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The age of the internet has brought with it a host of scams, rip-offs, and fake products that make snake oil salespeople of the past look like saints. But the silver lining is that we are developing a thicker and thicker skin to their methods, with the result that we often misidentify real products as illegitimate. 

So a netizen asked the people of the internet to share their wisdom on what things that appear to be scams actually work pretty well. There was a pile of interesting suggestions, so get comfortable as you read through, make sure to upvote your favorite examples and comment your thoughts and experiences below. 

#1

"What Seems Like Snake Oil But Is Actually 100% Legit?" (50 Answers) Many people can't believe this but: Vaccines are actually Safe and Effective!

WirrkopfP , CDC Report

#2

"What Seems Like Snake Oil But Is Actually 100% Legit?" (50 Answers) Vinegar and news paper to clean windows.

I thought the ink would come off and make an even bigger mess.

Almost turns the window invisible.

ShadowWolfKane , Amaury Michaux Report

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Velveteen Worm
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I tried this on my big bathroom mirror today and was shocked at the effectiveness vs that of using windex or other glass cleaners with a dry rag

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#3

"What Seems Like Snake Oil But Is Actually 100% Legit?" (50 Answers) Vitamin D supplements. it's much more important than any of us realized.

pinkwardremoval , Michele Blackwell Report

The original snake oil, while not at all functional, wasn’t intended to be a scam, at least as far as we know. Chinese traditional medicine posits that oil taken from the skin of a Chinese water snake may have some medicinal properties, and was likely brought into the English language through Asian railway workers in the 19th century

Interestingly, oil taken from a Chinese water snake has a particularly high concentration of omega−3 fatty acids, more than salmon and the fish oils many people use as supplements. While just omega-3 fatty acids aren’t magic sure, they are not harmful and do have some health benefits. However, the real scams began when salespeople in the US, unable to procure Chinese snakes, turned to using rattlesnake oil

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#4

"What Seems Like Snake Oil But Is Actually 100% Legit?" (50 Answers) The whole "hold your breath to get rid of hiccups" trick.

Thing is, most people just don't know the proper way to do it or why it works.

It's got nothing to do with simply holding your breath. It's got to do with using your lungs to hold down the diaphragm and stop it from spasming.

You breathe in until you cannot fit literally anything else into your lungs. When your chest is as full as humanly possible **then** you hold it and within about 15 seconds the hiccups are gone.

shlam16 , Darius Bashar Report

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Velveteen Worm
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I take the deepest breath possible, hold for 10, then without exhaling I take one more breath in (obviously smaller) and hold for 5! Almost ALWAYS works. I learned this when I was about 14 and as someone who experiences very very painful hiccups it is a wonderful relief when this little trick actually works!

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#5

"What Seems Like Snake Oil But Is Actually 100% Legit?" (50 Answers) Taking magnesium. It really can cure some joint, nerve, muscle, heart and breathing problems.

Of course, the only one it can cure are ones that are caused by a magnesium deficiency which a surprising number of people have.

Some life events that can rapidly use up magnesium in the body are pregnancy, surgery, viral illness and major period of stress.

Easy_Independent_313 , Amanda Jones Report

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JoyfulZebra
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've been taking magnesium supplements for a while now, and it is one of the main things that helps with my chronic pain

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#6

"What Seems Like Snake Oil But Is Actually 100% Legit?" (50 Answers) Good posture.


I had chronic back pain for years. Then, just a few years ago I slept on my neck wrong and had neck pain that wouldn’t resolve; I saw a physical therapist and the first thing she did was look at how I sat and how I stood and walked. She told me nicely but essentially that my posture was horrible, affected by years of slumping in my seat and also being told continually by my mom “suck in that tummy!” when I stood or walked, which led to me thinking a pelvic tilt was necessary for good posture.

The therapist showed me how to sit and stand with a straight back, my chest up and forward, and my back keeping a healthy lumbar curvature. Let me tell you, it was HARD. My shoulder/back muscles were not used to it and I had to train them like any muscle is trained, with a posture bra and also using a long sheet tied like a strap around my neck, arms, and waist. It also felt so unnatural at first to be sticking my chest and butt out, like I was looking for attention—which is part of the reason people have such terrible posture; we feel that’s “immodest.”

No lie, 3 weeks later all my back pain symptoms were gone and haven’t returned. I can do some slumping when I sit with no great penalty now, but when I walk, or when have to stand for a duration, or sit on something backless, I use my good posture and I am pain-free.

