What the NIH’s Multibillion-Dollar Research on Alternative Medicine Reveals

What does science say about alternative medicines and health fads? Neil deGrasse Tyson and co-hosts Chuck Nice and Gary O’Reilly learn about the science behind what alternative medicine can and cannot do with director of National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, Helene Langevin, M.D.
Do any alternative medicines have scientific backing? Are we completely at the mercy of influencers for health advice? What is “complementary medicine”? Learn about how many vitamins you should be taking and whether you need them at all. How do you keep up with changing health research? We discuss supplements and meal replacement. Can food really be replaced?
We break down acupuncture and what it does and doesn’t do. Why would someone in pain want to get stabbed by needles? How does the placebo effect work? Does it work? We explore cold therapies like cold plunge and the effect of physiological stress.
Is sitting down the new smoking? We talk about the role of stretching and what it does for your connective tissue. Can you stretch too much? What happens if you don’t move? We discuss inflammation and its role in healing. How can our healthcare system help improve overall health? Plus, is natural always good and artificial always bad?
Thanks to our Patrons Patrick, Tylré Livingstone, Claire Sims, Terrel Kimber, tinybird, Shawn Hugo, Chris Trent, Deborah Lagutaris, Steve Doom!, and Brian Lopez for supporting us this week.
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00:00 - Introduction: Complementary Medicine
04:29 - NIH Investigating Alternative Medicine
7:40 - Do We Need to Take More Vitamins?
12:20 - Why Does Health Advice Change So Much?
17:50 - Verifying Substances & Meal Replacements
20:58 - Science on Acupuncture & The Placebo Effect
28:10 - Cold Therapy & Science of Resilience
33:35 - Is Sitting the New Smoking?
37:58 - Can You Over-Stretch?
42:10 - Inflammation: Good or Bad?
44:55 - Is “Natural” Always Good?

[@alanjackson1015]

"You know what they call alternative medicine that's been proved to work? - Medicine" Tim Minchin

[@moonshoes11]

Storm. ✌️

[@Bluebloods7]

"proved"

[@wjrasmussen666]

Ask him how to treat your cancer.

[@moonshoes11]

@@wjrasmussen666 He’s a pretty clever, and caring person. I bet he’d recommend seeing a doctor, a specialist in the field.

[@geraldineclarke5434]

The ever wise Mr. Minchin.....

[@SRKKM]

An ancient Tamil proverb goes, "In excess, even ambrosia is poison." And "Food is medicine" is pretty much the motto of the ancient Tamil Siddha system.

[@rickkwitkoski1976]

@SRKKM So is an excess of oxygen... or water!

[@jessejamez5985]

If food was medicine id be healthy and fat instead of just fat. Lol, jk. I know why im fat.

[@EchosJourneys]

My dad used to say “Too much of anything, is good for nothing.”

[@goonhoongtatt1883]

In excess, even water is poison.

[@karthikselva4548]

Dosage is the poison

[@coolbreeze5683]

There was a woman who was in the trial group for AZ and she had a severe adverse reaction. All of the AZ doctors and her own doctors refused to diagnose and treat her. They told her it's a psychological issue. Doctors at the NIH reviewed her case and flew her out to Maryland for treatment with IVIG, which helped her. The NIH doesn't mess around with the politics or follow what pharmaceutical companies want. They are interested in investigating and helping people without the nonsense other doctors are influenced by.

[@pamelaellis2291]

Too bad the FDA doesn't live by the same standards.

[@pappi8338]

​@@pamelaellis2291We're talking about the NIH

[@ecospider5]

We are talking about the medical industry at large with an expert from the NCCIH

[@jamesgrenier4639]

😅😅😮 2:18

[@jamesgrenier4639]

😮😮😮😅

[@forgetful3360]

Thank-you Dr Langevin. It's comforting to know that there are people with your knowledge and wisdom at the NIH.

[@boscoblack]

Don’t get too emotional

[@voxp]

I completely agree with your point. Scientists provide clear, specific results and conclusions with defined conditions, probabilities, and certainties. Yet, the press often distorts this into sensational headlines like "Scientist suggests you eat this," which misrepresents the science.

[@cordellsenior9935]

Where was this objective rhetoric when they were mandating Covid shots? "Science suggests you take this vaccine. Trust me. I am science" - Anthony Fuci.

