Medical Myths, Lies, and Half-Truths: What We Think We Know May Be Hurting Us

by Steven Novella

True or Eight glasses of water a day are mandatory for staying hydrated. Vitamin C protects you from catching a cold. Natural foods are always better for you.

What do these nuggets of so-called medical wisdom have in common? They're not true. They're myths, half-truths, and misconceptions - pieces of information so familiar we take them for granted without truly considering the scientific truth behind them.

In today's information age, such medical myths are all around us. And using them to make decisions about your own health can be harmful. Even deadly. That's why it's critical to understand the accuracy of medical information and discover the truth about everyday health and well-being.

That's the core of this important series of 24 eye-opening lectures from an acclaimed neurologist, educator, and science broadcaster. Dr. Novella will give you evidence-based guidelines for good health, enhance your ability to be better informed about common medical myths, and strengthen your skills at assessing medical information and advice.

An essential aid for any home, the lecture series is divided into three sections that focus on specific aspects of health. "You Are What You Eat and Drink": Get pointed looks at proper hydration, the routine use of multivitamins, natural foods and probiotics, antioxidants, and more. "Fighting Diseases": Sort out truth from fiction regarding vaccines, the supposed link between vaccination and autism, chronic diseases, and other subjects. "Exploring the Alternatives": Investigate the claims behind herbal medicines, homeopathy, acupuncture, and other alternatives that aren't as worthwhile as they claim to be.

Genres: Nonfiction, Science, Health, Audiobook, Medicine, Medical, Biology

13 pages, Audible Audio

Published July 8, 2013

Reviews

[Petra X · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are sheep. If we hear something, then we read it, then it is discussed on tv, online, in print, we accept it, the very repetition of it means it passes into truth. This is how conspiracy theorists work. Every reference to the same fact counts as a different one to them. Now I see that we are kind of programmed for it.

The 8 glasses of water a day was invented in the Eighties by Nestle to sell their water, previously there hadn't been a market for bottled water (outside of restaurants). It has to be water. Tea, soup, tomatoes, none of them counted. It had to be plain water. Patently 8 glasses are unnecessary since a great deal of the world is unable to get that much clean water and still they manage to live, some of them to a great age, but this is never questioned. People will tell you, they feel much better getting 8 glasses, doctors prescribe it too. They might feel better but whether it is hydration, placebo, or the glow of 'doing the right thing' doesn't seem to have been tested. See Bottlemania: How Water Went on Sale and Why We Bought It

This book shatters so many other sacred cows as well, acupuncture works, sugar and hyperactivity, detox, homeopathy and more. I know people who will say, yes these are all myths except this one, and "I know this one works because....". It's like religion. Everyone thinks their own religion and definition of God is correct and everyone else's is obviously fake, rubbish and just plain wrong (but we don't say so out loud because we are in the era now disappearing rapidly of 'tolerance'. It's also like religion in that all these myths require faith and faith doesn't require facts, repetition by trusted sources (like Gwyneth Paltrow perhaps) is enough proof.
____________________

Notes on Reading
I didn't know the figure for herd immunity, the author said it is 90% of the population immune or vaccinated. A disease would be very unlikely to find the 10% susceptible often enough to survive and pass itself on.

Interesting book. It's on to acupuncture, hypnosis and that magical-thinking treatment, homeopathy.

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

An extremely interesting and comprehensive set of lectures explaining and dispelling common medical myths, lies, and misconceptions. I am hard-pressed to come up with a health belief that wasn’t covered somewhere in these lectures. Each hour-long disc examines familiar supposed truths, exaggerated claims, and outright lies; Dr. Novella refutes the claims with biological, physiological, and psychological explanations.

All of the principal topics are covered including hypnosis, comas, vitamins, vaccinations, antibiotics, herbalism, and homeopathy. Lesser but still disputatious topics such as plastic vs. wood cutting boards and whether chicken soup is good for a cold are also touched on. There is a lot of knowledge to be gained on all sorts of health topics, and Dr. Novella aptly addresses common questions and ideas regarding various medical and health beliefs. You can’t rely on folklore, anecdotal evidence, confirmation bias, or the media to provide the truth, pop culture most often gets it wrong! He encourages each listener to challenge all ideas and seek out evidence to support claims.

