Sceptics stage homeopathy 'overdose' to discredit drugs

[HuckleB]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8489019.stm

Everyone went home after their "overdoses," with no ill effects.

Here in Oregon, we are in the middle of a very public trial in regard to "faith healing." To me that's necessary, but what is the difference between homeopathy and faith healing?

And, yeah, I know people take non-substance pills with homeopathy while faith healing sends prayer into the body. So what's the difference again?

(For a little context for the comparison see: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8211925.stm and http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7505286.stm )

:shrug:

[HuckleB]

1. Homeopathy: At 10:23 tomorrow we will prove there is nothing in it

Hundreds of homeopathy sceptics around the UK are stocking up on pills ready to take overdoses at 10:23 tomorrow. Martin Robbins explains why he is one of them

http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2010/jan/29/homeopathy-10-23-overdose

Thank you, Mr. Robbins.

[Liberal Veteran]

15. I hope the authorities stop them from engaging in this dangerous demonstration....

....ingesting too much water can lead to hyper-hydration and upset the electrolyte balance in the body (also known as water intoxication).

[MercutioATC]

2. There's a logical disconnect in their demonstration.

They're not proving that homeopathy doesn't have positive effects, they're proving that overdosing on homeopathic "medicines" has no ill effects.

Those are two very different things.

[HuckleB]

7. If so, then why are the directions on the bottles so clear that one shouldn't take this much?

[paulsby]

9. because it creates the false impression of potency among the scientifically ignorant

this methodology can be and is, with placebos

[HuckleB]

12. Exactly.

[MercutioATC]

17. All they've done is disprove the warnings' claims of possible harm.

That has absolutely nothing to do with the efficacy of the product.


For the record, I am NOT suggesting that homeopathic "medicines" work...but this demonstration has absolutely no logical merit.

[HuckleB]

19. Actually, it does disprove any BS warnings about taking too much of the "medicine."

Which also puts any claims of any efficacy into question.

It's a great protest, and it brings attention to the fact that the "medicine" does nothing.

[MercutioATC]

20. Only for people without the ability to think critically.

...which, unfortunately, is the majority of our populace.

The demonstrators are taking advantage of the same failing in consumers that those advocating homeopathy are. Their "evidence" is every bit as bogus as the "evidence" of those selling this stuff.

[salvorhardin]

21. I'm not sure I follow

If substance S is claimed to have X effect when take in Y dosage, does it not follow that taking X in 100Y dosage should show some effect greater than X?

Then if no effect whatsoever is observed, is it not reasonable to conclude that S doesn't really have X effect in any dosage?

[HuckleB]

22. Again, they are protesting the claims of homeopathy.

You seem to think they're protesting something else entirely.

[HuckleB]

26. You want purpose? How's this...

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE1001/S00073.htm

"A public mass overdose of homeopathic remedies has forced the New Zealand Council of Homeopaths to admit openly that their products do not contain any "material substances". Council spokeswoman Mary Glaisyer admitted publicly that "there´s not one molecule of the original substance remaining" in the diluted remedies that form the basis of this multi-million-dollar industry."

[HysteryDiagnosis]

3. Can't wait to see the results.... n/t

[paulsby]

4. homeopathic medicine makes creationism look scientifically rigorous

amazes me how many people fall for this rubbish

[glowing]

5. Do you actuall know what you are talking about? There are many things in nature that

the science lab tries to replicate in the lab, patent, and sell for lots of money. Research in the rainforest and the marine environment are huge. I didn't read the specifics of what these people are doing, but don't dicredit some of the very things that came from studying nature.. Even marijuana is being replicated for its medicinal value in the lab.

[HuckleB]

6. Do you know anything about homeopathy?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZiLsFaEzog

[paulsby]

8. exactly

fwiw, i use many forms of alternative medicine.

homeopathy otoh, is based upon dilution often beyond the level where even some molecules of the original substance remain

it is ABSURD

[trotsky]

10. For the love of Koresh PLEASE look up and understand what "homeopathy" means.

You make yourself look really silly not even knowing the definition of the word.

[MineralMan]

11. It's clear that homeopathy is something with which

you are completely unfamiliar.

[laconicsax]

13. Stupid question:

Wouldn't an overdose on homeopathic remedies require taking less than the directed "dose" or diluting it further?

I would imagine that taking a large quantity of something would technically count as a underdose in homeopatic land.

[HuckleB]

14. In homeopathy land, it would seem to be "true."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bg1mSo7JQM

[HuckleB]

16. Homeopathy and Its Kindred Delusions by Oliver Wendell Holmes

http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/holmes.html

:)

[muriel_volestrangler]

18. Video by one-time DUer Tim Ireland of his overdose

Tim posted here as 'manic' a few years ago, and runs the blog http://www.bloggerheads.com/ .

I took part in the http://www.1023.org.uk/ 10:23 'overdose' event on January 30th 2010 and shot this footage in Guildford. I applied the visual effect as a fast way of anonymising staff/bystanders. Apologies for the rough audio.

Yes, in the guide book attached to the shelf, Boots recommended a series of products for a range of ailments/applications including 'Facing Your Fears'. For this they recommend something called Mimulus. Sadly, they were out of stock and I had to face my fears alone, and without the aid of greatly-diluted... anti-fear stuff. The product I 'overdosed' on was Chamomilla http://bit.ly/dglgr9 which is meant to address conditions arising from 'anger & vexation' or some such nonsense. No, really.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3LylYfYGvk

Note he carefully had to educate an assistant on the difference between herbal and homeopathic remedies, since he knows that herbal medicines actually contain active substances, so that an overdose would be possible.

[Liberal Veteran]

23. So! What was the final death toll? How many were hospitalized?

[HuckleB]

24. 6.022137 × 10^23

http://www.theness.com/neurologicablog/?p=1536

A good piece on the matter...

[HuckleB]

25. GPs call for end of NHS homeopathy

http://www.pulsetoday.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=35&storycode=4124908&c=1