[@CrazyCuteThing]

Moderation in all things... including moderation

[@MuskyMarmot]

-Socrates

[@rforan12]

No. Worst saying of all time.

[@LogicAndReason2025]

I don't mind covering sugar pills for placebo, as long as they charge only for a sugar pill.

[@pandaprophetable]

Clinical trials are either free or they pay you

[@duzzzduzzz]

SciShow has an episode titled "$1 Placebo vs $10,000 Placebo (It Matters)" So, I hope insurance covers my placebos!

[@Shayzare]

You go to a restaurant and pay $75 dollars for a delicious chicken sandwich, you watch a news program that exposed that same restaurant for using $4.00 Chicken 🐔 sandwich from Popeye's Chicken. How does that chicken taste now.🤣😏😁😇🫡

[@scottmcelhiney323]

Price depends on if they are Free Range all natural, organic sugar pills.

[@baishihua]

One could argue that the higher price is what makes you take it seriously, hence enhancing the placebo effect. The same way people's enjoyment of wine goes up with its price, even though they can't actually taste the difference in a blind test.

[@rattfink9]

I suggest that the StarTalk should absolutely get one of the people from the Science Based Medicine team, perhaps Doctor Novella, on to comment on many of these claims, especially accupuncture and placebo as "why not" treatments.

[@rattfink9]

It looks like Doctor Novella heard about this episode already. Anyone (should be everyone, really) interested in his resonse can search the Startalk Acupuncture, Universe scale, and other odd news episode of the Skeptic's Guide here on youtube.

[@tn_onyoutube8436]

I just made the exact same point! Get a real doctor on, not this quack.

[@rattfink9]

I think it is easy to see the NIH connection and trust that authority, but we all know what that fallacy is, I hope.

[@Veeefour]

100%

[@olafsimonse]

Fully agree! I usually really admire Neil for his science communication, but here he´s got it all wrong. Accupuncture does not work. Period.

[@johnanderson290]

5 minutes in and I had to comment already… Chuck Nice is a riot!! 🤣😂

[@rarephoenix]

Been there 😂

[@oftenlucid]

Can not agree. He just throws the whole conversation off the rails for really dumb jokes. He is the sole reason I don't watch more of these. . . .

[@rarephoenix]

@@oftenlucid weird - the show wouldn't have a profitable audience without Chuck.

[@oftenlucid]

@@rarephoenix Huh? And where did you pull that bit of wisdom out of? Who is the bigger draw, NDT or Chuck? I would argue it would be more "profitable" if he were not there. I would rather listen to NDT speak, who is funny enough on his own, than see the conversation be derailed constantly by sophomoric humor.

[@lewisdye1002]

"If some is good, more is better" has been my basic operating system for many years. I don't know how much actual benefit I have derived from this, but I immediately feel that I may have not achieved my overall goal of helping myself by adhering to an incorrect approach to living well. Thanks for updating (I have survived 77 years of it) my overall approach.

[@rickkwitkoski1976]

@lewisdye1002 Linus Pauling, SMART guy, promoted large doses of vitamin C. His ideas were wrong. Too much of anything is no good for you.

[@jr.6199]

This more is better, is a uniquely an American approach and very common in the US. It is why we have more people dying of supplement overdosing in the US.

[@michaelccopelandsr7120]

Neil and Chuck for 2024!

[@garylewis4398]

I was genuinely surprised by this interview. From the little headline adorning the thumbnail of this episode, I expected a whole lot of negativity. I found Dr. Langevin to be open minded, very knowledgeable, and reasonable in her opinions. And for Neal, the things that I eat that are "all natural" don't come with "packaging"!

[@annwagner5779]

I’m from Bethesda, Maryland, home of NIH. I’m always thrilled to learn more about their work. Thank you!

[@yamilletrivas8041]

I absolutely enjoyed learning about this. I am familiar with a lot of what NIH does, but was not really aware of how big and well funded Integrative Health . Also I love Dr . Helene. She was so fun. Great questions by the StarTalk team.

[@johnstevens3598]

What a GREAT(!) 'cast! Thank you Dr. Langevin! Thank you Dr. Tyson! And Gary! And Chuck! This was VERY informative! One thing that I would want Dr. Langevin to discuss the next time she comes on is "Adaptive response" to activity, medicines and complimentary medicines. PLEASE bring her back! Her explanations were so spot on, and so informative! As always, So Good!