Trying to spread the word on this makes me feel like a 1950s health movie (“Posture Pals!”) but it’s so effective I can’t stop sharing. Years of chronic back pain completely eliminated by just a few weeks of good posture training.

amantiana , Alejandro Escamilla Report

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Xenon
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

L don't find this egotistical or self serving in the least. Excellent info.

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There is a possible, secondary European connection, as some folk medicine recommends viper oil to treat certain conditions. This doesn’t really have any basis in reality, plus there is the additional risk of needing to harvest oil from a venomous snake. Nevertheless, up until the mid-19th century, snake oil was commonly bought and sold, including by William Rockefeller Sr., the father of John D. Rockefeller, who technically was a literal snake oil salesman

#7

"What Seems Like Snake Oil But Is Actually 100% Legit?" (50 Answers) How effective Medical cannabis is on Parkinson’s and MS.

You watch the videos and the effects are like the patients are paid actors before. But it’s real, and it works.

comfortablynumb15 , Stephen Hocking Report

#8

"What Seems Like Snake Oil But Is Actually 100% Legit?" (50 Answers) Yoga. I have severe upper back pain and went to months of physical therapy. I couldn't keep up with the millions of appointments and started doin yoga as a way to stretch my upper back instead. I was doing it for 30 mins each day and forgot that I had pain. It's so annoying that it does what people say it does because this whole time I thought they were just being annoying but they're 100% right. There's an app that is called "Down dog yoga" it's a blue dog as the logo, that's the app I really enjoy! You can Customize time and focus area so you can fit things in when you have time

Initial_Savings8733 , Ginny Rose Stewart Report

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Lauren Baker
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just be careful if you're hypermobile like me. I have disease called EDS, and stretching can actually make things worse in some cases. But for most people, yoga is amazing!

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#9

"What Seems Like Snake Oil But Is Actually 100% Legit?" (50 Answers) Sitting on your deck in summer or are you having a nice picnic when suddenly you're being accosted by the hellspawn known as wasps? Get rid of them with this one easy solution: burn some coffee!

Burn coffee? I hear you say incredulously. Yes, burn coffee! Take a little saucer, pour a little pyramid of ground coffee on in and use a lighter to light the top. It will smolder slowly and give off a smoke that smells, well like burnt coffee. It will also instantly get rid of any wasps that are bothering you. No idea why, they absolutely hate the smell.

Some people also dislike the smell of the burning coffee, I understand this. But ask yourself this important question while the smell is annoying you: what do you dislike more; wasps or the smell of burning coffee? I know what I would pick.

ilikedmatrixiv , Georg Eiermann Report

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Tuna Beach
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If it's early summer, leave a plate with a very small piece of sausage on it. They are gathering food for the larvae. If it's late summer, they (the workers) are no longer behind fed, and are dying. Put a saucer of sugary water out. In both cases, they will be attracted to what they are looking for and leave you alone. 🐝🐝🐝

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In an even more convoluted twist, one of the original snake-oil salesmen, as we think of the term today, was a man named Clark Stanley, sometimes called the "Rattlesnake King," who sold, you guessed it, what he said was oil from rattlesnakes, which was supposed to cure all sorts of ailments. He was exposed as a fraud in 1916, which is likely the reason we still compare scam products to snake oil

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#10

Weighted blankets. My partner has anxiety disorder (I don’t) so I bought one for her as a gift while we lived apart. I didn’t think they would make any difference to me. She moved in, and I slept under it for the first time… I can’t get a good night of sleep without it now. It’s literally a 10x improvement to my sleep, and I discounted it because I thought it wouldn’t do anything

I guess you could say I slept on it for too long 😎👉👉

plant_domination Report

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Matthews
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They really work wonders! For some autistic people such as myself, weighted blankets provide sensory stimulation in just the right way to calm down from other sensory issues, preparing for a great night of sleep.

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#11

"What Seems Like Snake Oil But Is Actually 100% Legit?" (50 Answers) Meditation. When I was an alcoholic and drug abuser, my friend use to tell me about meditation to help with anxiety and stress. I thought “b***h we use Xanax around here, no one’s got time to meditate” we no longer use Xanax, and have the time to meditate:)

ManyAd9810 , https://www.pexels.com/photo/photo-of-woman-doing-meditation-3059892/ Report

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OogieBoogie
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you have some spare time do 5 minutes of meditation. If you don't have spare time do 20 minutes of meditation.

