiFi Day 30: Low Tox Wrap – Resources, course book & further reading recommendations 30 days to your Low Tox Life - Class of March 2015 End of Course PDF compilation Day 1: Before we can fly, it’s important to get grounded Welcome! Alexx chats to Martin Zucker – Video Transcript So what is a low tox life? Low tox living means, living more in-line with nature in our daily choices, making time for ourselves to relax, and keeping a low tox mind in terms of more positive thoughts, with less negative ones.
    [Show full text]
  • The Enf Ield 'Poltergeist' This Morning's Revisit of the Classic Case Provokes Further Thoughts
    The Enf ield 'Poltergeist' This Morning's revisit of the classic case provokes further thoughts AT THE BEGINNING OF FEBRUARY, I appeared on This Morning to talk highly resistant to disbelieving witnesses. Playfair himself wrote that"... about the Enfield 'poltergeist' with Guy Lyon Playfair (writer of This paranormal events only took place in the presence of people who House is Haunted) and Janet Winter. The producers were very pleased believed them to be possible"3 In fact, it's hard to avoid wondering that they had an appearance by the woman who had been the eleven- whether the agents of the peculiar occurrences at Enfield were simply year-old at the centre of the events in the late 70s, but were extremely refusing to play to tough crowds. concerned about her resilience and sought an assurance from me that In her piece, Ms. Barrington makes the point that "Janet has consis- I could keep it generalised and unconfrontational, which I was happy to tently resisted the fame and fortune that would certainly come her way do. When I met Janet in the Green Room, I have to say I found her if she were now to claim that she had faked all her phenomena." While extremely likeable and every bit as nervous as I had been warned. She true, that carries the implicit assumption that fame and fortune are the has previously been quite publicity-averse and, fair enough, most peo- objects of Janet's desire. Having been a witness to her demeanour at a ple would find going on the telly very nerve-wracking indeed.
    [Show full text]
  • Annual Report 2015-16
    Public Health Association of Australia Annual Report 1 July 2015 – 30 June 2016 PHAA ANNUAL REPORT 2015-16 Contents Introduction ......................................................................................................................................... 3 The Board ............................................................................................................................................. 4 Staff ...................................................................................................................................................... 5 President’s Report ................................................................................................................................ 6 Vice-President (Development) Report ................................................................................................. 8 Vice-President (Policy) Report ............................................................................................................. 9 Vice President (Finance) Report ........................................................................................................ 10 Vice President (Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander) Report ................................................................. 12 CEO Report ......................................................................................................................................... 14 Membership ......................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • CFI-Annual-Report-2018.Pdf
    Message from the President and CEO Last year was another banner year for the Center the interests of people who embrace reason, for Inquiry. We worked our secular magic in a science, and humanism—the principles of the vast variety of ways: from saving lives of secular Enlightenment. activists around the world who are threatened It is no secret that these powerful ideas like with violence and persecution to taking the no others have advanced humankind by nation’s largest drugstore chain, CVS, to court unlocking human potential, promoting goodness, for marketing homeopathic snake oil as if it’s real and exposing the true nature of reality. If you medicine. are looking for humanity’s true salvation, CFI stands up for reason and science in a way no look no further. other organization in the country does, because This past year we sought to export those ideas to we promote secular and humanist values as well places where they have yet to penetrate. as scientific skepticism and critical thinking. The Translations Project has taken the influential But you likely already know that if you are reading evolutionary biology and atheism books of this report, as it is designed with our supporters in Richard Dawkins and translated them into four mind. We want you not only to be informed about languages dominant in the Muslim world: Arabic, where your investment is going; we want you to Urdu, Indonesian, and Farsi. They are available for take pride in what we have achieved together. free download on a special website. It is just one When I meet people who are not familiar with CFI, of many such projects aimed at educating people they often ask what it is we do.