[@jtx1975]

The pharmaceutical industry should not be allowed to advertise to the public, nor give kick backs to doctors based on the prescription given to their patients.

[@Russia-bullies]

Thanks for the info.Langevin.More of it,pls.

[@lovevsmoney6821]

Fantastic Voyage was a great movie! It’s what got me interested in the medical field when I was young, even though it was kinda out there.

[@michaelccopelandsr7120]

Got me interested in Rachel Welch. ;-P

[@lovevsmoney6821]

@@michaelccopelandsr7120 Also a valid reason! I mean-Who could resist? She was the bees knees! 😉

[@robertolobo6548]

Excelent interview! Thanks y'all!

[@Renatus_Eruditus]

Drinking is the new smoking, actually. In fact, in terms of overall health risk, it's worse than smoking.

[@rogeriopenna9014]

Drinking what? Dihydrogen monoxide?

[@mvic81818]

When it comes to straight up alcoholism, like 15+ drinks a day, this is absolutely true. The exact number of drinks a day to make this true depends on a lot of factors, so I just kind of randomly picked a pretty high daily consumption btw. The effects of such a large amount of alcohol effects is much more damaging to social and physical health than smoking. However if it’s like 5 or fewer drinks a day, while that wouldn’t be good for you (and once again specific amounts depend on many factors) will almost certainly not be as bad as smoking. But also, the amount of smoking is also a factor. Like I imagine 1 cigarette a day is not as bad as 5 drinks a day. So my this or that amount of drinks in a day I was pretty much going along the lines of comparing to an average pack a day smoker. Show me some research on any of this and I will gladly change my mind, especially because I have been hearing more and more from neurologists and doctors in general about how alcohol is never “good” for you for whatever topic they may be covering at the time.

[@baishihua]

But there is a pretty big area between occasional drinking to full on destructive alcoholism, while in smoking it doesn't take much to be hooked. So yes the worst version of drinking is worse than the worst version of smoking, but it takes much more to get there with drinking.

[@user-nm9ht5ez6l]

If you willingly place your hand on a hot flame, you're going to get burned, no matter the type of flame. How much data do you need to prove this theory?

[@humanbean3]

@@baishihua drinking kills other people though if we're talking about physical and mental effects. that should be taken into consideration along with the different levels of smoking and drinking.

[@justinmckean]

I love you guys. Always a good time and helpful.

[@georgieh91]

she didnt like the grapes to french fries joke🤦‍♂️😂

[@jaynine]

I don't think she understood what he was getting at.

[@Chicago_Native]

She definitely didn't get it. I'm not sure how either. It was an easy one.

[@squirlmy]

she also said "french fries don't have many vitamins... let's stick to vegetables." Well, french fries are potatoes=vegetables, grapes are fruit, so ??? Also in trying to define "drugs" as "strongly affecting metabolic pathways" well, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients can do that too, in a variety of circumstances. Can't we just accept "drug" is a completely arbitrary term? People call different herbs and different substances "drugs" when it fits their definition in the moment. It's even more obvious with recreational "drugs". when someone starts talking that way, I get extra skeptical, they're lecturing, not explaining.

[@MiaAtSebs]

he should've went with Wine

[@peterz53]

Neuroscientist Wendy Suzuki, who researches brain plasticity, supports morning exercise topped off with a cold shower for brain health and mood. I do the same and it works for me. Exercise helps a lot in the morning but if I dial down the shower temp to cold for a bit it makes me feel even better.

[@marksandsberry4190]

I believe it was the book 'Life Extension' (author?) which mentioned that having some cold-shower time (within your full shower) invigorates your lymph system. This is thirty-year-old knowledge, of course, and may be suspect.

[@reidloscidem3562]

I naturally do this since the shower at the gym only has cold water. 🤣

[@pmc9941]

I went to see the 1981 movie Blade Runner last wednesday. A very slow paced, hypnotic movie that had the same effect on me as that cryochamber :) I felt relaxed and refreshed. Plus I saw a cinematic masterpiece :)

[@Russia-bullies]

You should see The Jungle Book cartoon show.

[@tomespinoza3021]

Thanks Helene for the very interesting information.

