Category: Neuroscience/Mental Health

Genetic Testing for Selection of Psychotropic Medications

GeneSight is a blood test to determine which neuropsychiatric medications are indicated for an individual based on genetic analysis. The test is expensive and not likely to be helpful for most patients.

/ August 3, 2021

Mayim Bialik’s Neuriva Commercials Make Questionable Claims

Mayim Bialik is a neuroscientist. In her TV commercials for Neuriva Plus she asserts that it is backed by strong science. I don't think so.

/ July 6, 2021

Irreversible Damage to the Trans Community: A Critical Review of Abigail Shrier’s Irreversible Damage (Part One)

Irreversible Damage, a controversial 2020 book by Abigail Shrier, has enjoyed renewed attention in the last several weeks. Shrier appeals to her audience’s emotions by voicing their deepest fears to create uproar against an already marginalized community. The claims presented do not meet scientific rigor, yet have been praised and upheld by many, effectively pushing back against equal rights for gender minorities,...

/ July 4, 2021

Long COVID

Medical experts are just starting to bring long COVID into focus, but there is still much we don't know.

/ April 28, 2021

Access Consciousness: A New Version of Phrenology?

Phrenology assigned meanings to bumps on the skull. Access Consciousness claims to have located 32 points on the head that store thoughts, emotions, and memories. Is this a new version of phrenology?

/ March 30, 2021

Who Is Amy B. Scher?

Amy B. Scher is a proponent of energy medicine and things like astrology and homeopathy. She claims to be a "science geek," but how could anyone who understands science think that tapping on the breastbone will fix the thymus?

/ March 23, 2021

Psychic Mediums and Grieving Children

Self-proclaimed psychic mediums find a new way to exploit vulnerable children.

/ February 3, 2021

Visual Stress

The Opticalm Clinic claims to diagnose and treat visual stress with colored lenses and other aids. Visual stress is a poorly defined, questionable condition and Opticalm's claims are not backed by scientific evidence.

/ August 11, 2020
Don't shoot him. He's just relaying a message.

Shooting the Messenger: Activists Persecute Scientists Whose Findings They Don’t Like

Alice Dreger's book recounts many instances of shooting the messenger, when scientists were persecuted for research findings that activists found objectionable. Social justice matters, but it should rely on science and reality, not ideology.

/ July 28, 2020

Dr. Seeds’ Chill Pills

Dr. Seeds sells a Chill Pill to treat stress and anxiety. There's no scientific evidence.

/ June 23, 2020