I found that Dr. Novella reinforces all the positive health instructions that I’ve all heard over the years such as finish all your medication and wash your hands frequently to prevent the spread of infection, but also presents information that allows me to question and challenge my own beliefs and experiences. He may tell me that the home remedies for hiccups are unproven, but they sure seem to work for me!

In spite of the myriad of health information marketed towards us and persuading us here or there, the bottom line for good health is as follows:

Eat fruit and vegetables every day
Get regular exercise (20-30 minutes/ 3 days a week)
Don’t smoke
Don’t drink alcoholic beverages excessively (no more than 1-2 drinks per day)

These four basic guidelines are proven to have a huge effect on health and following them may prolong your life by 12 years, while other things like superfoods and vitamins may only provide a tiny benefit to your health.

Worth the listen as it will confirm some of what you already know, challenge some of what you thought you knew, and teach you something new. 4.5 stars

[H (trying to keep up with GR friends) Balikov · Rating 5 out of 5]

The sub-title of this 24 lecture course is: “What We Think We Know May Be Hurting Us”
I would add to that: Most of us have wasted money on things that add no value to our health and well-being.
Novella is a good lecturer and he has structured a course that takes us into many areas – some are sure to be ones that are at the top of your list.

LECTURE 1
Medical Knowledge versus Misinformation ........................................
LECTURE 2
Myths about Water and Hydration .....................................................
LECTURE 3
Vitamin and Nutrition Myths .............................................................
LECTURE 4
Dieting—Separating Myths from Facts ............................................
LECTURE 5
The Fallacy That Natural Is Always Better .......................................
LECTURE 6
Probiotics and Our Bacterial Friends ................................................
LECTURE 7
Sugar and Hyperactivity ..................................................................
LECTURE 8
Antioxidants—Hype versus Reality .................................................
LECTURE 9
The Common Cold ..........................................................................
LECTURE 10
Vaccination Benefits—How Well Vaccines Work .............................
LECTURE 11
Vaccination Risks—Real and Imagined ...........................................
LECTURE 12
Antibiotics, Germs, and Hygiene .....................................................
LECTURE 13
Vague Symptoms and Fuzzy Diagnoses .........................................
LECTURE 14
Herbalism and Herbal Medicines .....................................................
LECTURE 15
Homeopathy—One Giant Myth .......................................................
LECTURE 16
Facts about Toxins and Myths about Detox .....................................
LECTURE 17
Myths about Acupuncture’s Past and Benefits ................................
LECTURE 18
Myths about Magnets, Microwaves, Cell Phones ............................
LECTURE 19
All about Hypnosis ...........................................................................
LECTURE 20
Myths about Coma and Consciousness ..........................................
LECTURE 21
What Placebos Can and Cannot Do ................................................
LECTURE 22
Myths about Pregnancy ...................................................................
LECTURE 23
Medical Myths from around the World .............................................
LECTURE 24
Roundup—Decluttering Our Mental Closet

I learned a lot and unlearned a lot. What I learned about “supplements” alone was worth the price of the course.

[Wahbi Ben Salha · Rating 1 out of 5]

An attractive title but the content was really disappointing ! the author expressed his opinions about many medical topics and practises and criticize them without mentioning any credible scientific reference.The lectures about nutrition and diet were the worst part. the author just repeated some false ideas from ancient textbooks.the other lectures are acceptable but the lack of references is still the major inconvenience.

