Narconon's Substantiation Rundown (part 2)

The Church of Scientology, masquerading under the pseudonym of Narconon UK - a dangerous and ineffective drug rehab programme - have made another appearance in the ASA's weekly list of very naughty boys.

(Image credit)

My original complaint can be read here. It's worth listing which misleading health claims the cult have been asked to amend or remove:

“Completion of this programme results in greatly reduced, or eliminated, cravings for drugs. Mental alertness and clarity of thinking improve; while drug induced depression often vanishes”

“Most people say it is the easiest withdrawal they have experienced”

"[The claim that] the goal of a new life for former addicts or alcoholics is routinely achieved"

“Our experience has shown that a person receiving a vitamin and mineral therapy will experience a far more comfortable withdrawal from all drugs including opiates

"Cal-Mag [can] restore any vitamin deficiency and relax cramping muscles [and] also helps a person relax during the withdrawal”

“Effective Solutions To Drug Addiction & Alcoholism"

“[The methods have been] tried and tested over 40 years”

“The effectiveness of the Narconon programme is documented by several formal studies and evaluations”

The graph labelled “Cocaine Washout Curve, Client 1”

The text that states “... The graph indicates cocaine residues being excreted in the sweat and urine of clients participating in the Narconon New Life Detoxification Programme who have previously to doing the Narconon Programme had a cocaine addiction”

All claims referring to vitamin treatments

This probably isn't the first time Narconon have been asked politely to stop telling porkies. The ASA website lists two previous resolved complaints - both in 2009. In 2003, Narconon lost an ASA adjudication over their claim to have "salvaged" 250,000 people from drugs:

"In upholding the complaint, the ASA said they were 'concerned that the advertisers had not proved that all those enrolled on the [Narconon] programmes were dependent on drugs at the time of the enrolment or that as many as 250,000 drug users had stopped using those drugs as a direct result of Scientology's intervention'..." (2003 Birmingham Post article)

It's worth noting also that false health claims like "The sauna programme produces spectacular results by removing drug residues and toxins" have been illegal in the UK since 2008.

Scientologists have their own version of the Ten Commandments, the so-called 21 Precepts. Here's a short list of the Precepts these particular Scilons have broken:

• 6. Set a good example
• 7. Seek To Live With The Truth
• 8. Don't Do Anything Illegal
• 11. Do Not Harm A Person Of Good Will
• 14. Be Worthy Of Trust
• 15. Fulfill Your Obligations
• 17. Be Competent

I've heard that the punishments for recalcitrants in the Scientology movement include incarceration, torture and forced labour. Does anyone have a phone number of the RPF?

Hermann Keppler's Optimum Bowel Functions

The College of Naturopathic Medicine can be relied upon to produce a few ASA complaints a year. This afternoon I paid another visit to their website.

(Image credit)

The College offers a range of diplomas and post-graduate qualifications in solidly scientific disciplines like, errrr, acupuncture, herbal medicine, homeopathy, iridology, reflexology, kinesiology and something called "Chinese Nutrition".

By the way, this is Hermann Keppler, who I think owns and runs the College. He's apparently a scientologist.

(Image credit)

Hermann is perhaps not as familiar with his Holy Texts as he ought to be, containing as they do instructions to

"...Set A Good Example... Seek To Live With The Truth... Don't Do Anything Illegal... Be Worthy Of Trust..."

Some good examples of not setting a good example - and of not not doing anything illegal - include the claims

"Whereas much modern medicine has unwelcome side effects, herbs can provide a gentle, yet powerful, solution to a wide range of physical and emotional problems."

and

"Iris signs can be interpreted by the trained iridologist to provide indications as to the patient’s general constitution and their genetic susceptibility to particular conditions, and whether their organs and tissues are inflamed, toxic or under stress."

and - worse still -

"Colon hydrotherapy is the most powerful method available for restoring optimum bowel function, yet is at the same time both gentle and rejuvenating."

I wonder if yet another ASA complaint will set Hermann onto the path of righteousness?

"The website promotes the College's alternative medicine courses, in support of which a number of health claims are made which I suspect are misleading.

1. ( http://www.naturopathy-uk.com/courses-eu/courses-acupuncture/ )

"Acupuncture has an extraordinary ability to change people’s lives. It works by releasing blockages to the body’s “qi”... Modern research suggests that qi may be a form of bio-electricity."