[@loisrossi841]

Excellent, thank you.

[@katherinemartinez5260]

This is such an amazing interview!!! 👏🏽👏🏽 Coming from a newly licensed nurse fully supportive of complementary and integrative medicine education and care. Thank you!

[@athanatic]

I love watching Chuck go right for the science! Every episode he is more born again Hard (Scientist!) NIH: When I google for any health-related thing, I get a good NIH page more often then not!

[@davidt3956]

Chuck is the Greek Chorus. He's us, only funnier.

[@cathycorrigan7106]

I find a lot of podcasts use initials for different departments, institutions, drugs etc thinking that everyone knows what you are referring to. Yes, I am only one country over and I can and do google acronyms but that does interfere with flow of information for me and maybe others. Enjoy the conversations you have!!

[@markyboyclark]

I really liked the episode, thanks Team.

[@teachoc9482]

I feel I can really trust the info from this discussion. Everyone asked great questions and the info about how our body molds to the shape of how we sit or lay or move was the most beneficial to me. Also, the small stresses and stretches being very individual and everything being "goldilocks zone" to each person was very important, I think. THANK YOU for the great video!

[@baddoodle6876]

If you are not stretching regularly. Get to it! It's necessary! 😁 I am a martial artist of over 20 years. Which is just exercise and paying attention. Everything in this video is SO IMPORTANT for feeling comfortable in life.

[@stanleyandrew840]

The answer is balance! One size doesn’t fit all. Personal evaluation is what’s needed to be promoted!

[@danabee3775]

You said it!

[@markniblack7160]

Brilliant conversation.

[@elliottgussow9555]

In all scientific research other than health, going from conjecture to hypothesis to theory can take decades or centuries. Since health research can affect current health problems, there is a motive for rushing from hypothesis to clinic.

[@Eric1396]

Such a great topic and informative interview.

[@AmanBansil]

I’m glad they spoke about “greens powders” - I was wondering about that myself.

[@johnnylayton1672]

"The NIH's mandate does not include tolerating jokes, sir."

[@ecospider5]

She had a really hard time with that in the first half

[@HughMacLeod42]

Humour and laughing is healthy.

[@xxdReaMcHas3r913]

I wonder how much facilities/pharmacies would bill insurance companies for placebo treatments? And most importantly, what would my copay be?

[@m6h3r]

Gary is awesome.

[@jgom4674]

Wow great video thank you all

[@SheSweetLikSugarNSavage]

12:24 Neil makes a very good point.

[@kayfrick7129]

THANKS! for a wonderful discussion. An important health topic I would love to see you discuss is Toxicant Induced Loss of Tolerance. I and thousands like me have been sheltering in place and social distancing for over decade due to perfectly legal toxicants added to nearly every product. Personal care and laundry products are among the worse! We are human canaries that can't sing anymore, and nobody is paying any attention to the warning until they become a canary themselves. It has been about a decade since I have even seen a doctor, because avoiding toxicants is the only treatment for TILT and hospitals and doctors' offices are full of toxicants.

[@JessTalkTV]

What is the website she named for the supplements?

[@64lowlife]

It's time to have a sit down with Terrance Howard 😊.

[@whatabouttheearth]

😂😂😂 he's a lost cause

[@whatabouttheearth]

😂😂😂 he's a lost cause

[@MondoLeStraka]

Chuck's funny with the impersonations!

[@cordellsenior9935]

I find him to be positively annoying. He's silly; not funny. His comments are simplistic. His jokes are childish. Not even sophomoric. I like the show more if he was not a part of it.

[@kathrynsamuelson1983]

O e problem is that, because of modern farming methods, our soils are nutrient deficient, so our food is as well.

[@ecospider5]

It is a big problem

[@kathrynsamuelson1983]

@@ecospider5 Yes indeed

[@reidloscidem3562]

Is there anything we can do to fix that?

[@kathrynsamuelson1983]

@@reidloscidem3562 You might want to read Gabe Browns book Dirt to Soil. It's a movement among farmers to use what's called regenerative agriculture. Once they convert, it's actually cheaper as they aren't buying herbicides and pesticides.

[@NoWay1969]

This was excellent. I've always told the joke that what you call "alternative medicine" that works is just "medicine," but I like the framing here that if it works as a placebo alongside "medicine," then why not. I've re-examined my position, and that's always a good thing.

