The field of homeopathy was invented in 1796 by a German named Samuel Hahnemann. Hahnemann stated the two key principles of homeopathy:
1. The “law of similars” - This principle states that “like cures like”, such that an illness or condition with certain symptoms can be cured using a substance that produces the same symptoms in the patient. For example, Hahemann famously ingested cinchona bark which produces fever and declared it to be a suitable treatment for malaria (which causes similar symptoms).
2. The “law of infinitesimals” - Hahnemann also believed that the potency of a treatment could be increased by diluting the ingredient(s) over and over again, punctuated by striking the vessel containing the solution on a soft surface (called “succussion”). This process of repeated dilutions, called “potentisation”, often occurs until no more of the original substance remains.
Neither the law of similars nor the law of infinitesimals have any scientific support. Indeed, an increase in the strength of a treatment with successive dilutions contradicts established science, never mind not making intuitive sense. Despite this lack of scientific rationale behind the practice, clinical trials have still been carried out to test the effectiveness of homeopathic treatments. These clinical trials have overwhelmingly shown that homeopathy is no better than placebo. Most of the apparent benefits are illusory: due to spontaneous recovery, regression to the mean, or other well-known misperceptions.
Although some patients may gain genuine benefits from homeopathy, these come not from the medicine itself, but from a long and involved consultation with a homeopathic practitioner. The patient feels that they are being listened too and gain a psychological boost which manifests as a small but noticeable improvement in some symptoms. Even here, the effect is chiefly limited to subjective symptoms, like felt pain, and there are a large number of conditions for which the small (and highly erratic) placebo effect that results from homeopathic remedies simply has no effect. These include the prevention of infections by vaccination and the treatment of serious diseases such as malaria and AIDS. Ineffectual homeopathic remedies provide a dangerous distraction from conventional, evidence-based treatments.
CASS position
CASS engages with the public discourse to raise awareness of the nature of homeopathy, the lack of scientific foundation for the practice, and the lack of scientific support for its efficacy. CASS believes that education is key to ensuring that the public is able to make informed decisions about their healthcare. CASS also works to improve the regulatory scrutiny of homeopathy, to reduce the level of misinformation provided to the public.
Browse below for the latest press releases, articles, and project notes by CASS on the topic of homeopathy.
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