NationStates Jolt Archive

OK, I'm bored so I'm posting random questions that have little to do with politics and current events. Here's my question. Do you beleive in alternative medicine? If so, what kinds?

I think homeopathy is a load of steaming horseshit. Same for Reiki and theraputic touch. On the other hand, herbal medicine has proven effective in some illnesses. I use Ma Huang for breathing problems.

OK, I'm bored so I'm posting random questions that have little to do with politics and current events. Here's my question. Do you beleive in alternative medicine? If so, what kinds?

I think homeopathy is a load of steaming horseshit. Same for Reiki and theraputic touch. On the other hand, herbal medicine has proven effective in some illnesses. I use Ma Huang for breathing problems.

I'm a firm believer in "preventative medicine". My whole lifestyle is my medicine. Although I am a strong supporter of both Herbology and Naturalpathy and various Holistic methods. There is solid science to back these up. As for the others, since I do not really know enough about them, I just cannot say.

I don't know very much about alternative medicine.

I have heard there is evidence to back up acupuncture, but I'm not familiar with sources and literature to substantiate that.

I also know that you can potentially have tremendous effects upon your own body with your mind, if you work at it (such as stopping pain, involuntary muscle spasms, and so on). I also think that prayer/meditation may accelerate healing, but that's personal experience speaking.

psychosemantic medicines for me thanks

On the other hand, herbal medicine has proven effective in some illnesses.

I agree - when I was in Montreal, we went into Chinatown. Our group leader (who is half-Chinese) showed us a very interesting Chinese herbal medicine store.

i would only use alternative medicine for stuff that doesnt matter much

for example i would never use herbs to try to cure cancer

unless the doctors had utterly given up on me and there was no downside to giving it a try

if its something that isnt too serious and where medical science either has no treatment or the treatments have an unacceptable level of side effects AND the alternative isnt likely to hurt me, i might give it a try.

i would only use alternative medicine for stuff that doesnt matter much

for example i would never use herbs to try to cure cancer

unless the doctors had utterly given up on me and there was no downside to giving it a try

if its something that isnt too serious and where medical science either has no treatment or the treatments have an unacceptable level of side effects AND the alternative isnt likely to hurt me, i might give it a try.
True, scientific medicine is far superior to other ways, but remember that many of the cancer medicines out there are made from plants. Mayapple and yew come to mind.

for example i would never use herbs to try to cure cancer


european studies have shown that marijuana can achually shrink certain types of cencerous growths, and in some cases even destroy them compleatly

theraputic touch.
When I was 10 I had a skin disease. I don't know the English name for it. But it's called Gürtelrose in German. I was pumped full with medication. And it didn't work. Then I went to a man that claimed he could cure by touch. And that finally did work. After 2 sessons I could ignore the itchiness and after 6 I was cured. He didn't even want money for it.

When I was 10 I had a skin disease. I don't know the English name for it. But it's called Gürtelrose in German. I was pumped full with medication. And it didn't work. Then I went to a man that claimed he could cure by touch. And that finally did work. After 2 sessons I could ignore the itchiness and after 6 I was cured. He didn't even want money for it.
Anecdotal evidence isn't acceptable in science. You may have had a psychosomatic condition, something in your environment may have changed and facilitated your recovery, almost anything could have happened. When put to the test in double blind experiments theraputic touch fails miserably.

----"european studies have shown that marijuana can achually shrink certain types of cencerous growths, and in some cases even destroy them compleatly"

This I have not heard of, but does not suprise me. I do know that medi-Juana is helpful with asthma patients because of a natural bronchio-diolator (spelling) But you would need to eat it and not smoke it form it in butter or another edible form to not be self defeating. I also know it helps with people that have no appetite and nausia due to side effects of other prescriptions or treatments (aids meds,chemo)or just can not become hungry. Also it helps as a sleep aid and headache reliever,certain calicified joint and other pains. I have heard it helps with certain anxiety's, am I missing anything?

The problem with marijuana really is the stigma (same stigma alcohol recieved during prohibition) people think that the only ones that could possibly use such as a medicine must be hippy's or some other person that most likely is using it for non medical purposes just to get high. This is not true since I do know an old lady with MS along with tv show host Montel Williams that uses it succesfully,and many old men that are medi-jauna patients, along with many disabled vets because the VA refuses to take notice of any positives it can provide.

The major problem is people exploit the positives and negatives it can provide for thier own agenda's. I have beliefs Similar to what the original poster said, that medcines that work should not be politicised in any shape or form. What the government is doing to make this whole issue hurt themselves is allow the patients to grow thier own, they should regulate it like any other prescription and allow them to pick it up at the pharmacy, along with make a little revenue to make it a self supporting system . That way you don't get the old lady that knows nothing about how to grow it and does not want to talk about it to any friends in fear of being judged as a stoner. Along with the quality control issue that unless they are able to find a caregiver they will have a non effective useless medicine.

Anecdotal evidence isn't acceptable in science.
Nothing is acceptable in science as long as they can't understand it.
But that doesn't make it a "steaming pile of horse shit".

Nothing is acceptable in science as long as they can't understand it.
But that doesn't make it a "steaming pile of horse shit".

LOL!

I don't think all scientists are THIS closedminded, but some sure are. I think some of them forget just how little we REALLY know. It's noble to keep trying to learn, but really ridiculous when people start to think they can or have learned everything.

Nothing is acceptable in science as long as they can't understand it.
But that doesn't make it a "steaming pile of horse shit".
Following the scientific method is acceptable. If it works in a double blind experiment it works. If the results can't be duplicated, something else was going on

Following the scientific method is acceptable. If it works in a double blind experiment it works. If the results can't be duplicated, something else was going on
Funny but I say some vent practicing homeopathy with a high degree of success on horses. I’m not a great believer my self but how does a horse know the drops on it’s salt lick are supposed to cure it. So I suppose the evidence may be in that steaming pile of horse sh*t that was spoken about.
The phrase alternative is interesting, as would modern medicine be considered alternative to an Amazonian witch doctor using antibiotics unknown to modern science?

for me, western medicine IS alternative medicine. hahahahahahahahaha. :D

My sister smoked like a chimney for 10 years & tried nicotine gum,patches,Hypnotherapy,etc...nothing worked.She then tried acupuncture.That was over 5 years ago.She hasn't smoked since.