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#12

"What Seems Like Snake Oil But Is Actually 100% Legit?" (50 Answers) I had a weird smelling basement. Someone said to get aromatic cedar blocks, sand them down and leave them there. I thought, no way this could work. But it did. The smell is totally eliminated.

thetorontotickler , November--Ghost Report

In a twist that shouldn’t surprise any 21st-century person, Clark Stanley’s rattlesnake oil didn’t even contain any snake oil. On the one hand, the presence of snake oil wouldn’t have made a lick of difference, but it seems like a colossal risk to sell a fake product that doesn’t even have the magic ingredient it’s marketed for. His reputation was destroyed when this uncomfortable fact was discovered and he was fined $20

#13

"What Seems Like Snake Oil But Is Actually 100% Legit?" (50 Answers) Does a dog thundershirt count? Had an anxious dog with storms/loud noises, got him one, and while not perfect, he did seem to calm down with it on more often that not.

tenacious-g , ballerstatus89 Report

#14

"What Seems Like Snake Oil But Is Actually 100% Legit?" (50 Answers) Daylight lamps. Someone mentioned melatonin, so it reminded me of the opposite lol. Bought a daylight lamp last winter because I get depressed when it’s dark outside for long periods of time. Got one off amazon for 40€ and now I can’t live without it in the winter. Thought it was a sham initially. The light basically imitates the wavelengths of light emitted by the sun (bar the UVs) and inhibits the production of melatonin. Not only that, but it also boosts my mood and morale. You just have to be careful because it’s difficult to fall asleep for a couple of hours after using it. 

Outside-Ad5864 , Pierre Châtel-Innocenti Report

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Lauren Baker
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah I know its a common treatment for seasonal depression. I haven't tried it but I've heard good things!

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#15

"What Seems Like Snake Oil But Is Actually 100% Legit?" (50 Answers) Salt water swish and gargle for toothache and sore throat (as long as it’s not something like strep). Source: currently have strep and ain’t nothing working. Otherwise even the dentist tells me to salt water swish if I get tooth pain or something stuck. Total relief.

allflour , Katii Bishop Report

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Tamiko
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Did this when I had a abscess, held the salt water over the area for a few seconds before spitting it out. Didn't even bother taking pain killers it worked so well.

Momica98
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hope you still went to the dentist. An infected tooth left untreated can kill you.

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Petra Schaap
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

also cloves when you have toothache. Saved my sanity once. for the non believers saying "placebo effect" : i didnt believe it was working, had a fight about it and tried it to be able to say "see its not working" and then it did work.

whiterabbit
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I work in oral surgery and pretty much all dry socket medicines are clove oil based. It works very well in oral pain.

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Midoribird Aoi
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It is good for the short term, but go to the dentist for an abscess! It will help the pain for a while, but not the infection, which will spread and possibly kill you.

Timmy Pillinger
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Soluble aspirin gargle: drug to the pain. Pineapple juice for oral thrush.

David A Paterson
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Has to be a strong concentration of salt. Strong enough to kill cells.

Monday
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You know it's working if it hurts like a b***h for the first few seconds and then just.....numbs. Weirdly satisfying feeling.

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Paula
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Salt and apple cider vinegar in warm water. Salt breaks down the mucus and ph of vinegar will kill some bacteria. My mother shared this with me when I was very young, eons ago. Everyone I have shared this with says it has worked for them too.

Mycroft1967
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Old home remedy. Some others: earache- sweet oil; sunburn- witch hazel; splinter- baking soda w water; and put aspirin in your shampoo- dandruff (has salicylic acid same as dandruff shampoo- leave on for about 5-10 minutes though).

Mir Adwari
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A small addition, if aspirin makes you feel sick it probably won't work on your skin...sadly.

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Beachbum
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My doctor told me for strep use a mixture of Mylanta and Benadryl, gargle with it, it literally coats your throat so it doesn't hurt as much, it really works!

Wysteria_Rose
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My parents always taught us to use gargle warm (not hot but close) salt water for a sore throat. I HATE it but it WORKS. I remember doing it once when the pain was horrible that even my inner ears were shocked with pain each time I swallowed. Gargled salt water and all this phlegm came out on the first try.

Exotic Butters
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Also, cloves or clove oil for a toothache. I think oil is best. Couple of drops on a cotton ball and your numb.

Kate Hill
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Salt is anti inflammation. I use it as skin peeler, rub it on popped pimples, etc anywhere on the body you can use alcohol based products, salt is healthier.

Stan Chung
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Painful if you have ulcers but it works. Kills bacteria so quick. Cheaply too instead of those fancy gargles.