[@njones420]

i was halfway through typing that joke when I read your comment :) I decided to hit cancel.

[@Lonnie123]

Plenty of reasons why not. To sum it up, for people who seek it out It usually doesn’t sit along side the stuff that actually works it tends to replace it or delay it AKA people try acupuncture or homeopathy instead of chemotherapy, and only after it fails do they seek the real medicine when it may be too late Given that none of this stuff is shown to do anything, there is no benefit to advocating its use in any scenario. It’s all risk/cost with no benefit Here doctor Novellas response in a segment here for a deep dive: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fmiclHd9fNGfaMk

[@NoWay1969]

@@Lonnie123 It is presented in the video as something to be used alongside actual medicine under the advisement of a doctor. Also, no one in the video above is arguing that it's anything other than subjective. If someone's subjective experience is that acupuncture lessens their pain to a degree where they can take less medication, good for them. It wouldn't work for me. Give me the drugs, but I would also expect that someone inclined toward acupuncture is also probably someone inclined toward abusing pain medicine.

[@rbee6507]

"You're like the 50 Cent of back surgeries"...I laughed Chuck! Underrated science communicator. Underrated comedian! Hope to see another special soon if it feels right! You are funnier on this channel alone than most of the comics getting specials currently!

[@thatsmykulture7266]

Hes a great comedian but that is literally his worst joke... 😂

[@scenespin]

Pretty tough to watch. But glad I did. Now I understand where the wasted Billions went that could have gone into physics and epidemiology.

[@jaynine]

Right on. Very misleading at a time when people are already gullible to instant bogus cures touted by social media. I don't think she meant to do that but this interview cried out for a different expert in the field being present to issue some warnings on all these vague, uncritical generalities. Neil, et al, are smart but not in this field

[@user-po1wb9zl1x]

Fr she couldn’t answer anything in depth…doctor 🙄

[@rarephoenix]

I still think the wasted billions are in the military sector. These guys in complementary medicine including NASA together have a fraction of the budget. I say double both medicine and complementary medicine budgets and reduce the military. ❤

[@ZedNebuloid]

​@@rarephoenixTrue, US spends as much as the next 9 countries combined on "defense spending" and half those counters are our allies.

[@TurdBoi-tf5lf]

​@@rarephoenix nah, this is worse than military

[@alswedgin9274]

41:50 that's me.. than again..i only stretch so much.. My nervous system tells me what's right..and i sometimes need to take it easy cause i'm hyper-flexible and sometimes take it easy cause i'm hypo..stiff...

[@plinkfuture2557]

Thank you for your excellent channel! ❤

[@thedahkterizzin8831]

This is Smart Talk!❤

[@dylanfell6975]

very cool guest and interesting topic.

[@pamelaellis2291]

My doctor actually asked me what over the counter medicines and supplements I took.

[@ecospider5]

My kidney stone doctor looked at my chart and saw I was taking vitamin C. He said, that increases your risk for more kidney stones. So unless it is treating something specific, stop taking it. Yes it’s very important to have your OTC drugs and supplements in your chart. I don’t think that is done enough yet. There should also be a section on how you eat. Vegetarian, meat and potatoes only, large dessert every night, ect…

[@EndeavorsDnB]

Yes, tht is something ur dr. should know, if u do partake upon them.

[@Wildman-zh8lg]

For good reason

[@Sicram]

​@@ecospider5Only if you're male though. It doesn't seem to affect females.

[@brianstevens7241]

how do i get this channel to stop autoplaying?

[@Ben_D.]

Nice lady. Good message.

[@michaelitam3132]

Very informative as usual😂 Good job to you all

[@wordswords2094]

NgDTs question at about 12:30 was great.

[@tanyafriedman1982]

Very interesting!!! What about the hype regarding fasting? Great talk! ❤

[@afCbad]

Great topic guys. Kudos to Gary.

[@zackf3688]

Im a certified Rolfer and notice that autonomics and appropriately stressing tissue seems to be reliably helpful.

[@CliffSedge-nu5fv]

People just like being touched.

[@roxanawilson9855]

Very informative!

[@RolandoCocom]

Thank you

[@Tweston3ny]

“Connective tissue” in this case is fascia. Why not explain this and use more precise terms?

