I have written multiple articles on the risks of over the counter (OTC) pills sold as all natural, miracle cures. This morning’s KevinMd published “The complications of drug regulation” by Julie Craig, MD, an addiction specialist. Dr. Craig’s article is well worth reading.
Were you aware that addictive, narcotic-like substances, can be hidden in OTC pills? Were you aware that the government has chosen to take a hands-off approach to OTC pills, nutraceuticals, and supplements? Were you aware that the product being sold must state, “This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnosis, treat, cure or prevent any disorder.” The manufacturer can infer anything they choose.
Think about it for a minute. If an OTC product promises to make you more alert, energetic and keep you awake, how does it do that? It must contain a stimulant. Is it safe for you to take a stimulant? Might you have a heart attack or worse while hyped up on an OTC product?
If a product promises to alleviate pain, could it contain an addictive new narcotic yet to be classified by the FDA? Might you become addicted to a “harmless, all natural” supplement? It’s no longer a secret! My poop is all natural, made from the finest foods the earth has to offer. It’s processed in the most natural of factories and has stood the test of time. If I bottle it and sell it as a high protein, low carb, “all natural” supplement, I could probably make a fortune. Of course, every bottle would state: “This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnosis, treat, cure or prevent any disorder.”
The bottle would clearly state, “Recommended by doctors” as I am a doctor; and I would offer shares in my new company to other docs. It would cost $59.95 plus shipping. If you buy today, we’ll ship it for free. Of course, there is a money back guarantee. And, since we want to help as many people as we can feel better, think clear more clearly and be healthier, we’re going to give you a second month’s worth of pills absolutely free. You’ll pay shipping and handling cost on the second bottle ($59.95).
Do you know what a placebo is? Do you know what a placebo effect is? A placebo is a fake treatment that has nothing in it and should have no measurable effect. Believe it or not, in valid research, the placebo effect ranges from 30-80 %. That means if I give you a capsule of Segal’s Miracle Shit and tell you it is going to give you mare energy, keep you alert, and make you brighter, 30-80% of the time, it’s going to work!
So, if I sell it to you, add a 300% mark-up and 30% of my customers experience a positive placebo effect, then I can afford to accept a 70% return rate and still make a pretty profit!
The moral of this story is easy. Be very careful what you put into your body. Read labels with great caution; and, if there is a disclaimer, don’t buy the product! The disclaimer is a warning that you may be in dangerous territory. The life you save mat be your own.
Here’s your joke of the day:
* A psychologist is a person who tells you what everybody knows in a language nobody can understand.
* The superego is that part of the personality soluble in alcohol, or the superego is that small inner voice that warns us that someone may be looking.
* A neurotic is a person who has discovered the secret of perpetual emotion.
* A Freudian Slip is when you say one thing and mean your mother.
* A hypochondriac is a person who wants to have his ache and treat it too.
* A kleptomaniac is a person who helps himself because he can’t help himself.
* Consciousness is that annoying time between periods of sleep.
* A sadist is a person who does kind things to a masochist.
* The Freudian Virus causes your PC to become obsessed with its own motherboard.
* Guilt feelings are the attempt to express the good intentions you never really had.
* Lysdexia is a peech imspediment we live to learn with.
* A lottery is a tax on people who don’t know statistics.