AR
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Probably because strep is caused by a bacteria that causes the inflammation, and non-strep sore throats are usually caused by nasal drainage from viral colds

AgingBull
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If I have a canker sore or really any type of mouth sore, a saltwater rinse after every meal and it's gone much quicker

Holy Shimmering Sheeps541t
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I occasionally get tooth ache that isn't tooth ache at all, flushing my sinuses with salt water (I use the sachet stuff from the chemist) clears it right up, I assume it's the start of some sort of sinus infection.

Lou Cam
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I get that all the time sinus infections that feel like all the teeth on one side are throbbing. Dental x-rays show my teeth roots all extend into my sinus cavity. So painful, feels like I want to pull all of my teeth out.

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Stacey Denyer
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can confirm this worked with my tonsillitis throat. For about 15 mins but it was something!

Debbie Parkinson
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was a dental assistant for 38 years and I will say this is 1000% true. In fact mouthwash can be bad as it has an extremely high content of alcohol. People think the burning sensation is doing good when most times it is doing harm.

Midoribird Aoi
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Also get antibiotics for strep! Unless you want consequences later on, aka rheumatic fever.

Natalia Linnik
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Did have strep and got prescribed antibiotics. Salt water gargle DID deliver a quick relief to my very painful throat. So DO use it with strep, soar throat, swollen gums, and abscess. Just with strep throat you do need antibiotics as well.

keyboardtek
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Salt water is the only thing that shortens the length of canker sores. Must use it four times a day to be effective. Mine would last ten days. Salt water cuts them down to five.

no Adhesivness2020
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I may catch a lot of grief for this, but my mother always 'painted' our strep throat with a mix of iodine and glycerin(as a bonding agent). She said she had a horrible case as a child, 1930's. and it gave her instant relief. Since I grew up, I modified the treatment to adding a few drops of iodine to over counter throat spray, The iodine kills the strep on contact.

Xenon
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sore throat and start of ear infection, gargle bourbon. Tilt your head and let that soak.

Janet L
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Also soluble Paracetamol dissolved in half a glass of warm water, gargled, then swallowed. Works wonders.

Panda Kicki
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wonder if this works the same way as when giving birth and you can get salt water injected under the skin, the pain triggers pain killing hormones and gives a few hours of relief.

Mary Ross
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

For toothache (when you can't get to a dentist), put clove oil on it. Find it at health food stores.

Memere
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Saltwater swish & gargle is also great after vomiting, clears out the nasty taste immediately.

MR
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Chew aspirin or put crushed aspirin on a toothache will numb it.

Rebecca McManus
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Cheapest dental treatment around, I used it when I had a manky tooth until I was able to pull the tooth out myself, being unemployed I couldn't afford the dentist

Sarah Goettge
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Also swish coconut oil in your mouth as you would mouthwash. I use both, I use mouthwash then the coconut oil. You only have to use the coconut twice a week, three times if you have a sore tooth. It soaks into the tooth where mouthwash does not. It has healed every sore tooth I have had since starting it. Don't be alarmed if your mouth aches a little, it's the coconut working on the bad stuff. Make sure to find some with a nutty flavor, it's the consistency of candle wax so it helps.

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While snake oil might be on the decline, there is no shortage of modern quackery, from medicinal Tibetan singing bowls to expensive dietary supplements that have minerals and vitamins found in the most basic veggies and fruits. These days, there is less pressure to persecute these salespeople, because, let’s face it, a fool, and their money will be parted pretty quickly anyway. 

#16

wearing sunscreen / spf everyday is the simplest, cheapest and very effective anti-ageing.

yet a lot of people still ignore, prefer overpriced overrated cream, facelift and some invasive surgery.

lavagyre Report

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Matthews
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not just aging. They prevent cancer and that’s enough reason for me to wear them.

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#17

"What Seems Like Snake Oil But Is Actually 100% Legit?" (50 Answers) I was suffering with plantar fasciitis for over six months. I tried new shoes, new insoles, pills, and physical therapy but none those things fixed it. A friend kept suggesting I try these gel toe separator things like they wear when painting toe nails. I thought it was silly but they were only $10 on Amazon, what do I have to lose? I wore the neon blue gel thing at night feeling very silly. After The first night my foot hurt like hell but after the 2nd it felt a whole lot better. I wore it for two weeks straight and plantar fasciitis was gone. Those things were like magic.

J-Frog3 , Stowyca Report

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Jill Rhodry
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've not heard of this one - I've had pf in one foot for over a year and it's excruciating - tried arch supports, insoles, massage, PT tape, night brace, arch strengthening exercises - it all works a little bit for a little while but nothing substantial - I'll give anything a go at this point.

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#18

Exercises that use just your bodyweight, like push-ups, bodyweight squats, stuff like that. Can legit be done in place of weight training if you're not just trying to get large.