[Cav · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was a mixed bag for me. I have followed Professor Steven Novella for years through his work in the skeptic community, and his podcast: The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe.
There is quite a lot of decent information presented here, which is sure to be very valuable for those not already somewhat scientifically literate. He speaks with clarity on many popular topics; homeopathy, vaccines, etc. Novella scores some good points with his effort here.
He debunks many long-standing medical myths; some relatively benign, and others that are actively contributing to human harm.
However, I found his delivery to be a bit dry and lacking an engaging format, and most of the lectures a bit mundane...
I didn't really like his teaching style, either.
Although a lot of the information presented was good, there are a few inaccuracies presented as fact in this course. He can be forgiven on some of these, as the course was produced in 2010, and new information has become available since then.
It took me quite a while to go through this one, as I only listened to one or two lectures a week, so I am pulling most of this from memory:
* Novella says that there is no benefit to fasting. Dr. Rhonda Patrick has done a lot of research in this area.
* He also talks about exercise being not very effective at weight loss. His rationale fails to take a few things into account: When you exercise, it's not just the calories burned during that exercise that contributes to weight loss. There are also the calories used in the process of repairing the micro-tears to the muscle tissue caused by that exercise after the fact. Repairing muscle requires energy.
Also, lean body mass is more of a metabolic load than fat mass. Exercising can increase the amount of lean body mass a person has. That lean mass will consume energy, even at rest. The more of it you have (all things equal), the more calories your body will burn.
* He advises people to not stand close to a microwave while it's operating because it could be dangerous, but then tells them that microwave radiation is non-ionizing. If it's non-ionizing, why would you worry about standing close to the microwave?
* He discourages the use of probiotics. Probiotics have helped many people with IBS, especially if combined with high-fibre prebiotics. They have great positive potential, with virtually zero downside, other than paying for them.
* Novella also mentions in a later lecture that the HIV virus latches onto a host cell, and then "injects it's DNA..." HIV is an RNA retrovirus, not a DNA virus. Could be a gaffe, but he should know better.

Overall, this was still a decent course that I would recommend to anyone interested.
3 stars.

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best Great Courses I've listened to. I've heard most of these myths and believed quite a few of them, until now. Recommended for everyone. Very professional, grounded, helpful, applicable and relevant. Brought up some heated family discussions :)

1 Medical Knowledge versus Misinformation
2 Myths about Water and Hydration
3 Vitamin and Nutrition Myths
4 Dieting—Separating Myths from Facts
5 The Fallacy That Natural Is Always Better
6 Probiotics and Our Bacterial Friends
7 Sugar and Hyperactivity
8 Antioxidants—Hype versus Reality
9 The Common Cold
10 Vaccination Benefits—How Well Vaccines Work
11 Vaccination Risks—Real and Imagined
12 Antibiotics, Germs, and Hygiene
13 Vague Symptoms and Fuzzy Diagnoses
14 Herbalism and Herbal Medicines
15 Homeopathy—One Giant Myth
16 Facts about Toxins and Myths about Detox
17 Myths about Acupuncture's Past and Benefits
18 Myths about Magnets, Microwaves, Cell Phones
19 All about Hypnosis
20 Myths about Coma and Consciousness
21 What Placebos Can and Cannot Do
22 Myths about Pregnancy
23 Medical Myths from around the World
24 Roundup—Decluttering Our Mental Closet?

[Teo · Rating 4 out of 5]

2015.11.21–2015.12.13

Contents

Novella S (2010) (24 x 00:31) Medical Myths, Lies, and Half-Truths - What We Think We Know May Be Hurting Us

01. Medical Knowledge versus Misinformation
02. Myths about Water and Hydration
03. Vitamin and Nutrition Myths
04. Dieting—Separating Myths from Facts
05. The Fallacy That Natural Is Always Better
06. Probiotics and Our Bacterial Friends
07. Sugar and Hyperactivity
08. Antioxidants—Hype versus Reality
09. The Common Cold
10. Vaccination Benefits—How Well Vaccines Work
11. Vaccination Risks—Real and Imagined
12. Antibiotics, Germs, and Hygiene
13. Vague Symptoms and Fuzzy Diagnoses
14. Herbalism and Herbal Medicines
15. Homeopathy—One Giant Myth
16. Facts about Toxins and Myths about Detox
17. Myths about Acupuncture's Past and Benefits
18. Myths about Magnets, Microwaves, Cell Phones
19. All about Hypnosis
20. Myths about Coma and Consciousness
21. What Placebos Can and Cannot Do
22. Myths about Pregnancy
23. Medical Myths from around the World
24. Roundup—Decluttering Our Mental Closet

[Lis Carey · Rating 5 out of 5]

We live in a sea of freely available information, easily accessed on the internet, and this can be a very good thing, especially with medical information.

