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Traveling medicine shows and questionable or even harmful "medical remedies" may seem like a thing of the past, but there's plenty of its 21st-century iterations.

While MLM marketers are not promoting tonics of cocaine or opium, they are trying to convince people that essential oils will cure cancer.

Obvious pyramid-scheme nonsense aside, plenty of people on social media for some reason think of themselves as doctors and spread ignorance to whoever will listen. Just don't let all that BS seep into your brain. Instead, try to laugh at their ignorance; it can be quite funny!

Just scroll through the Twitter account Bad Medical Takes. It shares user-submitted screenshots of some of the most ridiculous misconceptions "online health professionals" have to offer. Here are some of them!

General practitioner, medical researcher, and founder of PrimeHealth Clinical Research, Iris Gorfinkel, M.D., told Bored Panda that social media and the Internet are not a one-size-fits-all. "On the one hand, it improves patient education and can improve public health. It brings people together who are in very wide apart places, so it overcomes geographical barriers... It's a tremendous educational tool for patients," Gorfinkel said.

Yes, it promotes awareness and encourages patient engagement, and it can provide quality information. But at the same time, people are searching online for the next big thing. "So what is more likely to be shared?", the doctor asked metaphorically. What is novel, she immediately answered. Or what is unusual.

Gorfinkel also pointed out a study done in 2018, published in Science by three MIT scholars, which found that falsehoods are 70% more likely to be retweeted on Twitter than truth. It also discovered that it took the truth about six times as long as falsehood to reach 1,500 people. This proves that falsehoods are simply alluring.

But even if many of us know not to trust what uncle Bobby is saying about vaccines on his Facebook page (I hope), reading a scientific paper can be really challenging and time-consuming. "I think there are some websites that are fairly trusted," Gorfinkel said. "Medscape, for example, tries to bring information to people in their own language. It's not perfect, but it is available in German, Portuguese, Spanish, and French. Then there's WebMD, MedlinePlusDrugs.com. There's a whole bunch of these websites that are actually quite good."

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For the so-called orphan conditions — diseases that are so rare, there isn't enough resources on them — Gorfinkel suggested Orpha.net.

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bloatednoone avatar
qwerty
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What. The. Actual. F**k. This person needs to get their brain (assuming they have one) out of the 1700s and into the 2000s.

kaching12 avatar
Yort
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That’s really insulting to people of the 1700s, comparing him to them.

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sturmwesen
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

why should any virgin willingly have sex, if they can't be aroused? maybe the point his he can not arouse any woman and whishes there was a reason that is nit him being him?

donnabeach avatar
Donna Beach
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Because you are a virgin until you meet your husband, who is the only one who has the power to turn you on.

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Charlotte A.
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Right. We have a special dial for getting turned "on" or "off" and our husbands only get the access code with the marriage certificate. 🤦‍♀️

juliajuhas avatar
JuJu
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

since women don't seem to be aroused by him, be better search hard for the switch...

kayrose avatar
RoseTheMad
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think the true fact of the matter is that no woman can experience sexual arousal around him...

hjsayen avatar
Bowtechie
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's quite a long way of saying "I've never pleased a woman in my life"

thirdmolar avatar
third molar
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think he is confused between woman and the brand new woman toy he for shipped, to be turned on and boot up once ready for use.

virgoal333 avatar
Purr·maid
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

ɪ ᴊᴜsᴛ ʟᴏᴠᴇ ʜᴏᴡ ᴍᴀʟᴇs ᴋɴᴏᴡ SOOO MUCH ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ғᴇᴍᴀʟᴇ ʙᴏᴅʏ, ʏᴇᴛ ʜᴏᴡ ᴄᴀɴ ᴛʜᴇʏ ʜᴏɴᴇsᴛʟʏ?!!

blugeagua avatar
blugeagua
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Of course he thinks women aren't actually people with our own desires. We're just here for men. 🤮

penstubbs avatar
Apachebathmat
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The Victorians actually believed that a woman never got aroused until her wedding night, and that when that happened it proved she married the right person! Unbelievable but true

terryltobias avatar
Terry Tobias
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's interesting. Do you happen to know what happened if the woman didn't get aroused?