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KombatBunni
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I joked to my daughter that her kitty was the perfect weight to hold while doing squats etc. he’s around 5kg and would happily sit in your arms while you work out :D Cat calisthenics anyone?

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#19

"What Seems Like Snake Oil But Is Actually 100% Legit?" (50 Answers) This is going to sound ridiculous, but infrared light therapy. I have an autoimmune disorder and some old injuries from childhood, so I’ve struggled with chronic pain and moderate-severe fatigue for most of my life.

After my first experience in one of those beds, I spent the next week or so with no pain and the energy to actually get stuff done without being even a little tired afterward.

I have no idea how it works, I just know that I don’t hurt now and my inflammation numbers have been cut in half. That doesn’t even happen on my immunosuppressant.

ShinyIrishNarwhal , Erwan Hesry Report

#20

Neti pot aka nasal saline douche is amazing if you have seasonal allergies, a cold or a sinus infection. Anecdotally it can also help reduce severity of COVID infections.

turdofgold , Wikimedia.Commons Report

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Lauren Baker
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Also, if you have frequent nosebleeds. I have had periods of time where I have nosebleeds nearly daily, some lasting for hours. Saline washes once a day stopped the nosebleeds. Of course, this won't help with ALL nosebleeds - it depends on the cause. But if your nosebleeds are from dryness or using nasal spray for allergies, this will probably work.

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#21

If you have a fireplace with a glass door. Wet some paper towel and dip it in the wood ash. Then wipe it liberally onto the glass so everything has a thin amount of ash paste on it, then scrub it and wipe it clean with another wet paper towel. Rinse and repeat for dirtier sections.

My wife and I spent hours trying to clean it before with detergents, vinegar, etc. But this had it completely cleaned and crystal clear in maybe 10 mins.

flamewave000 Report

#22

"What Seems Like Snake Oil But Is Actually 100% Legit?" (50 Answers) Breathwork.

I know I know you're like "Consciously breathing is stupid." But we unconsciously do it our entire lives and rarely think about it. Our breath changes based on our moods, thoughts, and actions. Have you ever forgot to breathe when you were lost in thought or worried? When you're angry, do you notice that you probably take shallow breaths in your chest? Our breath is the mind-body connection and can change our moods and minds in just a few minutes.

You don't have to go full Wim Hof, but these are great:
+ psychological sigh (2 count nasal inhales, long slow mouth exhale)

+ box breathing (inhale 4 count, hold 4 count, exhale 4 count, hold 4 count, repeat)

+ bedtime breath (nasal inhale 4 count, hold for 7 count, mouth exhale for 8 count)

Edit to add:
I love the free app Unwind. It’s simple, no sign ups, with 3 great timed breathwork options.

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#23

"What Seems Like Snake Oil But Is Actually 100% Legit?" (50 Answers) Epsom salt baths. They rapidly help recovery and I don’t know why I ever believed people saying it’s an old ‘wives tale’.

During the pandemic I rode my bike ~150+ miles a week, each day id do an Epsom soak for 15mins and I’d be good to go the next day.

Honorable second mention: Win Hoff method. Ice baths suck a*s. But they do your body wonders. I couldn’t get used to it, and bitched every time. But dammit do they help recovery time.

asian-jeff , Curology Report

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David A Paterson
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Epsom salt plus baking soda plus scent. Epsom salt for muscles, baking soda for smoothness, and scent for relaxation.

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#24

"What Seems Like Snake Oil But Is Actually 100% Legit?" (50 Answers) Cranberry juice. At the first sign if a UTI I drink a bit of natural cranberry concentrate in a big glass of water. I get immediate relief.

namaste_beach , Jez Timms Report

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David
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

NOTE - NOT the sweetened stuff which has so much sugar it cancels out the benefits of the cranberry. Sugar will feed that UTI.

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#25

"What Seems Like Snake Oil But Is Actually 100% Legit?" (50 Answers) Sleepy time tea. I always thought it was just a tea that’s nice to drink before bed but sleepy time extra actually puts my d**k in the dirt. Chamomile and valerian root are legit natural sedatives.

Next-Increase-9693 , Kübra Doğu Report

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#26

Hot water, baking soda, and aluminum foil to clean tarnished silver. I was amazed when I dropped in a piece and watched the tarnish disappear almost instantly.

Mension1234 Report

#27

Aloe vera for burns and skin conditions. Also, ginseng.

Wintermutemancer Report

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Firefly1617
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Isn't aloe Vera kinda common? Like, pretty much everyone I know knows it's good for sunburn

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#28

Tea tree oil for skin tags. Cover in tea tree oil using a cotton ball - you can tape the cotton ball over it too. In a couple of days it shrinks, dries up and falls off.

