How homeopathy works
January 7, 2010I think homeopathy’s nonsense. One very good reason is here. Dawkins also explains it well here. The key point about homeopathy is that it claims to cure like with like but at high dilution. The standard dilution is what is referred to as “30C”, and this means that:
since the least amount of a substance in a solution is one molecule, a 30C solution would have to have at least one molecule of the original substance dissolved in a minimum of 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 molecules of water. This would require a container more than 30,000,000,000 times the size of the Earth.
I found this image on b3ta today and loved it so much I thought I’d host a copy of it here. Take a look.
Yes quite so. From Wiki – 'Homeopaths generally begin with detailed examinations of their patients' histories, including questions regarding their physical, mental and emotional states, their life circumstances and any physical or emotional illnesses.'This in itself can be therapeutic and sets the patient up nicely for the possibility of the placebo effect. Also of course most of us seek help when matters are at their worst so as the body makes itself better we believe that the treatemnt did it. SImilarly most back spasm will resolve in 3-5 days without treatment. If you see a Chiropractor or Osteopath though you will think that their treatment has done the trick.
No, seriously though. It works.
Gnyom Gnoym Gnyom -I love them placebos. My favourite kind are the orange ones from Holland & Barrett. Only £8 / dozen.
Ciaran, you are so homeophobic