[@Sularus92]

Acupuncture is real medicine. After 2 major back surgeries, shoulder surgery, dealing with anxiety after said procedures, acupuncture (Korean based) drastically changed my life forever in a positive manner. Got rid of the opiates I was prescribed, started a solid regiment of acupuncture, and started using cannabis high in cbd.

[@davidt3956]

My favorite example of the placebo effect was long ago. Hospitals wanted to know if pot really worked for chemo anti-nausea. They gave pills. In a blind study, pot was rated as helping, but not as much as the regular drugs. When it wasn't blind, and people knew that's what they were getting, it was rated as helping more than the standard drugs.

[@shannonbarber6161]

Great example of how subterfuge science is enacted and how an intelligent agent can build extreme bias into a study to legitimize their manipulation - You do the pot to build appetite in-spite-of the nausea.

[@davidt3956]

@@shannonbarber6161 No, you take the THC to control the nausea so that you can eat. This is science, not magical thinking. From the NIH site, in 2023, an article abstract, "One of the first documented medicinal uses of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) was for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV), and recent evidence is accumulating to suggest a role for the endocannabinoid system in modulating CINV."

[@KC53557]

Great discussion. If you want to really learn about the benefits of ice baths (which I now swear by). You should invite the Ice Man Wim Hoff on. There is way more to this than what this Dr has described. One unanticipated benefit / risk I’ve witnessed is weight loss. I went from 195 to 180 and I can’t add any more weight no matter what I eat. I have not really changed my exercise routine or eating habits but I have been taking daily cold showers for over 3 years.

[@miravlix]

People seem to forget that because one woman grew up to be a famous dancer, as her parents abused her, doesn't mean you make famous dancers by abusing them. It means that DESPITE the abuse a few exceptional people can become famous dancers, but the statistics is clear and more people become famous dancers with good parents. It's really important to not confuse DESPITE and BECAUSE...

[@TurdBoi-tf5lf]

You said it

[@smithtorreysmith]

At Endiatx we are making tiny robots that swim in the stomach. We just gave a TED talk for PillBot! 13:00

[@waynemcdaniel7405]

Neil, Please interview Dr.Andrew Huberman asap I believe the conversation would be enlightening empowering and highly informative.🙏🏾

[@NicholasNerios]

Very informative

[@makellyjt]

Vitamin D dose must be based on consideration of baseline level, kidney health, "health conditions - aka covid" and residential location. Bottom line though, people in the north and south do not go outside, in the hours required to catch those Vit D rays. 😢

[@adamstevens5518]

Another matter that makes medicine hard, I think, is that things change over time. What if, you want to have a “deficiency” at times, and be satiated at times? Sometimes it might be a small little bit of the “rollercoaster effect” that is actually healthy, long term. Until we do a mass study and know people’s actual habits and actual life results, over their entire life, we know very little. imo. Edit: my own motto is essentially what others have said about using food as medicine. I eat whatever my body asks for, and try new things at times, as long as I don’t know that it’s something unhealthy, like too much candy and stuff with excess sugar. I believe that, in my case at least, my own interpretation of my body’s signals is by far the most reliable factor. Although, I do plan on letting some of you medicine folks in some day, pretty soon, as part of the collaboration :-)

[@undeadly1103]

it was kind of lovely to hear Neil get corrected on "alternative" medicine after correcting Gary on "stance" 🤭🥰 much love to y'all. listen all the time

[@shinankoku2]

Excellent talk

[@marceloleal1957]

That look in Garys face when he talks about cold baths, I'm pretty sure he knows first-hand about the Wim Hof breathing method.

[@formulaic78]

I tried that and really liked it (just the breathing part). Then I read that many people have developed tinnitis as a result of doing it. So I stopped.

[@marceloleal1957]

@@formulaic78 I have no idea what you are talking about, but I've been doing the cold showers and breathings these past few years, and it has really improved my life a lot!

[@formulaic78]

@@marceloleal1957 that's good. For the tinnitus thing go look it up. If you haven't experienced it after two years you probably never will.

[@michael-bell]

Can you tell me, does this guest say if the cold plunge is worth it?

[@jessiejoseph1093]

I hope you all address nerve flossing. Lots of docs do not know about this ancient practice yet it works, you can rehab nerves.