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Zephyr343
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I tie a piece of string or fishing line around it and leave it for a few days. Works the same

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#29

EMDR therapy for PTSD

Sounds like total b******t - and it actually works


Also for more complex subconscious memories - like early childhood core memories, there are reprogramming methods to change those entirely as well, but these require a lot more work with a specialized psychotherapist.

The human mind is highly pliable, the negative experiences of our past can be molded like putty into a new positive experience

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Scarlett O'Hara's Ghost
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My therapist sister tried for years to get me to do EMDR. I resisted because it sounded like hocus pocus to me. Now I swear by it. Things I haven't been able to even think about, I now openly talk about without repercussions

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#30

Not sure if this is mainstream now but air fryer

Game changer and so much better than cooking in the grill or oven

I don't really care that you don't use oil I just like how easy it is

I don't have kids but I'd like it even more if I did, it's so good at stuff like frozen chips or chicken nuggets

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Panda-sized Potato
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

An air fryer is just a smaller convection oven. They use the same process of circulating hot air with a fan.

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#31

"What Seems Like Snake Oil But Is Actually 100% Legit?" (50 Answers) Hopping on the opposite leg when you have water in your ear after swimming - works every damn time

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Lisa T
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have very narrow, weird shaped ear canals. Which is good and bad. Hard for water to get in, but even harder to get out. I use Aqua Ear, which is a dropper of alcohol that evaporates the water

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#32

I have serious, lifelong, horrible insomnia. I’ve tried every non-narcotic (and some narcotic) sleep aid you can imagine, melatonin is spotty and only works in the right conditions/makes me so groggy for 24 hours, benadryl is pretty terrible for you long term, etc. etc. etc. I tried valerian tea and it tasted like socks and did nothing. Then I learned that valerian takes a high dose to be effective, so I tried it in pills, and it seemed to help but it gave me a stomachache. Then a friend created a high dose valerian tincture for me. I swear on everything a dropper of that under the tongue for 2 minutes has almost the exact benefits as taking a xanax. You can properly feel it kicking in and you just drift off to sleep. There’s a reason they call it nature’s valium.

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#33

WD40 cleans candle wax off your living room carpet. If ever in doubt, consult an old housewife.

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#34

I had a couple mouth surgeries and was told putting a tea bag in my mouth would stop the bleeding. Bled non stop til I had a brew going on in my mouth

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#35

"What Seems Like Snake Oil But Is Actually 100% Legit?" (50 Answers) Talking to a therapist. With symptoms like IBS, insomnia, anxiety and depression it's really close to those "cure all" promises. And all that just by talking.

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Remi (He/Him)
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Only works if you also remember to rule out the purely somatic issues. For example I thought for years that my acid reflux was an anxiety symptom. Turns out no amount of therapy will help when the underlying cause is a hernia that's preventing the stomach from closing properly.

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#36

Rain-X and Bidet attachments. Not at the same time tho

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David
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

TOO LATE! The first sentence already triggered a mental video of the beads of water running off your bum! :)

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#37

Placebos are shockingly effective.

Not great, but larger than zero.

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#38

Dry needling.

The idea that you can stab me in select nerves with a needle and it will suddenly “fix” everything sounded like the epitome of b******t. However, I had a bad shoulder from my football days and it always was sore.

I went to a physiotherapist in Canada and they suggested dry needling + “the tumbler” (a high-intensity vibrating massager). I was skeptical, but I was losing mobility in my right arm; didn’t really have anything to lose.

I was converted after the first session. I recovered almost all my mobility in 2 session. The clicking in my shoulder stopped. It didn’t hurt to stretch anymore.

I don’t know who I could endorse this service for, but for me, it was a game changer and any time I hear someone talking about a shoulder pain, I point them towards this combination.

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Laughing Orc
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is dry needling the same thing as acupuncture? Because if so, I absolutely second this.

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#39

Arnica gel. My daughter's stepmum (K) was struggling with a heat rash for weeks and nothing she tried had worked. I told her my gran always swore by arnica gel for that. K bought some immediately, and texted me the next day to tell me that the rash had disappeared!

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David
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A friend of mine swears her bruises / other injuries heal faster with arnica. I'm talking about bruises and bumps and such. AFAIK she is not putting it on any cuts - external skin only.

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#40

"What Seems Like Snake Oil But Is Actually 100% Legit?" (50 Answers) Retinol.

