Alternative medicine is popular because:
1. There are no/nicer side effects,, no pain from surgery etc
2. It's generally cheaper
3. A nice room with relaxing music is preferable to a hospital.
4. The placebo effect is powerful, real and has been shown to actually physically alter the body. It's not just in the mind, and can even work if you are told it is just a placebo.
5. Most importantly - people get desperate and at this stage all logic and reason go out of the window.
That said AFAIK there is some evidence that some alternative medicine is better than placebo, e.g. chiropractor spinal manipulation.
1. There are no/nicer side effects,, no pain from surgery etc
2. It's generally cheaper
3. A nice room with relaxing music is preferable to a hospital.
4. The placebo effect is powerful, real and has been shown to actually physically alter the body. It's not just in the mind, and can even work if you are told it is just a placebo.
5. Most importantly - people get desperate and at this stage all logic and reason go out of the window.
That said AFAIK there is some evidence that some alternative medicine is better than placebo, e.g. chiropractor spinal manipulation.