Or it can be a bad things, sometimes, especially with medical information.

Much of what we think we know is wrong, or half-true, or even, sometimes, outright lies and fraud. One excellent example of the last is the anti-vaccine movement. It started in its current form in 1998 with the publication in The Lancet of Andrew Wakefield's paper claiming to find a link between the MMR vaccine and autism. What Wakefield didn't disclose was that he had his own vaccine to promote, was getting paid by lawyers who wanted to bring lawsuits against the vaccine makers, or that he had, in fact, had to fake his results when he didn't get the results he wanted.

His paper was originally well-received, but once it was published, other researchers conducted the same research using the methodology he described, and could not reproduce his results. No one has ever been able to reproduce his results, because no, vaccines, whether MMR or others, don't cause autism. The link just doesn't exist. Wakefield lost his license to practice medicine in the UK, The Lancet officially withdrew that paper, something it has never done before in its history, and Wakefield still makes gobs of money promoting his anti-vaccine movement to the gullible and the vulnerable.

That's the example that ignites a burning rage in me, but it's just one small part of this audiobook. Many of the examples are honest misunderstandings (placebo effect really is all in your mind, with no real physiological effect), or have a basis in fact but are misapplied (honey really can be a good topical antibiotic, but shouldn't be used that way internally, that is, it shouldn't be used internally as an antibiotic, and yes, this means pregnant women should probably avoid it till the baby's born).

A persistent myth is about the supposed benefits of "natural" foods and herbal medications. Natural doesn't mean safe. Potatoes contain cyanide, and are perfectly safe as long as you only eat the potato, not other parts of the plant, they aren't green, they aren't spoiled, and you cut away the "eyes," or sprouts. This is why it took so long to figure out that mature, properly cooked potatoes are not only safe to eat, but quite nutritious. Almonds contain arsenic. There's a reason that people eat sweet almonds rather than bitter almonds, and it's not just because we tend to like sweet better than bitter. Sweet almonds contain a tiny amount of arsenic and are generally quite safe if you don't do something really crazy. Bitter almonds contain 42 times as much arsenic as sweet almonds, and are quite dangerous. That's why they were the source of the poison in so many mystery novels from the late 19th and first half of the 20th century.

Herbal medications: If it has any real pharmacological effect, it can do harm, too. And then there's the small matter of dosage, which can vary wildly between brands and even within the same brand, with no pesky FDA regulation to protect you. St. John's wort is widely touted for depression,but its measured effectiveness isn't very great. And it was being strongly promoted to AIDS patients for a while, who quite naturally can have real problems with depression and may be understandably reluctant to take more "drugs." Except St. John's wort, which may have a small effect on their depression, also interferes with the drugs that actually treat their AIDS. Oops.

Remember that herbal medicines are drugs just as much as the stuff you get from the pharmacist. And if it has any real effect, it can have bad effects, too. It can also have drug interactions as well, and if your doctor and your pharmacist don't know you're using them, they can't take them into account in planning and managing your care.

Other things may have some of the effects claimed for them, but the evidence just isn't there yet. They absolutely merit more study, but if your doctor isn't prescribing it, it's more likely because she's not persuaded by the so far minimal evidence than because she's part of a grand Big Pharma conspiracy.

Highly recommended. Steven Novella is a lot more fun to listen to talking about this than I am writing about his book. You'll learn a lot, too.

Enjoy.

I bought this audiobook.

