In the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, quackery has donned a white lab coat. Modern quacks rarely operate from riverboats; instead, they use sophisticated marketing, fake testimonials, and selective misrepresentations of science. Homeopathy, despite being biologically implausible (solutions diluted beyond the presence of any molecule) and repeatedly failing rigorous trials, continues to generate billions in revenue globally. So-called “alternative” cancer treatments—coffee enemas, laetrile (amygdalin), high-dose intravenous vitamins—have led patients to abandon effective chemotherapy, with fatal consequences. Even more insidious is the rise of “wellness” influencers who exploit social media algorithms to sell detox teas, unproven supplements, and immunity boosters, often with no evidence beyond anecdotal narratives.

These are prescription medications with massive clinical trials backing them.