Chapter 5 - Homeopathy Flashcards
3 principles of homeopathy
Like cures like; use natural compounds that cause the same symptoms of the disease; and active compounds must be diluted in alcohol or water so as not to cause harm.
The term for testing a compound on a healthy volunteer in order to see its effects?
Proving
How much active substance do higher potencies have in them?
The greater the dilution, the greater the potencies.
Decimal scale dilution ratio
1:9
Centisimal dilutions ratio
1:99
Symbol for decimal scale dilutions
X or D
Symbol for centisimal dilutions
c
A 30c solution has undergone __ ___ dilutions.
30 centisimal
How many molecules of the original substance does a 30c solution have in it?
Not a single molecule.
What sort of dose-response curve do OM medications follow?
A positive dose-response curve
What sort of dose-response curve do homeopathic remedies follow?
A negative dose-response curve
Is there a demonstrated theory for how homeopathy might work?
No
How do homeopaths say homeopathy might work?
The memory of a substance remains in the diluted solution and is recognized by the body. Or an interaction (quantum entanglement) between the solution and the consultation causes an effect.
What does a typical visit to a homeopath look like?
Consultation lasting 1 hour or longer. Questions, including unusual questions, are asked about symptoms and general health. Then a unique pattern of health and responses is formed for each patient. A single dose is giving and patients asked to follow up.
Meaning of ‘disease’ in homeopathy
A pathologic condition unique to each person.
Classical homeopathy
Individualized
Clinical homeopathy
Use of a single remedy in patients with a conventional diagnosis.
Modern homeopathy
Combinations of several substances are used in remedies.
Does like really cure like?
This is not a common phenomenon in scientific medicine.
Do dilutions really increase the strength of a substance?
This goes against how chemistry and physiology work. The concept is negated by the absence of negative dose-response curves.
Does water have memory?
Chemistry and physics have never shown this.
Are homeopathic treatments effective?
Meta-analyses conclude there is no evidence of efficacy.
What are flaws of many homeopathy trials?
Poor methods, small sample sizes, few series of trials on a single disorder, and publication bias. Trials lack quantitative analysis of treatment contents, so contamination is possible. And trials usually don’t look at different doses.
What kind of dose response curves would be expected if homeopathic cures were acting homeopathically?
Negative dose-response curve.
What is a DIN-HM?
Drug identification number of homeopathic medicine.
How can a company get a DIN-HM for one of its remedies?
By filling out a form that says “this is a long in use homeopathic medicine.”
Where does the government get the information about products applying for DIN-HMs?
From the manufacturers.
How do homeopaths respond to criticisms about a lack of RCTs?
Individualized treatment makes it difficult to get a big enough sample size.
Response to homeopaths claims that they can’t do RCTs?
Most homeopathic remedies are being sold in stores over-the-counter, without a consultation with a homeopath. Such treatments are not individualized so RCTs should be possible.
The homeopathic industry is worth how much?
$3.1 billion
