Dr Kovacs

Question 1

Define placebo

Answer 1

A medicine or procedure prescribed for the psychological benefit to the patient rather than any physiological effect

Question 2

How is acupuncture thought to work?

Answer 2

Release neurotransmitters including opioids and serotonin
Adenosine release (shown in mice and people)
Trigger point therapy?

Question 3

What is homeopathy?

Answer 3

Principle of like-cures like
Something that causes symptoms in healthy people will cure symptoms in ill people
Treatment is heavily diluted solutions (to the point where no molecules of the original ingredient remain), often on sugar pills
Solutions thought to become more effective (potentised) with increase dilution

Question 4

What is serial dilution 1:100?

Answer 4

C - e.g. 10C = 10^20

Question 5

What is serial dilution 1:10?

Answer 5

X - e.g. 10X = 10^10

Question 6

At what dilution is there likely to be no trace of the original molecule?

Answer 6

Avogadro’s number is ~6x10^23
So if starting dose is 1 molar conc
=12C(=24X) or 10^24

Question 7

What dilution do most common homeopathies use?

Answer 7

30C

Question 8

Are there any contraindications?

Answer 8

Unlikely to cause any sort of allergic reaction at such a low dilution - unlikely after 12C

Question 9

What is aromatherapy?

Answer 9

Essential oils

Question 10

Side effects of aromatherapy?

Answer 10

nausea
headaches
some allergic reactions
essential oils derived from citrus may make the skin more sensitive to UV light, increasing the risk of sunburn
some interact with conventional medicines reducing their efficacy