Chapter 5 - Homeopathy

Question 1

3 principles of homeopathy

Answer 1

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.

Question 2

The term for testing a compound on a healthy volunteer in order to see its effects?

Answer 2

Proving

Question 3

How much active substance do higher potencies have in them?

Answer 3

The greater the dilution, the greater the potencies.

Question 4

Decimal scale dilution ratio

Answer 4

1:9

Question 5

Centisimal dilutions ratio

Answer 5

1:99

Question 6

Symbol for decimal scale dilutions

Answer 6

X or D

Question 7

Symbol for centisimal dilutions

Answer 7

c

Question 8

A 30c solution has undergone __ ___ dilutions.

Answer 8

30 centisimal

Question 9

How many molecules of the original substance does a 30c solution have in it?

Answer 9

Not a single molecule.

Question 10

What sort of dose-response curve do OM medications follow?

Answer 10

A positive dose-response curve

Question 11

What sort of dose-response curve do homeopathic remedies follow?

Answer 11

A negative dose-response curve

Question 12

Is there a demonstrated theory for how homeopathy might work?

Answer 12

No

Question 13

How do homeopaths say homeopathy might work?

Answer 13

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.

Question 14

What does a typical visit to a homeopath look like?

Answer 14

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.

Question 15

Meaning of ‘disease’ in homeopathy

Answer 15

A pathologic condition unique to each person.

Question 16

Classical homeopathy

Answer 16

Individualized

Question 17

Clinical homeopathy

Answer 17

Use of a single remedy in patients with a conventional diagnosis.

Question 18

Modern homeopathy

Answer 18

Combinations of several substances are used in remedies.

Question 19

Does like really cure like?

Answer 19

This is not a common phenomenon in scientific medicine.

Question 20

Do dilutions really increase the strength of a substance?

Answer 20

This goes against how chemistry and physiology work. The concept is negated by the absence of negative dose-response curves.

Question 21

Does water have memory?

Answer 21

Chemistry and physics have never shown this.

Question 22

Are homeopathic treatments effective?

Answer 22

Meta-analyses conclude there is no evidence of efficacy.

Question 23

What are flaws of many homeopathy trials?

Answer 23

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.

Question 24

What kind of dose response curves would be expected if homeopathic cures were acting homeopathically?

Answer 24

Negative dose-response curve.

Question 25

What is a DIN-HM?

Answer 25

Drug identification number of homeopathic medicine.

Question 26

How can a company get a DIN-HM for one of its remedies?

Answer 26

By filling out a form that says “this is a long in use homeopathic medicine.”

Question 27

Where does the government get the information about products applying for DIN-HMs?

Answer 27

From the manufacturers.

Question 28

How do homeopaths respond to criticisms about a lack of RCTs?

Answer 28

Individualized treatment makes it difficult to get a big enough sample size.

Question 29

Response to homeopaths claims that they can’t do RCTs?

Answer 29

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.

Question 30

The homeopathic industry is worth how much?

Answer 30

$3.1 billion