It started out as a Twitter argument with a homeopath. Fortunately, sanity prevailed. Here’s a brief discussion about a placebo that works even when everyone knows it’s a placebo! What more could you ask? Cheaper and more fun than sugar pills, too.
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WCT therapy is also placebo & BETTER than #homeopathy! @anarchic_teapot @sportsdoc_chris @kaviraj2 @drpaulmorgan @landtimforgot @edzardernst |
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@shanemuk @sportsdoc_chris @kaviraj2 @drpaulmorgan @landtimforgot @edzardernst Never heard of it. In any case, also prefer nice cup of tea. |
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Bingo! WCT is “wee cup of tea!” works wonders. @anarchic_teapot @sportsdoc_chris @kaviraj2 @drpaulmorgan @landtimforgot @edzardernst |
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@shanemuk @sportsdoc_chris @kaviraj2 @drpaulmorgan @landtimforgot @edzardernst No! WCTB: wee cup of tea AND BISCUIT |
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@anarchic_teapot @sportsdoc_chris @kaviraj2 @drpaulmorgan @landtimforgot @edzardernst I do find the biscuit a useful adjunctive measure, yes |
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@anarchic_teapot @drpaulmorgan @landtimforgot @edzardernst Suggest campaign for WCTB on the #NHS – withdraw #homeopathy funding to support! |
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@shanemuk @drpaulmorgan @landtimforgot @edzardernst I demand a study IMMEDIATELY! WCTB an important breakthrough, and it’s British! |
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@anarchic_teapot @drpaulmorgan @landtimforgot @edzardernst What; now you’re asking for *evidence*??  #WCTB for all! |
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@shanemuk @drpaulmorgan @landtimforgot @edzardernst We don’t need evidence! We need funding. Anna biscuit. #wctb |
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@anarchic_teapot @shanemuk @drpaulmorgan @landtimforgot we need a research grant of £2m |
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@EdzardErnst @shanemuk @drpaulmorgan @landtimforgot The EU could redirect funding from pre-studies on giving magic water to cows #wctb |
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@shanemuk @anarchic_teapot @sportsdoc_chris @kaviraj2 @drpaulmorgan @landtimforgot are the bisquits complimentary or complementary? |
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@EdzardErnst @shanemuk @sportsdoc_chris @kaviraj2 @drpaulmorgan @landtimforgot Both, for maximum effectiveness. #wctb |
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@EdzardErnst @anarchic_teapot @sportsdoc_chris @kaviraj2 @drpaulmorgan @landtimforgot Technically both. Not alternative though. Adjunctive. |
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@anarchic_teapot @shanemuk @drpaulmorgan @landtimforgot can we take dodgy originals? |
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@EdzardErnst @shanemuk @drpaulmorgan @landtimforgot I think we need to ‘prove’ a wide range of biccies. Rich tea, jammy dodger, bourbon,.. |
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Better than hobnobs RT @anarchic_teapot: @EdzardErnst @shanemuk @drpaulmorgan @landtimforgot I think we need to ‘prove’ a wide range … |
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@EdzardErnst @anarchic_teapot @drpaulmorgan @landtimforgot Once safety & general efficacy established, need to study types of tea, biccies.. |
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@shanemuk @EdzardErnst @drpaulmorgan @landtimforgot Milk, sugar? Or lemon and honey? Do fruit teas have the same effect? What dosage? #wctb |
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@anarchic_teapot @edzardernst @drpaulmorgan @landtimforgot I would be concerned about lobbying from Big Biscuit. “Me-too” biccies etc. |
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@shanemuk @edzardernst @drpaulmorgan @landtimforgot Not to mention online biscuiteries selling fake confectionery #wctb |
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@anarchic_teapot @edzardernst @drpaulmorgan @landtimforgot Anyone know if Jaffa cakes are off-patent? #generics |
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@shanemuk @edzardernst @drpaulmorgan @landtimforgot Well, generics do exist, at least in supermarkets. Shortbread should also be looked at. |
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@shanemuk @edzardernst @drpaulmorgan @landtimforgot And, very important: is dunking ethical? #wctb |
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@anarchic_teapot @shanemuk @drpaulmorgan @landtimforgot certainly not;my ethics committee would never pass it! |
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@EdzardErnst @shanemuk @drpaulmorgan @landtimforgot I think in certain circumstances it might be acceptable. But only with plain biscuits. |
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@anarchic_teapot @shanemuk @drpaulmorgan @landtimforgot further complication!tea+biccies might be a complex intervention requiring different |
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@anarchic_teapot @edzardernst @drpaulmorgan @landtimforgot So we have a rational alternative to #homeopathy(!), and a research agenda! #WCTB |
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@shanemuk @edzardernst @drpaulmorgan @landtimforgot Let’s get the grant forms filled in! |
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So there you have it. Having a good chuckle in the virtual company of someone like Edzard Ernst is a tonic in itself, anyway. In all honesty, I don’t think any of us seriously doubts that a nice cup of tea and a biscuit (or acceptable substitute for either) isn’t a much better therapy for general not-feeling-quite-right than expensive sugar pills. If you’re looking for a cheaper, more effective placebo than reiki and other forms of energy healing, I would suggest a big hug and sympathetic shoulder. They are probably not incompatible with WCTB therapy, but of course we’d need funding to study that more closely.
Most important of all, it’s the only type of therapy you need not worry about not disclosing to your doctor.
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About anarchic teapot
Jack of all trades, master of one or two. Hedonist without a pause.
Sex, drugs, and rock'n'roll. Quacks filleted and roasted on demand, sauce not optional.
Shane McKee (@shanemuk)
23/10/2011 at 22:33
Hope to follow this up with more material at http://answersingenes.blogspot.com – you know you want to go there too
Shane McKee (@shanemuk)
23/10/2011 at 23:06
Done: http://answersingenes.blogspot.com/2011/10/alternative-medicine-that-works-taking.html
anarchic teapot
24/10/2011 at 00:31
Great post, which I shall comment on when I’ve had my full eight hours and morning cuppa. Because yes, although we were laughing, we weren’t really joking. Life is so much better after a cup of char and a chat..