[Larry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish every person were required to read this! The author tackles myths that plague the health and well-being of not only individuals but society as a whole. Very, very informative.

[Sandie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A DVD/book combination, 30 minute lectures. This was certainly accessible for the average Joe, although on a few occasions I found information like molecular structures beyond what was needed to understand the presented myth. Even though the copyright date is 2010, the material is basic enough to still be true today even though the types of myths covered in 2020 would most likely be different. A worthwhile “read”.

[Jared Blum · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good brief overview of things that are wrong, but the interested reader will need to seek additional sources to verify his statements. You have to take his word as an authority. That is actually nice, because so many medical tracts get bogged down in citations and discussions of the literature. It would be nice to have an update to the vaccine section post-COVID.

[Sian Bradshaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fascinating book. It would be easy to simply say 'see all this stuff you think, it's all rubbish'. But the book doesn't. It takes a wide variety of subjects and examines the scientific basis for the claims and readily admits where there may be a kernel of truth. The majority of subjects covered I already had suspicion about but was surprised by probiotics being included as not helpful. Just goes to show you should always look for the scientific evidence. It's a long book but for the detail it goes into, it's worth it.

[Lena · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found a lot of interesting books when I discovered all the free audio books from The great courses on Audible! This was one of them.

As a former RN I knew some of what Steven Novella was talking about but some was news.

So many interesting things! Sometimes a bit too detailed. I didn't know anything about homeopathy. After listening to the book I think it's crazy they are allowed to sell homeopathic "drugs"! Basically there is no active ingredient. "Water has memory" so a drop in a lake is strong enough...

This is a book everyone should listen to!

[Lindstromsteph Lindstrom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good information from a scientific perspective for the normal healthy adult with no chronic disease. Because of my chronic health issues, I’m likely to look through a medical lens as well, but I found myself disagreeing on vitamins, supplements, and some of his arrogance. The subjects were very interesting, including the common cold, hydration, and vaccinations.

[Patrick Twitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extensively researched and presented by an expert in the medical field. Debunks common myths that are just passed along through time, and ones we never think to question.

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very thought-provoking and dedicated to breaking all of our common misconceptions!

[Lorena Romero · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesante, más dirigido a público en general que a personal de salud; pero igual bueno recordar conceptos y conocer mitos disparatados.

[Laurie Siblock · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this on audio while driving to and from work, and it was fascinating and full of myth-busting information that in some ways I didn't want to hear. I like to believe that eating organic makes a difference, that cleansing and fasting are ways to boost health. I've found it to be so for me so will continue to do it. Regardless of whether it is a placebo effect or not, I'll take it!

The lecturer, Steven Novella, covers a lot of topics and based his information on meta-studies analysis, so it's hard to argue with that science, nor would I want to try. Still, I'll continue to use aromatherapy and occasionally healing stones, not because I believe they have intrinsic healing properties - he busted that wide open - but because the act of doing something sets an intention that moves me towards healing.

The golden nugget that I got out of this book is that, as we've always known, good health is ultimately a product of eating a healthy balance of fruits, vegetables, nuts and grains, and exercising your body regularly, not smoking or exposing yourself to noxious substances and taking care of your mental health through positive relationships and training of the monkey mind to control rampant thoughts.

[Feng Ouyang · Rating 4 out of 5]

These lectures address a broad range of popular medical and health conceptions. Citing credible research, Novella tells us that most supplements are inefficacious or unnecessary, most “health advice” outside of authoritative institutions is baseless, and there is no “wonder cure” outside mainstream practices.

It is interesting to learn from the course that popular “new waves” of medicine are actually rigorously studied and debunked. When it comes to medicine, intuition and common sense do not always work. We need scientific studies because the human body is complicated. On the other hand, I am not sure if the lecturer presented evidence selectively. For example, the lecturer cited several controlled studies to show that acupuncture does not work. But I heard of many Chinese studies with different conclusions (although I cannot attest to their rigor). In any case, this course gives me a new perspective: do not trust marketing claims (for the products, services, or just the article itself). Check out evidence from trustable sources: chances are that this miracle has already been studied.