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kristinamyslowski avatar
Kristi Namyslowski
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ok stop covering the names of the idiots. Please tell me someone educated this fool

terryltobias avatar
Terry Tobias
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So...you're saying a woman's body will just 'know' she got married and it flips a switch that allows her to enjoy sex for her husband's sake? That answer "doesn't make any sense whatsoever."

suzclark795 avatar
Suzanne Clark
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The old joke goes something like: If brains were dynamite he couldn't blow his nose.

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Jjjane20
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just wow. Poor us gay women who will never have a husband to turn us on.

donnareedgm78 avatar
Donna Rakowiecki
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow you shouldn't speak. At least till you learn diapers go on you butt and not your head.

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Valley Girl
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think this is part of the explanation his wife gave his as to why it's okay to be in the bed with her trainer.

idrow avatar
Id row
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would pay $100 to punch this person and then shove their face in a book.

baconycakes1337 avatar
Bacony Cakes
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'd pay a million for said book to be highly dense and also have me smack the halves together.

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Rebekah
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

JHC. There's not a typo in the whole damn thing. This is an actual "intellectual" person thinking this.

skyrender avatar
Sky Render
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sometimes I wish there was a minimum intelligence requirement for breathing...

mcathenae avatar
MCathenaE
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Can confirm, my husband flipped my arousal switch on our wedding night. Until then, I just thought he was a man, afterwards my loins ached for him.

master_minds9 avatar
denzoren
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Virgin alter...and I'm not talking about the OP. Also...what?!?!?!!?!!

liverpoolroze avatar
Rose the Cook
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Go back through the time warp, you aren't wanted in this day and age.

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Lex
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm a virgin, and I'm pretty sure I've experienced arousal and attraction before.

aaroncole101 avatar
Andrew Cohen
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Tell me you've never had a girlfriend for more than a month without actually telling me that.

johnfrohlich46 avatar
John Frohlich
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What Planet does that guy come from,or is he on day release from the Funny Farm.

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Robert Robi Z
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wanted to make a comment on this, but my brains just exploded. I am dead.

bcgrote avatar
Brandy Grote
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But the bible says god created Eve to be a partner, a "helpmeet" to Adam. There was no thought of reproduction because they were functionally immortal until they were kicked out of the Garden.

sonmezidil avatar
trix
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How to confess he's never slept with a woman who has desires before.

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Dark Pearl
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Im a virgin and Im very horny nearly every day (obviously not that one time a month, but you get my point).

baconycakes1337 avatar
Bacony Cakes
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

when you roll a nat 0 somehow on intelligence check while romancing

m-chieffo avatar
Marion
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Religiousness. Can obviously make people really dumb.

drummerkramer avatar
adrianacoppage avatar
Bird lover
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You make it sound like anyone wants to be within 100,000 meters of him.

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Cold Contagious
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm shooting Pepsi out of my nose rn from choking on my damn soda over here!

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patricia mccaskill
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

reading these posts.....migraine time! There are people like this in the world? Where? Remind me not to drive through these areas...

blbrightonoswin_1 avatar
Brian Bennett
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

the explanation to this virgin, does not make any sense whatso ever!

quinnnix avatar
Quinn Nix
Community Member
2 years ago (edited)

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

I'm guessing the reply was from a troll. (In case you misunderstand my meaning... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_troll )

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Helen Haley
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

At least it was a polite way to inform you of their stupid. Makes it easier to avoid them.

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If you are still concerned about the validity of a certain piece, you will probably have to inspect it yourself.

What is to stop any doctor or professor from writing an opinion piece? Nothing, but this is where peer reviews come into play. "That's where other doctors and professors who have nothing to gain from what's published, look at the paper and say, 'Yes, this is actually true.' So look for things that are peer-reviewed, look for at least an editorial board. Again, that's a safeguard to prevent any one person's opinion from becoming a fact because peer reviews and editorial boards keep doctors in line in terms of making sure that what is said is accurate," Gorfinkel explained.

