Hippie Science Variety Hour

Health Scams: Buyer Beware

Episode Summary

From crystal water bottles to MLM supplements, we try to cover the highlights of red flags and clever marketing that take advantage of so many people searching for better health. In today’s media driven world and with marketing becoming so targeted it is easy to fall victim to the numerous health scams circulating today. Join us for a deep dive into some infamous health/medical related scams and discussions on what red flags you should be aware of based on hours of research and personal experience.

Episode Notes

Ep. 110 Health Scams...Buyer Beware

From crystal water bottles to MLM supplements, we try to cover the highlights of red flags and clever marketing that take advantage of so many people searching for better health. In today’s media driven world and with marketing becoming so targeted it is easy to fall victim to the numerous health scams circulating today. Join us for a deep dive into some infamous health/medical related scams and discussions on what red flags you should be aware of based on hours of research and personal experience. 

Red Flags to Watch for with Health Scams:

  1. Outrageous Cure Rates
  2. Using buzz words like “breakthrough science”, “cutting edge technology”
  3. Direct to Market: Bypassing clinical trials, medical research or peer based reviews
  4. Cure All Treatments
  5. Misleading research cited: Check the articles listed and see if they actually pertain to the treatment suggested. 
  6. Quick Fixes: Healing takes time, trust me (Jessica). 

Main Tips:

  1. Check out what research and treatment options your trusted nonprofit organization supports. They work very hard for the money they raise and you can be assured that they check into who and what they back within their field. www.lymewarrior.us for Lyme Disease 
  2. Dig deeper into research. Only you can make these health based decisions, and it is up to you to make sure it is an informed one. 
  3. Don’t base your decision only on testimonials. 

For our fellow hippie science geeks...Here are links to some of the research done for this episode. Enjoy your decent deeper into the rabbit hole. We sure did.

Movies, Shows, Documentaries:

The Inventor:Out for Blood in Silicon Valley

YouTube Video Research:

How One Guy Sold the World on an $80 Used Tissue| Comedy Central

https://youtu.be/fTHg-tGvlJ8

How Lies Launch Modern Medicine | Dr. Nathalia Holt | TEDxCapeMay

https://youtu.be/qnSQIPD3lB4

Dispelling the myths of homeopathy | Dr. Shantanu Abhyankar | TEDxPICT

https://youtu.be/zXKcRklWkcA

Ayurveda Over Western Medicines | Dr. B.M HEGDE | TEDxMITE

https://youtu.be/HzTvEK1sVi0

Homeopathy, quackery and fraud | James Randi

https://youtu.be/c0Z7KeNCi7g

US Health Care: Win, Fail or Scam? Truth About Medical System in America, | Truth Talks

https://youtu.be/-DZwUTFOEoY

Health Fraud Scams -- Be Smart, Be Aware, Be Careful Video

https://youtu.be/KsPlwKbGxE8

How to stop the lies infecting medical research | Martin Elliott | TEDxWandsworth

https://youtu.be/hjMGpB6wzek

How To Spot a Scam| Derek Banas

https://youtu.be/8Y-CPr8SZDM

Health Fraud Awareness (Consumer Update)

https://youtu.be/sEHLs_ZXRZI

7 “Healthy” Purchases That Are Total Wastes Of Money | The Financial Diet

https://youtu.be/0JLFjHhzXOk