How can we get more reliable information from homoeopathic pathogenetic trials?

Dantas, Flávio

doi:10.1016/s0007-0785(96)80007-x

Cited by 31 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…The rule of similars was known long before the invention of homeopathy by Hahnemann, but it was Hahnemann's genuine insight into how to operationalize it: He used the remedial substances of his days and what he later on thought might be useful as a remedy, gave these substances to volunteers, so called 'provers', and observed the symptoms they experienced. This is what homeopaths call a proving, traditionally, or a pathogenetic trial more recently [10]. The symptoms collected that way make up the homeopathic materia medica, the body of knowledge about remedies.…”

Section: Homeopathy: a Short Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Entanglement Model of Homeopathy as an Example of Generalized Entanglement Predicted by Weak Quantum Theory

2003

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Homeopathy is scientifically banned, both for lack of consistent empirical findings, but more so for lack of a sound theoretical model to explain its purported effects. This paper makes an attempt to introduce an explanatory idea based on a generalized version of quantum mechanics (QM), the weak quantum theory (WQT). WQT uses the algebraic formalism of QM proper, but drops some restrictions and definitions typical for QM. This results in a general axiomatic framework similar to QM, but more generalized and applicable to all possible systems. Most notably, WQT predicts entanglement, which in QM is known as Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen (EPR) correlatedness within quantum systems. According to WQT, this entanglement is not only tied to quantum systems, but is to be expected whenever a global and a local variable describing a system are complementary. This idea is used here to reconstruct homeopathy as an exemplification of generalized entanglement as predicted by WQT. It transpires that homeopathy uses two instances of generalized entanglement: one between the remedy and the original substance (potentiation principle) and one between the individual symptoms of a patient and the general symptoms of a remedy picture (similarity principle). By bringing these two elements together, double entanglement ensues, which is reminiscent of cryptographic and teleportation applications of entanglement in QM proper. Homeopathy could be a macroscopic analogue to quantum teleportation. This model is exemplified and some predictions are derived, which make it possible to test the model.

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Section: Homeopathy: a Short Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Entanglement Model of Homeopathy as an Example of Generalized Entanglement Predicted by Weak Quantum Theory

2003

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“…One of the pillars of homeopathic therapy and practice are homeopathic remedy provings or pathogenetic trials [4,5]. In such trials, healthy volunteers ingest a homeopathic substance and report the symptoms they experience.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Homeopathic Pathogenetic Trials Produce Specific Symptoms Different from Placebo

2009

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Introduction: Homeopathy uses information gathered from healthy volunteers taking homeopathic substances (pathogenetic trials) for clinical treatment. It is controversial whether such studies produce symptoms different from those produced by placebo. Objective: To test whether homeopathic preparations produce different symptoms than placebo in healthy volunteers. Methods: Three armed, double-blind, placebo controlled randomised experimental pathogenetic study in 25 healthy volunteers who took either one of two homeopathic remedies, Natrum muriaticum and Arsenicum album in 30CH or identical placebo. Main outcome parameter was the number of remedy-specific symptoms per group. Results: On average, 6 symptoms typical for Arsenicum album were experienced by participants taking arsenicum album, 5 symptoms typical for Natrum muriaticum by those taking natrum muriaticum, and 11 non-specific symptoms by those in the placebo group. Differences were significant overall (Kruskall Wallis test, p = 0.0002,) and significantly different from placebo (Mann-Whitney test, p = 0.001). Conclusion: Homeopathic remedies produce different symptoms than placebo.

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“…Subjects and Methods: Young adults of both sexes (ages 18-31) with above-average scores on standardized personality scales for either cynical hostility or anxiety sensitivity, and a history of coffee-induced insomnia, participated in the month-long study. At-home polysomnographic recordings were obtained on successive pairs of nights once per week for a total of 8 recordings (nights 1,2,8,9,15,16,22,23). Subjects (N = 59) received placebo pellets on night 8 (single-blind) and verum pellets in 30c doses of one of two homeopathic remedies, NV or CC, on night 22 (doubleblind).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Homeopathy states that substances (animal, mineral, or plant origins) which can cause symptoms in a healthy person can cure them in an ill person (Law of Similars). In phase I-like trials called homeopathic pathogenetic trials or 'provings' [2][3][4], homeopaths apply this concept of like-cures-like to develop and test their medicines in healthy human subjects. They further postulate that even subtle individual differences in sensitivity to each specific medicine (termed a 'remedy') will produce substantial variability in the bio-psycho-social patterns of responses to different remedies.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Homeopathic Medicines on Mood of Adults with Histories of Coffee-Related Insomnia

Brooks

Bell²,

Howerter³

et al. 2010

Forsch Komplementmed

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Background/Aims: The purpose of this within-subjects feasibility study was to determine whether two different homeopathic remedies, Nux Vomica (NV) and Coffea Cruda (CC), exert effects on subjective mood ratings in healthy adults with a history of coffee-induced insomnia. The impact of individual personality traits, anxiety sensitivity or Type A cynical hostility, and homeopathic constitutional type (HTYPE-NV, HTYPE-CC), on remedy effects was examined to evaluate differential responsivity, in accord with clinical claims. Subjects and Methods: Young adults of both sexes (ages 18–31) with above-average scores on standardized personality scales for either cynical hostility or anxiety sensitivity, and a history of coffee-induced insomnia, participated in the month-long study. At-home polysomnographic recordings were obtained on successive pairs of nights once per week for a total of 8 recordings (nights 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23). Subjects (N = 59) received placebo pellets on night 8 (single-blind) and verum pellets in 30c doses of one of two homeopathic remedies, NV or CC, on night 22 (doubleblind). Subjects completed the Profile of Mood States Scales at bedtime. Results: The remedies produced differential effects on anger and overall mood, with improved mood following CC administration. A similar trend for depression was observed. Anxiety sensitive subjects experienced less tension following CC, whereas hostile subjects receiving CC became more tense. The high HTYPE-CC receiving CC experienced less vigor. The high HTYPE-CC receiving NV experienced more vigor.

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How can we get more reliable information from homoeopathic pathogenetic trials?

Cited by 31 publications

References 15 publications

Entanglement Model of Homeopathy as an Example of Generalized Entanglement Predicted by Weak Quantum Theory

Entanglement Model of Homeopathy as an Example of Generalized Entanglement Predicted by Weak Quantum Theory

Homeopathic Pathogenetic Trials Produce Specific Symptoms Different from Placebo

Effects of Homeopathic Medicines on Mood of Adults with Histories of Coffee-Related Insomnia

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