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No, but he did offer up a possible explanation for the symptoms disappearing. That GP had changed diets and tried acupuncture may just be coincidental with the

No, but he did offer up a possible explanation for the symptoms disappearing. That GP had changed diets and tried acupuncture may just be coincidental with the pollen running its course.

maxxxxx 9y ago
He writes that he has had that over a decade. Maybe he would have noticed it himself that it was seasonal. I just don't like the tone when people have difficult problems, make an observation and get dismissed immediately because their observation doesn't fit with the mainstream. I started doing meditation and yoga before it was cool and whenever I mentioned that meditation seems to help with my depression and anxiety there were always plenty of smartasses telling me this is all bullshit. Now, 25 years later they suddenly start listening. There are plenty of bullshit alternative cures out there and it's good to question people. But pretending that the only cures that are valid are the ones from current mainstream medicine makes no sense. There is plenty of stuff out there mainstream medicine doesn't have a solution for and doesn't understand. In addition it has its own snake oil problems like unnecessary surgeries and feeding psychoactive substances to more and more people.
- Chris2048 9y ago
  > because their observation doesn't fit with the mainstream what do you mean by "mainstream"? Mainstream medicine? This isn't pop-music aesthetics, medicine is a profession, and seeking alternate treatments can do real harm. > I mentioned that meditation seems to help with my depression and anxiety This is dissimilar to things like allergies. It's also worth noting how many thing do turn out to be BS - your example might be survivor bias. > But pretending that the only cures that are valid Its one thing to consider alternativecures, it's another to promote them. Some alternate treatments can be harmful, so there should be a high barrier to recommendation. > There is plenty of stuff out there mainstream medicine doesn't have a solution Doesn't mean alternative medicine does though. The same argument is made for religion, called "god of the gaps".
  - maxxxxx 9y ago
    I am not saying that alternative medicines work better than mainstream medicine. All I am saying is that you can't immediately dismiss alternative medicine. There is a lot of nonsense going on but also a lot of useful stuff.
    - Chris2048 9y ago
      > All I am saying is that you can't immediately dismiss alternative medicine dismiss in what sense? dismiss it as no more plausible than an infinite number of possible cures? If you go to the trouble of mail-ordering an expensive pill, you are clearly giving its plausibility as a cure greater weight than, say, a mixture of ketchup and toothpaste baked at 200 degree for 20 mins - which also can't be dismissed as a cure. > also a lot of useful stuff How do you know?

No, but he did offer up a possible explanation for the symptoms disappearing. That GP had changed diets and tried acupuncture may just be coincidental with the pollen running its course.

maxxxxx 9y ago

He writes that he has had that over a decade. Maybe he would have noticed it himself that it was seasonal. I just don't like the tone when people have difficult problems, make an observation and get dismissed immediately because their observation doesn't fit with the mainstream. I started doing meditation and yoga before it was cool and whenever I mentioned that meditation seems to help with my depression and anxiety there were always plenty of smartasses telling me this is all bullshit. Now, 25 years later they suddenly start listening. There are plenty of bullshit alternative cures out there and it's good to question people. But pretending that the only cures that are valid are the ones from current mainstream medicine makes no sense. There is plenty of stuff out there mainstream medicine doesn't have a solution for and doesn't understand. In addition it has its own snake oil problems like unnecessary surgeries and feeding psychoactive substances to more and more people.

Chris2048 9y ago
> because their observation doesn't fit with the mainstream what do you mean by "mainstream"? Mainstream medicine? This isn't pop-music aesthetics, medicine is a profession, and seeking alternate treatments can do real harm. > I mentioned that meditation seems to help with my depression and anxiety This is dissimilar to things like allergies. It's also worth noting how many thing do turn out to be BS - your example might be survivor bias. > But pretending that the only cures that are valid Its one thing to consider alternativecures, it's another to promote them. Some alternate treatments can be harmful, so there should be a high barrier to recommendation. > There is plenty of stuff out there mainstream medicine doesn't have a solution Doesn't mean alternative medicine does though. The same argument is made for religion, called "god of the gaps".
- maxxxxx 9y ago
  I am not saying that alternative medicines work better than mainstream medicine. All I am saying is that you can't immediately dismiss alternative medicine. There is a lot of nonsense going on but also a lot of useful stuff.
  - Chris2048 9y ago
    > All I am saying is that you can't immediately dismiss alternative medicine dismiss in what sense? dismiss it as no more plausible than an infinite number of possible cures? If you go to the trouble of mail-ordering an expensive pill, you are clearly giving its plausibility as a cure greater weight than, say, a mixture of ketchup and toothpaste baked at 200 degree for 20 mins - which also can't be dismissed as a cure. > also a lot of useful stuff How do you know?