Most Supplements, Complementary and Alternative Medicines (SCAMs) are not based on reality but upon myths and fantasy. Individual SCAMs have their own myths, such as the meridians and chi of acupuncture or the subluxations of chiropracty. There are encompassing myths common to all SCAMs: the power of the placebo, the importance of anecdote, the alleged popularity of SCAMs and its harmlessness, among others. This lecture will examine the myths and fantasies common to all SCAMs with examples.
Dr. Mark Crislip is a board certified Infectious Disease physician who has practiced in Portland for over 20 years. He is an associate editor for the Science-Based Medicine blog where he contributes two entries a month. He produces the Quackcast, a podcast review of Supplements, Alternative, and Complementary Medicine (SCAM), and is the winner in 2009, 2010 and 2011 of the People’s Choice for the Best Health Podcast. He has been a speaker at James Randi’s Amazing Meeting and is widely recognized in the skeptical community.