[@Newbootgoofin20]

Love Neil and Chuck is

[@bensengil8635]

I have a question that is not related to this video. If polarized glasses block certain light waves, why don't they heat up? Would appreciate it if you guys could talk about it in the next meeting! Cheers

[@wendykleeb2071]

So many whole herbs seem to have positive effects. Research is needed. Big pharma shouldn't control all research. Let's talk. Cost is a big issue. I really love major medical sites that do address herbs and plant medicinal information. Preparation and dosage is important too.

[@teachoc9482]

Science VS podcast has an excellent episode about cold plunges helping with depression. Seems to actually work for some people!

[@thecommentor4914]

Hey Neil, what do you think about the Karl Nell interview with salt. That guy has more credibility, credentials and obviously way more clearance that you have.

[@IansUToob57]

hey Gary, I had 19 spine procedures after getting rear ended by an 18-wheeler semi. I'm now 3.5" shorter, and they said I'd still be in a wheelchair by 2007. PT became my religion along with yoga, and I'm still running around and probably in better shape at 67 than I was at 47. Let's hear it for having the "battery compartment" line up the back!!! (too funny!) 😂

[@reidloscidem3562]

What really needs to happen is the agency's need to have their own PR and THEY release the information about the study. That way when the public see's some discrepancies, they can have that agency comment on it and then show the people the portal of their studies. I think that would be a good start. And if there is a system like this in place, I do not know anything about it nor is it brought up in medical board meetings. The pandemic was the perfect example between the massive disconnect between the government's agenda, news and science. I know my field in Industrial Hygiene we had a lot of meetings and found that the institution's credibility were being deteriorated because of this. I know it's hard for agency's that are being funded by the government to be honest, but for critical institutions, they should be well insulated from the political spectrum. We're now in 2024 and many people do not trust these institutions at all. It really hurts at time to hear someone in a position of power to disregard a study because of whatever current President is in office. That needs to stop. And in judging by the current climate, it's not going to change any time soon.

[@chrisg8995]

Uggh, Chuck is so exhausting. I know, I suck. Doesn’t change that he’s exhausting.

[@noahdelo]

Question for startalk: because light is photons and photons are in the family of bosons, and bosons are particles, and particles move faster the more they are heated up, is it possible that the speed of light was faster earlier in the life of the universe when it was much hotter? And as the universe continues to expand and cool, could the speed of light decrease?

[@Jazzmaster58]

About the green powders with nutrients vs. eating proper food, lady doctor left out one of the most important aspects of eating food which is, chewing and the chemical advantage.of salivary input in digestion. Whole rice chewing from macrobiotic, that's what people should do before eating whatever else.

[@d0c_5u11y]

23:19 idk if I'd ever call the placebo effect "self-healing". IMO that implies serious bias in her beliefs. I will say that it is more in line with "self-soothing". Placebo effect isn't gonna cause drastic physiological changes but it definitely has the potential to make you "feel" better. I think the lack of precise language when she speaks on the placebo effect gives the idea that the placebo effect makes people "get better" (24:04). I don't know that this is the best approach. Edit: Upon writing this I did some brief research and can say that she has definitely done some dubious studies in her day and she seems to leap to inferences often when speaking on these "alternative medicine" such as acupuncture. Personally, I love that the NCCIH is investigating these practices but take issue with presenting them as fact when this Director could not answer any of the questions on a deeper level than what we have known for 20+ years. But then again, I'm just a PA so don't listen to me if you don't want to.

[@marksandsberry4190]

It seems to me that self-healing is precisely what a placebo is. You believe that the medicine will work, and so it actually does. I remember being blown away when I learned that aspirin only performed 3% better (allowing for its own placebo effect) than a placebo alone in preventing heart attacks; that is, 33% benefit with aspirin versus 30% with a sugar pill. That is self-healing.

[@d0c_5u11y]

@@marksandsberry4190 Placebo doesn't heal cancer of close wounds. Your example doesn't prove placebo rather it disproves low-dose aspirins effectiveness. Your bias has lead you to misinterpret the findings of a study IMO. Also, I have never heard a fellow PA or MD say that aspirin WILL prevent heart attacks. We have actual meds that do that. Aspirin, much like the daily fish oil debacle, is old advice from the 30-40 years ago that has since been thrown out of the zeitgeist thanks to scientific rigor..