[Dale · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Review of the Audiobook

Published by The Great Courses in 2013.
Presented by the author, Dr. Steven Novella.
Duration: 12 hours, 25 minutes.
Unabridged.

Dr. Steven Novella addresses common questions and misconceptions that people often have about medicine.

The topics covered range from the very serious (like cancer, for example) to the relatively lightweight (do caffeinated drinks actually do anything to hydrate a person?).

Novella explains the science behind each of his discussions in everyday language and his demeanor is more like that of a friend than that of a lecturing authority figure.

As in all books of this sort, there were parts that I was keenly interested in and parts that I didn't care a whole lot about. But, on the whole, this book is well worth your time.

I rate this audiobook 4 stars out of 5.

https://dwdsreviews.blogspot.com/2022...

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twenty-three lectures from Dr. Steven Novella going through many commonly held beliefs and explaining why they are false. I enjoy listening to Steve* talk and he does a great job of explaining complex topics so anyone can understand them. I recommend jamming some headphones over the heads of anyone you know who likes to hold forth on the dangers of vaccines, efficacy of acupuncture and homeopathy, and superiority of the latest diet trend and make them listen to the relevant lecture (or all the lectures, just, you know, in case).

Even if you’re not harboring any of these false beliefs yourself, some of the history Steve covers on how these myths originated and persist is fascinating, as is the state of research into things that might be promising future medical interventions.

*I’m a longtime fan of the weekly podcast Steve hosts—The Skeptic’s Guide to the Universe—so I refer to Dr. Novella as he is in the podcast and because he is my parasocial friend.

[Marsha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I admit that I went in expecting to like this book, partly because I knew that I was familiar with the general ideas, and I was looking forward to – oh I don't know – confirmation. Although that was generally true, I also learned a fair amount from the book! I learned the sources of some of the ridiculous beliefs that people have, and I learned some extensions of what I already knew. Also, I had some confirmation on ideas that I had no proof or real reason. I do know several people who could stand to hear some of this, because I get tired of some of the nonsense that comes from them… I tend to be a skeptic, even about my skepticism! Most of it was confirmed, although I admittedly flat-out doubted some things that I probably shouldn't have. Even skepticism does need to be checked sometimes!

[Cassandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting read, although note this is the ORTHODOXY of medical myths, not anything new or controversial. I’ve read many in-depth books and studies on several of the topics covered that contradict this doctor’s versions of medical myths. I thought “Lies my Doctor Told Me” was a better read.

Since one of the themes seems to be “everything is safe and fine” I was shocked to read that standing in front of a microwave while it’s running for long periods of time is not safe. What?! Most microwaves are over the stove, so if you’re cooking you’re going to be standing right in front of it. Yet microwaving in plastic is fine, as long as it says “microwave safe” meaning it doesn’t contain BPA (what about BPS? Read “Estrogeneration” by Anthony G. Jay.) Doctors only know what they are taught in school, and don’t venture beyond that.

[Fate's Lady · Rating 3 out of 5]

I already knew a lot of these myths, but I'd guess the average person probably doesn't. It was interesting anyway, and often even though I knee certain things were untrue, I wasn't fully aware of how they'd been disproved. I do think a couple of the lectures dragged on, but overall I'd recommend the series.

[Uroš Mikolič · Rating 1 out of 5]

Just because you are a MD, does not make you wise. All to often we just blindly follow medical experts. The claim that there is no difference between raw and pasteurised milk Is just a bunch of nonsense. Ironically, this is a course(audibook) about half-truths, lies,... Highly ANTI-recommendating.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great short course. Just be ready to have a lot of what you think you know challenged.

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

A decent book aimed at the layman.

[Sandie Chu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every medical claim needs to be scientifically proven. It has certainly put many myths to rest and no more spending unnecessary money.

[Anastasia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not everything is as black and white as described.

[Zach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Should be required reading