The sources that Gorfinkel mentioned earlier, like WebMD, publish some research studies that require huge funding. So looking at the funding source matters too — is there a conflict of interest?

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Of course, when a particular paper was written is important as well because, as Gorfinkel highlighted, what may have been relevant, say for COVID-19, even in 2020 is, for the most part, not relevant at all in 2021.

Generally, when you notice medical information online, it's probably best to approach it with caution. "If there is a promise of a miracle cure, that should ring alarm bells big time," Gorfinkel said. "A lot of complex problems, including depression, anxiety, hair loss, acne; a lot of these problems are actually complicated, and they don't have one single solution. This is especially true when things promise very quick answers, and often at a price."

It's always a good idea to run these ideas by either your family doctor or a pharmacist before investing in them.

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I I
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

really ? this has to be a troll , people are not this dumb are they?:?

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Doctor Gorfinkel also added a very important piece of information: the United States and Canada do not monitor natural products. "Whether or not it's made in trusted countries, understand that they generally will fall under a separate category that does not have to fulfill the requirements of standard drugs."

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This can become a problem because there's really nothing to stop natura-ceuticals and that includes the entire vitamin industry and the mineral industry. "There is no one to police what's in that stuff. And for the most part, there's no one there to pull it off the shelves," Gorfinkel explained.

"Moreover, these products tend to be some of the highest profit margin products available in stores. Often, they're placed right next to the normal pharmacy so that people can 'self-medicate.' But much of that has no evidence base whatsoever."

Because no one's watching, the potential for having these products adulterated with potentially toxic elements is very high. This is true for the probiotics industry as well as the prebiotics industry.

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I I
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

what do i get every year ? are they putting fresh trackers in my arm ? or magnets ?

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"I don't think people realize what's happening," Gorfinkel said. "There was a study done in the United States where they went into Walmart, and pulled off natura-ceuticals just off the shelf, and found that there was no correlation between what was on the label and what was actually in the bottle."

When experts checked probiotics in Toronto (this was the Department of Family Practice at the St. Michael's Hospital), they just took 12 random things off the shelf, gave them to the microbiology lab, and found the same: no correlation between what was promised to be in the bottle and what was actually in the bottle.

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"So if there are promises that sound too good to be true, bottom line, they probably are," Gorfinkel said. And this sadly applies to more than just online medical takes.

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qwerty
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Alright. I never liked PETA, to put it mildly. But I thought that even they would be above this udder bullshit.

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qwerty
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can just imagine this person at the doctor. "Doctor, I have a problem." "Oh, what is it?" "I keep getting my period." "How often does it happen?" "Every month! Can you believe it?" "Ok. So, we're going to refer you to the psychiatric ward."

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Chris Wade
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Was this tweeted in 1860 or something? Cause, boy, have I got news for you, Andrea.

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Helen Haley
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Do incels post everywhere, or is there just an alarming number of them?

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qwerty
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This isn't just a scientific error. It's also a mathematical error.

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Sonya Jersey
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

wait until you find out that you can die from badly infected and untreated teeth

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Eslamala
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Some people should get sterilized as a favor to the rest of the world.

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tiari
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2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well, at least this one is not *completely* wrong. He is just wrong about the amount of water needed for that, there is no risk with your normal everyday amount.

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Monday
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wish the vaccine could be sexually transmitted...would be so much easier to vaccinate more people with a limited supply.

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Anyone-for-tea?
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

WT absolute F? I feel sorry for her daughters having such a hateful, uninformed mother. And poor Taylor Swift, not that I think she would have seen this, but it reminds me of Ellen trying to shame her about her rumoured relationships, and wouldn’t take no for an answer.

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I I
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

yeah , no wonder people wont get the vaccine with these dumb tw@s out there

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mulk
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes, because women have more DNA in common with princesses and unicorns

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earringnut
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's an unpopular opinion because most people have a post dark ages level of education.

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Sofie
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have brown eyes which is a darker colour which is strong like espresso, which means that I'm never ever sick. Well, starting now.

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