[@JohnSmith-fj3uf]

Questions for the guest... any reason when the state gives CEU units to nurses for REIKI classes that the state is not endorsing a religious belief in violation of the constitution? Any things treatments or claims to put in the dustbin of history? Like can we rule out that when a reflexologist rubs the toes of someone with a sinus infection the sinuses heal faster than those who's toes are not rubbed. @d0c_5u115 Good to see medical professional concerned.

[@TurdBoi-tf5lf]

​@@marksandsberry4190 lmao no

[@oldcowbb]

calling alt med "complementary" is already dubious

[@koryharreschou2815]

Got a Gruns guymmy commercial right after they talked the waste of green powders lol

[@GeraldH-ln4dv]

My sister has a "PhD" in "natural medicine" and complains that she isn't allowed to call herself a doctor. She got the degree online, of course. I told her that I could go online and get a PhD in underwater basket weaving and it would be just about as valid as her degree is. We don't talk much anymore.

[@TurdBoi-tf5lf]

Your sister's a quack no offence

[@loniwilliams82]

It's easy enough she can change the label to practitioner. It's sounds like it's best she doesn't talk to you. It sounds pretty toxic. 😒

[@GeraldH-ln4dv]

@@loniwilliams82 What's toxic is the BS homeopathic foists off on people as actual medicine. They aren't tested by proper quality double blind studies. When quality studies are done, they always end up showing that the homeopathic supplements are no better than placebos, such as recent double blind studies of gingko biloba and echinacea, both of which have been proven ineffective but are still touted by "natural medicine" quacks. And the manufacturers are completely unregulated. A recent study of multiple melatonin brands found that the inconsistencies in a single batch ran from zero melatonin in the dose to over 10 times the stated melatonin in the dose. That can certainly be toxic. I have no doubt that the same horrible quality control exists in every supplement. Why? Because they are touted as "medicines" by homeopathic sellers but aren't regulated and tested like real medicine. Toxic? Yes, almost certainly, if you mean the homeopathic snake oil sellers and the snake oil itself.

[@nickstoned8660]

Bruh🤦🏾‍♂️, if getting an actual degree was so easy I wouldn't be wasting my time here in the university. You did nothing wrong by pointing out the obvious. 🤷🏾‍♂️And if she really got into that online stuff while thinking that she would be able to call herself a doctor, then they pretty much scammed her if that is what they promised them at the beginning😂.

[@danneerrr]

Historically people have grossly underestimated the difficulty of underwater basket weaving. It’s not just an art, but a science that I think a little more respect could be shown upon

[@S.I.N.G.H]

What's the name of the movie?

[@SquidandCatAdventures]

I found this doc so interesting and easy to understand. Love this guest.

[@elissajaguar]

I love some humor with my science. Fabulous!!!

[@tinakaminskadickinson3328]

Thanks!

[@CHXFIT95]

I finish every hot shower every morning and night buy flipping my showers to ice color for 30 second to a minute and a half before I get out. It’s to what I believe has reduced my BP from 130/80 to 111/68 and has reduced the inflammation in my body as well, there are also small positive effects such as my skin health always seems to improve.

[@Didymus20X6]

"Chuck, that's a Movie!" TWO movies: Fantastic Voyage and Inner Space.

[@TomCrockett-bl1gp]

Star Talk please do an episode about Jim Hardt’s biocybernaut. My understanding is that his program teaches you what it feels like to be in different states. Alpha,Gamma,Theta of the brain. I know the name biocybernaut sounds funny but people “ other than that Robin guy”business executives say it is life changing. Thanks.

[@willpiggott8725]

Totally irrelevant question but one I’ve just gotta know the answer too. Why when I look at a flashing or blinking light does it seem to stay on longer? If I look away and catch it coming on again the light seems to stay on for and extra second rather than if I was just staring at it. Anyone else get this sometimes? :-)

[@wjrasmussen666]

I use placebo effect for decades. It works.

[@vulcanfeline]

as long as you're not paying hard earned money for it...

[@wjrasmussen666]

@@vulcanfeline Any real medical treatment I get from the VA. While is sucks to get damaged in service, the VA has me covered medically.

[@sbabymoney3204]

How are you using the placebo effect? Can you give a practical example?