One of the few ingredients in cosmetics that is actually scientifically proven to work. You do need to get the good stuff (depending on your country you might actually have to get a doctor's note to get the high concentration product) but it does improve your skin.

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#41

Apple cider vinegar can do a lot. There are some websites that tout it as a cure all. It's not, obviously, but things like rashes, sunburn, dry scalp or dandruff, etc, it really does work.

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#42

Tiger Balm.

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Claire Bailey
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You need the right of depending on purpose. The red one is warming, good for sore muscles, the white one has menthol and is good for colds and headaches.

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#43

"What Seems Like Snake Oil But Is Actually 100% Legit?" (50 Answers) Glucosamine supplement is my answer. I know the jury is still out on rather or not it actually helps with joint health, but I swear by it. One of my knees used to fatigue and ache super fast when I go out for a run, but after taking this stuff daily for a couple months it’s soo much better. Still sometimes I get some aches on runs, it isn't a miracle cure, but it’s soo much better than it was before.

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Donna Peluda
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This interesting. I give my dog a Glucosamine condroportector. I can visible notice when she takes it and when she doesn't. Just by the way she sit and lays down or get up. I give her w months then a couple of weeks break. I can tell by the 7th day of the break that she is less active, doesn't want to walk so much or need help to jump into the car. She's 14 and in the winter still can walk 14~15 km. Not bad for a 40kg dog with 3 knee operations.

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#44

"What Seems Like Snake Oil But Is Actually 100% Legit?" (50 Answers) that Liquid IV stuff. it's legit, it will give you a lot of electrolytes, probably way more than an average person ever takes lol. is it some sort of super energy drink or someting? nah, but if you are working out or doing some sort of a sport or a physical activity, it really does help you stay hydrated better, I personally think it's better than things like Gatorade.

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Lauren Baker
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1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Literally a lifesaver. I have a condition called POTS that causes tachycardia and frequent fainting. Drinking electrolytes/increasing your salt intake is one of the only ways to treat POTS. Plus, Liquid IV has less sugar than other "sports drinks" so it's healthier for long term use. Don't get me wrong, it still has sugar - just a lot less than things like Gatorade.

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#45

Herbal teas for ailments. I get very bad panic attacks, but drinking hot chamomile tea actually brings me "back down" when one tries to start. By the end of drinking a full cup of camomile tea, my panic attack is gone. Peppermint tea is really good for menstrual or any sort of muscle cramps (I have endometriosis AND adenomyosis and it works as well as an Advil for me). Peppermint tea also helps you sleep because it's a muscle-relaxant.

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#46

Tart cherry juice for sleep.

Hemorrhoids cream works for undereye bags just dab a tiny amount and don’t get it in your eyes. This also helps bruises go away faster.

Milk of magnesia to prime your face before foundation.. it will help keep your makeup on all day

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hillybilly gourdess
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1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Witch hazel is the ingredient in hemorrhoid cream that tightens tissues. I use witch hazel on a cotton ball before make-up in the morning and to take make-up off at night. Inexpensive and effective. Also helps the stop the sting and itch of bug bites

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#47

Direct Neurofeedback. Literal brainwave monitoring and real-time retraining, done subconsciously. It’s actually settled science, is being used by NASA and JPL, and is being tested on Parkinsons patients. Personally, it’s done wonders for my anxiety and depression.

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#48

Valerian is a very effective anxiolytic and sleep aid, and it's cheap and legal everywhere.


Applying apple vinegar to skin tags will result in them falling off in a couple of days.



The pain of a migraine can be drastically reduced by sitting down in the shower in the dark and letting warm water fall directly on your head.

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#49

The new electric-shock bands as treatment for travel sickness.

I have SEVERE travel sickness. Like, have had to call an ambulance before, get sick in some kinds of building, yes even if I am the one driving kind of travel sickness. I have tried every possible solution to this c**p.

A couple of years ago I found out of about the electric shock bands. The acupressure bands have always actually made me feel *worse* so I was skeptical, but I took a risk. They are straight up miraculous.

For example, my wife doesn't drive and her family live 3 hours away. Going to see them used to entail me taking medication and going immediately to bed on arrival and still feeling ill the next day. Now if I remember to keep the band on during the journey and for like an hour or so after the journey the effects are minimised so much its more like a mild headache.

Also in this category: travel sickness glasses. They look ridiculous, but they do have an effect. Not gonna stop you being sick, but they help a little.

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Animal Lover
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's called Relief Band. You use it with conductive gel. I have had mine for 15 years. I use it in the car, plane, boat and for pregnancy sickness. It is one of the best things I've ever bought.