    [Show full text]
  • WILDLIFE APOCALYPSE How Myths and Superstitions Drive Animal Extinction
    CBS Paranormal Segment | Changelings | UFO Conspiracies | Balles Award | ‘Flying Friar’ | Fake News Vol. 42 No. 4 | July/August 2018 the Magazine for Science and Reason WILDLIFE APOCALYPSE How Myths and Superstitions Drive Animal Extinction Skepticism Reloaded Cell Phones, Cancer, and Chance Lotus Birth Fad Speed Reading: Fact or Fiction? Skepticism and Literature Published by the Center for Inquiry with the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry Response to Flood Creationists Committee for Skeptical Inquiry www.csicop.orgwww.csicop.org Robyn E. Blumner, President and CEO Joe Nickell, Senior Research Fellow Benjamin Radford, Research Fellow Bar ry Karr, Ex ec u tive Di rect or Massimo Polidoro, Research Fellow Richard Wiseman, Research Fellow Fellows James E. Al cock,* psy chol o gist, York Univ., Kevin Folta, molecular biologist, professor and Law rence Kusche, sci ence writer Mas si mo Pol id oro, sci ence writer; au thor; Tor on to chair of Horticultural Sciences Department, Le on Le der man, emer i tus di rect or, Fer mi lab; ex ec u tive di rect or of CI CAP, It a ly Mar cia An gell, MD, former ed i tor-in-chief, University of Florida. No bel lau re ate in phys ics James L. Powell, geochemist, author, ex- New Eng land Jour nal of Med i cine Barbara Forrest, professor of philosophy, SE Stephan Lewandowsky, psychologist, School ecutive director, National Physical Science Kimball Atwood IV, MD, physician; author; Louisiana Univ. of Experimental Psychology and Cabot Insti- Consortium Newton, MA An drew Fra knoi, astronomer, University of tute, Univ. of Bristol, UK Anthony R.
    [Show full text]
  • Disability in an Age of Environmental Risk by Sarah Gibbons a Thesis
    Disablement, Diversity, Deviation: Disability in an Age of Environmental Risk by Sarah Gibbons A thesis presented to the University of Waterloo in fulfillment of the thesis requirement for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in English Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, 2016 © Sarah Gibbons 2016 I hereby declare that I am the sole author of this thesis. This is a true copy of the thesis, including any required final revisions, as accepted by my examiners. I understand that my thesis may be made electronically available to the public. ii Abstract This dissertation brings disability studies and postcolonial studies into dialogue with discourse surrounding risk in the environmental humanities. The central question that it investigates is how critics can reframe and reinterpret existing threat registers to accept and celebrate disability and embodied difference without passively accepting the social policies that produce disabling conditions. It examines the literary and rhetorical strategies of contemporary cultural works that one, promote a disability politics that aims for greater recognition of how our environmental surroundings affect human health and ability, but also two, put forward a disability politics that objects to devaluing disabled bodies by stigmatizing them as unnatural. Some of the major works under discussion in this dissertation include Marie Clements’s Burning Vision (2003), Indra Sinha’s Animal’s People (2007), Gerardine Wurzburg’s Wretches & Jabberers (2010) and Corinne Duyvis’s On the Edge of Gone (2016). The first section of this dissertation focuses on disability, illness, industry, and environmental health to consider how critics can discuss disability and environmental health in conjunction without returning to a medical model in which the term ‘disability’ often designates how closely bodies visibly conform or deviate from definitions of the normal body.
    [Show full text]
  • Spreading Skepticism
    Spreading Skepticism WENDY GROSSMAN ecently, the science writer John Horgan took skeptics consider probabilities. to task in Scientific American (http://blogs.scientifi- Some people are born to skep- R camerican.com/cross-check/dear-skeptics-bash-ho- ticism, some achieve it, and some have it thrust upon them. I think meopathy-and-bigfoot-less-mammograms-and-war- I was born this way. (“Everything more/) and at the Northeast Conference on Science and I say, there’s always an argument,” Skepticism for focusing too much on weak problems at the my mother used to say.) As a Cor- expense of strong ones. As examples of soft targets he listed nell student from 1971–1975, I ESP, heaven, homeopathy, Bigfoot, and disbelief in vaccines watched friends experiment with and climate change; among hard ones, multiverses, the transcendental meditation (TM) Singularity, overtreatment and overtesting for cancer (nota- and Erhard Seminars Training (est). I became a professional bly, mammograms), overmedication for mental illness, and folksinger and spent the rest of the deep-roots theory of war. He contended that tribalism is the 1970s encountering adher- served by our self-indulgence with “weak” targets. ents of “old knowledge”—witch- Horgan was quickly advised tic about skepticism.” In 2013, a craft, palmistry, and other beliefs how varied skepticism really is. Cochrane survey noted that the that would shortly be reframed as Outside the United States, wide- most reliable studies indicate that “New Age.” Particularly memo- spread belief in homeopathy mat- screening does not overall reduce rably, someone once told me he ters much more if governments breast cancer mortality but does investigated a reincarnation claim decide to include it in publicly cause much unnecessary treat- and found the true explanation funded, cash-strapped national ment (http://www.cochrane.org/ was genetic memory.
