Why did you have Placebo effect?
Becoz of another cognitive bias
Survivorship bias
"We tend to focus on thos things that survived a process and overlook ones that failed"
This happens when you see/read many testimonials on Siddha working in others who also suffer from biases 2/
These two biases create another bias.
Blind Spot bias
We dont think we have bias, but see it in others more than ourselves
So when science tells you that there is no evidence to demonstrate any benefit of Siddha in treatment of Covid, you consider scientists as biased 3/
But are scientists biased?
Yes, they can be.
So how do they correct for it?
Becoz science is not biased.
"Science is an inherently probabilistic endeavor.
It shows us what is most likely true given the current evidence, not what absolutely is true." 4/
So what does science say about Siddha?
That it is pseudoscience
Why pseudoscience?
Becoz it is unreasonable
Siddha does not follow a scientitic method, but culture
Relies on belief tat earth, water, fire, air, sky – are in food, "humours" of human body
This is illogical 5/
Now coming back to Siddha improving Covid.
It most likely did not. In mild covid, patients improve without even modern medicine prescriptions and only symptoms care
We do not have quality evidence through rigorous clinical studies that Siddha does anything to any disease
6/
So promoting Siddha for Covid or any other disease per say, is currently not in the best interest of public health
One must show refrain
Here is an infographic on 'cognitive biases'
We recently published our independent analysis of Homeopathic practitioner commonly prescribed and popular over-the-counter 134 Homeopathy products marketed and sold as "medicine."
The Placebo Project: An observational study and comprehensive analysis of 134 commonly prescribed homeopathic remedies in India uncovers potential for hepatotoxicity: journals.lww.com/md-journal/ful…
Here is our plain language and visual abstract summary of what these Homeopathy products are and what we found in them.
Dear friends, the most important update from our Citizens Protein Project 2. Please read and understand. This is on "amino spiking," a fraudulent practice... 1/8
Here we go. Results of Citizens Protein Project 2. Please read, share max. We have to bring in change. Thank you for your contributions. Huge thanks to @arifhussaintm who led clinical research division on behalf of Mission for Ethics and Science in Healthcare to do this...1/15
A new patient who came to me said he was promised a liver detox to 'improve functions' of cirrhosis liver. He spent ~ 200,000 INR (2333 USD) for 20 days of Ayurvedic therapy. And luckily escaped severe complications.