The Paper Two Articles

While scanning the paper this morning I was elated and then disappointed. One article on A2 of the Minot Daily had an article "Top Hospital Willing to try Mystical Mumbo Jumbo". It explained that one hospital in Baltimore was using Reiki therapy, if you can call it that, and other CAM (Complimentary and Alternative Medicine). I believe it accurately portrayed the circumstances and the reality of the situation, except saying there might be some good from accupuncture and ginger. It was on the mark as far as the part saying that testing of such therapies show no therapuetic value by the branch of NIH that tests such modalities. By the way that branch was pushed through by Senator Grassly of Iowa. He did as he wanted CAM to be supported. He sells bee pollen as a cure all to his colleagues in congress and didn't want the FDA to regulate it. He was disappointed recently as his baby isn't supporting CAM because the research shows it is useless. But, that is beside the point. The article correctly calls this "mumbo jumbo" and it is emotion that drives it not science. People want safe alternatives to traditional medicine that is not controlled by big pharma. There is delusion as these products are made by big companies and are sold using emotion, like in the sale of cars, make up, etc. It also shows that white well educated, females seem to be the primary users. So much for education when emotion and sales pitches rule the brain. Then I was disappointed by an advertisement on page A5; "Brain Oxygen-Boosting Miracle Energizes Mind, Mood and Memory: New pill sharpens focus, clears away brain fog, erases 15 years of lost memory power!" It uses those same items cited in the first article to sell in this one. Joshua Reynolds at a world renowned brain research university has announced the successful testing of the memory pill. Really what university, what research? This Joshual Reynolds is best selling author and US clinical research scientist and it took over 40 years to perfect. Really, I haven't heard of him and there is nothing in the real medical literature that mentions this stuff. Then using cleaver salesmanship and scientific language, that sounds ever so impressive, they tout this "miracle cure" that acts within minutes. Then they go on to give you a bonus "All New Users Receive Free Bonus Bottle!" and then "Free Rapid Detox Formula for First 500 Callers!" A convienent call toll free number is provided and at the very last a disclaimer. First most people don't read the disclaimers. Next there are some red flags. Anything that says "miracle" should be weary, that is an emotionally charged word that is meant to gain attention and promise a lot for nothing. Next when the university is not mentioned then be weary. There may have been an university, or not. Most likely not a real one. Next touting scientific talk with free bonuses, think this is a hook to sell me something. It even shows a brain scan picture. Most lay people would have no idea what they are even looking at, but it is impressive. Remember you can get any old MRI or CT scan of anything over the internet. So did this really come from their research or was it from some where else and they just borrowed it?
I was getting hopeful then I was let down again.
Peace
Skeptical DoDo