    [Show full text]
  • Annual Report 2019–20
    Annual report 2019–20 Healthy Profession. Healthy Australia. Recommended citation The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. Annual report 2019–20. East Melbourne, Vic: RACGP, 2020. The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners Ltd 100 Wellington Parade East Melbourne, Victoria 3002 Tel 03 8699 0414 Fax 03 8699 0400 www.racgp.org.au ABN: 34 000 223 807 ISSN: 2201-0505 © The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners 2020 This resource is provided under licence by the RACGP. Full terms are available at www.racgp.org.au/usage/licence. In summary, you must not edit or adapt it or use it for any commercial purposes. You must acknowledge the RACGP as the owner. We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands and seas on which we work and live, and pay our respects to Elders, past, present and future. B RACGP Annual report 2019–20 Contents New challenges, new opportunities: Faculty and expert A year at the RACGP 2 committee highlights 83 In memory of Dr Harry Nespolon 3 Faculties at a glance 84 About the RACGP 5 RACGP NSW&ACT 86 Highlights of the financial year 6 RACGP SA&NT 88 RACGP WA 90 Leadership 9 RACGP Queensland 91 Message from the President 10 RACGP Tasmania 93 Message from the Chair 13 RACGP Victoria 94 Message from the Acting Censor-in-Chief 14 RACGP Rural 96 Our Board 16 RACGP Specific Interests 98 Message from the Acting Chief Executive Officer 17 RACGP Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health 99 Operations 20 RACGP GPs in Training 104 Your RACGP during COVID-19 21 RACGP expert committees at
    [Show full text]
  • That's a Lot of Goop by Reg P. Wydeven September
    That’s a Lot of Goop By Reg P. Wydeven September 16, 2018 As a comic book nerd, I love all of the Marvel Cinematic Universe movies. Not only are their standalone hero movies great, but the individual chapters are all woven together to form one overarching story in outstanding ensemble films. It all started with ‘Iron Man.’ The 2008 movie introduced us to Tony Stark, the self-proclaimed billionaire genius playboy philanthropist played by Robert Downey, Jr. Stark uses his money and smarts to create the Iron Man suit. Tony’s love interest is Pepper Potts, portrayed by Gwyneth Paltrow. Because she is so trustworthy and has such integrity, Pepper takes over Tony’s role as CEO of Stark Industries when he becomes a full-time superhero. That’s why it’s so hard to believe, and so disappointing, that Pepper misled everyone in real life. Like her Marvel movie counterpart, Paltrow is the head of Goop, a huge corporation. Like ‘Iron Man,’ it was launched in 2008, starting as a weekly e-mail newsletter. It provided insight into Gwyneth’s personal life and offered new age advice, such as “police your thoughts” and “eliminate white foods.” The newsletter became a lifestyle website that has over 3 million visitors a month. Instead of just offering advice, Goop got into the business of selling products that would enhance your life. Goods are sold through the website and in local pop-up shops across the country. The wares include a makeup and skincare line, a clothing line, perfume and scented candles, and vitamins and supplements.