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#50

"What Seems Like Snake Oil But Is Actually 100% Legit?" (50 Answers) I’m going to collect more data on this but personally for me

When I feel that scratchy feeling in my throat I drink a very small amount of everclear and avoid the week or two of coughing.

It’s worked 19 out of 19 times

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Zephyr343
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Everclear can also cure consciousness for the week. Anyone who has never had straight everclear, it tastes much like I would imagine turpentine to taste like.

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#51

Supposedly digesting Local Honey will stop you from getting seasonal allergies.

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Jus Frpn
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Depends on the kind of allergy. I tried this with a local honey specifically for allergies and it did nothing for grass or tree allergies.

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#52

"What Seems Like Snake Oil But Is Actually 100% Legit?" (50 Answers) If you have hiccups, just remind yourself you're not a fish. It'll fix your hiccups. Im not even joking

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#53

Magic Eraser

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#54

Nasal irrigation. If you have headaches that start in your back, upper teeth, it's probably a chronic sinus infection. Sinuses are empty spaces and channels in one's head. They fill with mucus and can simulate dental pain. If you don't have a nedi pot, you can use a coffee cup. Just snort slowly through one nostril, jiggle your head around while rubbing your neck and face for 20 second, then blow your nose.

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LadyVischuss
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

All ways use distilled water, never tap water. Use the salt packets for a good cleaning. Blow your nose one side at a time. You may be shocked at what comes out! Don't wait for pain, try to do it daily. I use one that is battery powered from Walgreens. If you're in a dusty/moldy area rinse asap. Prevent the pain before it starts.

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#55

I forgot what it was called but I couldn’t believe it actually worked, my grandmother would buy some cheap medicine from some small and frankly cheap looking stores

One was some sort of paste like medicine that was purple and smelled kind of funny, when I was young my brother accidentally slammed a door into my toe nail nearly breaking the whole thing off and splitting it in two

My grandmother then comes back to my family’s apartment and puts on the purple medicine on my toe, no joke when I say it healed in what, three to five days I think? Anyways my toenail is then fully healed, no pain or problems years after the accident

Too bad she didn’t have that stuff on her when I ended breaking my other toenail….

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#56

"What Seems Like Snake Oil But Is Actually 100% Legit?" (50 Answers) Snake oil. It is high in Omega-3 and an effective anti-inflammatory.

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#57

Spoonful of sugar to cure hiccups. Works for me every time.

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#58

Adults drinking pedialyte before a night of drinking.

Digging my fingers into my squishie to hold off hypnic jerk and sleep well.

Fancy tea tasting better than cheap stuff. Just got reminded today! I’ve been sipping on jasmine all day! So hydrated and happy.

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#59

Melatonin.

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David A Paterson
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Gives me nausea and makes me very drowsy for 24 hours. Melatonin is literally the only medicine that I react badly to.

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#60

Huffing isopropyl alcohol wipes for nausea

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#61

Warts. ANYTHING you convince someone will cure a wart, will cure a wart. You can pay a kid a quarter for a wart and it will disappear. You can paint it with fluorescent paint and shine a UV light on it and if they believe your trick it will go away. You can slap a bandaid on it and it will go away. This is well-documented. (I did a research project on the topic in the early stages of getting my doctorate.)

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OhnoI’vebeencensored
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So… placebo? I tried various things for years to get rid of warts on my hands, especially the painful ones at the ends of my fingers. In the end they spontaneously resolved.

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#63

Creatine monohydrate. The vast vast vast majority of muscle/strength building supplements are total garbage and won’t do anything at all for you. However, creatine monohydrate when taken at 5g per day (after saturation) has been shown to significantly increase muscular growth, strength, and even mental function in hundreds of studies. It isn’t magic and won’t turn you into the hulk, but if you are already doing well by training hard, eating enough, and resting properly then simply allowing your muscle cells to saturate over a few weeks can really make a difference in the gym. There is a myth that taking creatine will do things like cause hair loss and make you bloated with water weight. The hair loss is complete nonsense outright. The bloating is a misconception about how the water is stored when you take creatine. It is true that you will gain some water weight (usually 1-3lbs), but that water will be stored in INTRAMUSCULAR cells, not just randomly around the body to bloat you. In fact, that extra water in the muscle will actually make them appear slightly larger, which is a good thing! Creatine monohydrate is a great supplement that gets overlooked sometimes due to the rampant lying and scams in the fitness industry.

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Donkeywheel
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This was a statement by the creatine monohydrate producers association. With one truth though : just like everything else, « muscle/strength building supplements are total garbage and won’t do anything at all for you »

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