Too Good to Be True: The Most Dangerous Alternative Health Trends That People Actually Believed
The Netflix series Apple Cider Vinegar has sparked a much-needed conversation around alternative health trends and the dangers of scammers.
But while ACV’s lead character, Belle Gibson, is inspired by an Australian influencer who claimed to have cured her terminal brain cancer through alternative therapies and nutrition, the show barely scratches the surface when it comes to wild health claims that have captivated—and misled—millions.
From drinking urine to surviving on sunlight, pseudoscience has a long history of promising miracles while delivering misery. So let’s dive into 5 of the most outrageous health grifts and the real consequences of following them.
1. Urine Therapy
Yes, people actually drink their own urine. Proponents claim it cures everything from acne to cancer, but doctors warn it’s a one-way ticket to kidney damage and infections.
In 2020, dozens of Hindu activists in India made headlines for claiming they cured their COVID-19 symptoms by drinking their own urine. Despite their claims, medical experts quickly debunked the idea, stating that urine contains waste products like urea and toxins that can harm the body when re-ingested.
2. Breatharianism
Some believe humans can survive on sunlight and air alone. Spoiler: they can’t. Multiple deaths have been linked to this dangerous practice.
In the late nineties, the body of a woman in Scotland was found by a tourist at Loch Cam, Sutherland. It turned out the woman had been inspired by the teachings of Jasmuheen, an Australian formerly known as Ellen Greve, who claims to have lived on “liquid air” since 1993, practicing an extreme fasting regime developed by Tibetan monks.
And breatharianism is by no means a thing of the past. The 2023 movie Club Zero is set at a British boarding school where Wasikowska’s nutrition teacher pushes a gospel of mindful abstinence, transforming her students into a breatharianism cult. It goes to show that the idea of abstinence taken too far, is still very much a part of the current zeitgeist.
3. Miracle Mineral Solution (MMS)
Marketed as a cure for autism, cancer, and COVID-19, MMS is actually industrial bleach. Drinking it can cause severe vomiting, diarrhea, and even organ failure.
In 2019, the FDA issued a warning against MMS after multiple reports of hospitalizations. One case involved a man who drank MMS to treat his COVID-19 symptoms and ended up in the ICU with life-threatening complications.
4. Ear Candling
If sticking a lit candle in your ear to “remove toxins” sounds like a bad idea—that’s because it is.
In 2022, a woman in the UK suffered second-degree burns after an ear candling session went wrong. The procedure, which involves placing a hollow candle in the ear and lighting it, is supposed to create suction and remove earwax. Instead, it left her with permanent damage.
And in 2019, BBC presenter and model Claudia Scott came under fire for endorsing “ear candling,” a practice that medical professionals warn is hazardous.
In an episode of her Claudia Tries series, the 27-year-old model demonstrated ear candling as a way to remove wax. The method involves inserting the tapered end of a hollow candle into the ear and lighting the opposite end, with the belief that the resulting heat creates pressure to draw out earwax.
However, doctors caution that this technique poses serious risks, including burns to the ear canal, eardrum perforation, blockages, and infections.
5. Colon Cleanses
Colon cleanses promise to “detox” your body by flushing out toxins, but doctors warn they can do more harm than good. Risks include dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and even perforated bowels.
According to this BuzzFeed article, one woman ended up in the emergency room after a colon cleanse caused severe cramping and dehydration. Doctors found that the procedure had disrupted her gut microbiome, leading to long-term digestive issues.
Fake claims, real consequences
Following pseudoscience isn’t just harmless fun—it can lead to severe health complications, financial exploitation, and even death. As tempting as quick fixes may be, always consult a healthcare professional before jumping on the latest wellness bandwagon.