    [Show full text]
  • Amos Yong Complete Curriculum Vitae
    Y o n g C V | 1 AMOS YONG COMPLETE CURRICULUM VITAE Table of Contents PERSONAL & PROFESSIONAL DATA ..................................................................................... 2 Education ................................................................................................................................................... 2 Academic & Administrative Positions & Other Employment .................................................................... 3 Visiting Professorships & Fellowships ....................................................................................................... 3 Memberships & Certifications ................................................................................................................... 3 PUBLICATIONS ............................................................................................................................ 4 Monographs/Books – and Reviews Thereof.............................................................................................. 4 Edited Volumes – and Reviews Thereof .................................................................................................. 11 Co-edited Book Series .............................................................................................................................. 16 Missiological Engagements: Church, Theology and Culture in Global Contexts (IVP Academic) – with Scott W. Sunquist and John R. Franke ................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Opinion Piece Open Access
    OPINION PIECE OPEN ACCESS ABSTRACT With a rise in the use of alternative medicine, such as acupuncture, reflexology, and herbal remedies to treat infertility, it is important to consider if such treatment regimens are rooted in evidence. This ARTICLE INFORMATION piece provides a brief overview of the literature on the efficacy of common forms of alternative methods Received: 15 October 2019 Senior Editor to treat infertility and concludes by suggesting po- Accepted: 14 November 2019 Ishita Paliwal tential reasons for its increased use. Published: 29 November 2019 Reviewers and Section Editors Layout Editor Keywords: Alternative medicine, infertility, acu- Kasia Tywonek Youssef El-Sayes puncture, herbal medicine Pouriya Sadeghighazichaki Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has ties of conceiving a child due to reproductive health become more common for the treatment of infertility issues.1 Conversely, the findings of a study by Shahin in recent years. Common alternative methods for et al. (2009) lend support to CAM’s effectiveness in treating infertility include the use of acupuncture and treating infertility.2 The researchers investigated the herbal supplements.1 Acupuncture involves the inser- impact of herbal supplements on the menstrual cycle tion of thin needles into the body, whereas herbal and found better outcomes in individuals using herbs. medicine uses medicinal plants as the basis for treat- Healthy menstrual cycle characteristics tend to im- ment.1 It has become common to see references to un- prove the probability of conceiving a child, therefore, conventional reproductive health practices in popular investigation of the link between the use of CAM and culture. There has also been a rise in the use of web- the menstrual cycle is of high relevance to the poten- sites such as goop.com, which recommend novel tial of conception.
    [Show full text]
  • Understanding Safety and Adverse Drug Events in Homeopathy: a Fair and Balanced Approach
    CONTINUING EDUCATION THIS ACTIVITY IS SUPPORTED BY AN EDUCATIONAL GRANT FROM BOIRON USA. Understanding Safety and Adverse Drug Events in Homeopathy: A Fair and Balanced Approach FACULTY EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES Jeannette Y. Wick, RPh, MBA, FASCP At the completion of this activity, the participant will be able to: Freelance Medical Writer • Examine homeopathic principles and the FDA’s risk-based regulations for homeopathic products Arlington, Virginia • Compare common homeopathic products, the symptoms for which they are used, and the Assistant Director, Office of Pharmacy likelihood of an adverse drug event based on dilutions Professional Development • Analyze Poison Control Center data to assess the safety of homeopathic products University of Connecticut School of • Identify appropriate uses and counseling points for homeopathic products Pharmacy TARGET AUDIENCE: Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians Storrs, Connecticut ACTIVITY TYPE: Application DISCLOSURES RELEASE DATE: December 14. 2020 The following contributors have no EXPIRATION DATE: January 23, 2023 relevant financial relationships with ESTIMATED TIME TO COMPLETE ACTIVITY: 2.0 hours commercial interests to disclose: FEE: This lesson is offered for free at www.pharmacytimes.org. FACULTY Jeannette Wick, RPh, MBA, FASCP PHARMACY TIMES CONTINUING Introduction ($174 million), pain relief ($85 million), EDUCATION™ In the United States, “wellness” is a and children’s medicine ($87 million) the PLANNING STAFF 1 3,4 Jim Palatine, RPh, MBA; Maryjo Dixon, multitrillion-dollar industry. The wellness top sellers. But HCPs frequently lack RPh; Crissy Wilson; Susan Pordon; and industry encompasses alternative therapies knowledge about homeopathy.5 Homeopathy Brianna Winters such as specialized diets, complementary advocates cite its lack of adverse events PHARMACY TIMES® EDITORIAL STAFF and alternative medicines, and home- (AEs), patient-centered approach, and low Davy James An anonymous peer reviewer was part of the opathy.
    [Show full text]