Hormesis and Homeopathy: Toward a New Self-Consciousness

Abstract

Contrary to common belief, most new discoveries and theories are not merely additions to the existing stockpile of scientific knowledge; in order to assimilate them, the scientist usually has to rearrange his intellectual mind, discarding elements of his own previous theories. In this sense, he plays the role of a divergent thinker since the scientific community is often not ready to accept a new position for many reasons, among which not only lack of flexibility and open-mindedness but also political and economic interests. The gist of this thought 1 by Thomas Kuhn can be found in an important editorial by Edward Calabrese which recently appeared in Homeopathy. 2 The editorial concerns a manuscript published by Bellare and coworkers in the same issue of the journal, 3 in which the authors show that nanoparticles of different metals, that in previous articles had been unequivocally found at concentrations of a certain pg/mL in 30 CH and 200 CH homeopathic remedies, 4,5 induced a biological response. Furthermore, the authors reveal that the biological responses induced by these homeopathic remedies show the traits that would normally characterize a hormetic dose-response mechanism. 6-11 Taking into account that both homeopathy and hormesis, as well as their mutual relationships, are attractors of criticism and controversy, 12-19 this result, in Calabrese's opinion, is extremely significant. Using Calabrese's words, it shows once again what happens when some scientists actually try to understand the physical system and what happens within it, while others are simply dismissive. In this context, there are a few more points I want to mention here that deserve particular consideration. Two important sets of experiments have been reported in the last few years. The first concerns the above-mentioned studies by the Bellare group using electron diffraction and electron transmission microscopy techniques. 4,5 These studies show that, contrary to any previous beliefs, when homeopathic medicines containing metal nanoparticles are progressively diluted and succussed, highly diluted solutions contain an unexpected amount of the original substance. According to the authors, this is due to the formation of an enriched monolayer of nanoparticles on the surface due to froth flotation induced by succussion, that is, a particular vigorous shaking procedure. This

Murburn Concept: A Molecular Explanation for Hormetic and Idiosyncratic Dose Responses

“… 9 - 12 To our knowledge, this is because a simple and direct “activity” based molecular mechanistic explanation is lacking. Therefore, several “mainstream scientists” deem hormesis to be a “marginal science” in cellular physiology, owing to its “proximity to homeopathic ideas.” 13 …”

Aspirin 15cH has Different Effects on Morphology and Function of Lipopolysaccharide-Challenged RAW 264.7 Macrophages In Vitro Compared to a Pharmacological Dose of Aspirin

“…It is known that even at concentrations beyond Avogadro's number (10 −24 M), high dilutions of many drugs can modulate gene expression in biological systems, though in a non-linear manner. 54 55 56 From a more comprehensive point of view, the balance of functions in the different tested conditions combining the LPS challenge with varying kinds of aspirin preparations suggests the triggering of different levels of the hormesis process, which is one of the hallmarks of health and cell adaptation. 57 Indeed, the results demonstrated that Aspirin 15cH could induce the organization of macrophage pseudopods in a very particular way and reduced the cell contingent able to express TLR-4 on the cell surface, which is a phenotype compatible with M2 polarization.…”

Placebo a wizard in scientific world of homoeopathy

“…(5) Studies have proven the effects of homoeopathic medicine superior than placebo and had been investigated with ethanol issues in cell culture experiments, ethanol toxicity in animal experiments and drug delivery (pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamics) activity through hormesis effects. (6) Inspite of so many rigours efforts putforth by various researchers in deciphering the actions of placebo against homoeopathy, still researchers are reluctant to accept its scientific evidence and are attempting in proving homoeopathy as placebo (pseudo-science) and not merely as therapeutic science. (7) Today, there are so many pooled clinical trial investigated on homoeopathy by considering the Evidence Based Medicine Criteria.…”