All posts by Harriet Hall

Harriet Hall, MD also known as The SkepDoc, is a retired family physician who writes about pseudoscience and questionable medical practices. She received her BA and MD from the University of Washington, did her internship in the Air Force (the second female ever to do so),  and was the first female graduate of the Air Force family practice residency at Eglin Air Force Base. During a long career as an Air Force physician, she held various positions from flight surgeon to DBMS (Director of Base Medical Services) and did everything from delivering babies to taking the controls of a B-52. She retired with the rank of Colonel.  In 2008 she published her memoirs, Women Aren't Supposed to Fly.

Motivation to Exercise in Mice

A new study in mice shows a connection between gut microbiome and willingness to exercise. Could this discovery lead to improved motivation to exercise in humans? Possibly, but we don't yet know if humans share the same pathway.

/ January 10, 2023

Quack Quack

Joe Schwarcz's new book Quack Quack is an informative and entertaining look at quackery and pseudoscience past and present. A delightful read.

/ January 3, 2023

Should You Take Vitamin D Supplements?

Recent research found that supplemental vitamin D doesn't prevent fractures or have any effect on the diseases it has been claimed to help, and blood tests for vitamin D are useless.

/ December 27, 2022

Treating Nightmares with a Smart Watch

Preliminary evidence suggests a watch may help people with severe nightmares. Of course, more research is needed.

/ December 20, 2022

Is Meat Poison? Is Fat the Antidote?

Is a diet comprised solely of meat good for you? I think you know the answer.

/ December 13, 2022

Balm of  Gilead

Balm of Gilead was mentioned in the Bible, but we don't know what was in it. It is supposed to relieve pain, but we don't know if it is effective; there are no controlled studies.

/ December 6, 2022

GOLO for Weight Loss

There are lots of testimonials from people who say they lost weight with GOLO, but its effectiveness is not supported by any scientific evidence.

/ November 29, 2022

In Through the Nose, Out Through the Mouth

The advice to breathe "in through the nose, out through the mouth" appears to be based on superstition rather than science. Nose breathing is preferable.

/ November 22, 2022

Medicare and Alternative Medicine

Medicare is paying for nonsense.

/ November 15, 2022

Geriatric Preventive Medicine Appointments Covered by Medicare

Medicare offers free preventive medicine visits for those over 65: the Welcome to Medicare visit and the Annual Wellness Visit. Increased awareness of these benefits would improve health care, save taxpayer money, and reduce inequities of preventive medicine care for underserved populations.

/ November 8, 2022