I challenge whether the claim that acupuncture "has an extraordinary ability to change people's lives" is misleading, and whether the claim "Modern research suggests that qi may be a form of bio-electricity" can be substantiated.

2. ( http://www.naturopathy-uk.com/courses-eu/courses-acupuncture/ )

"Acupuncture is viewed very positively by... the British Medical Association"

I challenge whether the claim about the BMA is misleading, because it appears to be based on research published eleven years ago. I can find no mention of the BMA's current views on acupuncture anywhere.

3. ( http://www.naturopathy-uk.com/courses-eu/courses-herbal-medicine/ )

"Whereas much modern medicine has unwelcome side effects, herbs can provide a gentle, yet powerful, solution to a wide range of physical and emotional problems."

I challenge whether the claim that herbal medicines have less "unwelcome side effects" than "modern medicine" can be substantiated, given that no clinical research exists for a great many herbal medicines.

4. ( http://www.naturopathy-uk.com/courses-eu/courses-iridology/ )

"Iris signs can be interpreted by the trained iridologist to provide indications as to the patient’s general constitution and their genetic susceptibility to particular conditions, and whether their organs and tissues are inflamed, toxic or under stress."

I challenge whether the claim that trained iridologists can identify inflammation and toxicity in internal organs can be substantiated.

5. ( http://www.naturopathy-uk.com/courses-eu/courses-colon-hydrotherapy/ )

"Colon hydrotherapy is the most powerful method available for restoring optimum bowel function, yet is at the same time both gentle and rejuvenating."

I challenge whether the claim that colon hydrotherapy "is the most powerful method available for restoring optimum bowel function" can be substantiated. I challenge whether the claim that it is "both gentle and rejuvenating" is misleading and irresponsible, given the known dangers of colon hydrotherapy.

6. ( http://www.naturopathy-uk.com/courses-eu/courses-chinese-nutrition/ )

"Chinese Nutrition can be used to assist a wide range of diseases and conditions, such as digestive problems, irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, diarrhoea, food allergies, weight problems, low energy, skin conditions, hormonal imbalance, and mental problems such as depression and anxiety."

I challenge whether the claim that "Chinese Nutrition can be used to assist" any of the named "diseases and conditions" can be substantiated.

7. ( http://www.naturopathy-uk.com/courses-eu/courses-reflexology/ )

"Energy, mood, circulation and immunity can also be enhanced."

I challenge whether the claim that reflexology can enhance blood circulation and the immune system can be substantiated.

8. ( http://www.naturopathy-uk.com/courses-eu/courses-herbal-everyday/ )

"How to detox yourself – Liver and Bowel herbs"

I challenge whether the claim that "Liver and Bowel herbs" can "detox" people can be substantiated.

9. ( http://www.naturopathy-uk.com/courses-eu/courses-homeopathy-everyday/ )

"You will learn how to use Homeopathy for..."

I challenge whether the claims that homeopathy can be used for injuries, bruises, burns, bites, stings, splinters, "recovery from surgery", dental work, joint sprains, fractures, "mental shock", grief, "acute infections such as ear aches, sore throats, cystitis, bronchitis, "acute digestive orders", the common cold, fevers, influenza, hay faver and "childhood diseases" can be substantiated.

I also challenge whether the claim that you can "use Homeopathy for... First-aid and travel kits" is misleading and irresponsible.

I've made some screenshots of the relevant pages, which are available at:
http://leicester.skepticsinthepub.org/FishBarrel/ci.aspx?id=g2yyZAeBqG
http://leicester.skepticsinthepub.org/FishBarrel/ci.aspx?id=LWZUatw2fm
http://leicester.skepticsinthepub.org/FishBarrel/ci.aspx?id=P40xSj061X
http://leicester.skepticsinthepub.org/FishBarrel/ci.aspx?id=omsc120BYz
http://leicester.skepticsinthepub.org/FishBarrel/ci.aspx?id=BnPqEMvfuM
http://leicester.skepticsinthepub.org/FishBarrel/ci.aspx?id=uYNqhnrdj6
http://leicester.skepticsinthepub.org/FishBarrel/ci.aspx?id=rYAsTwmt5W
http://leicester.skepticsinthepub.org/FishBarrel/ci.aspx?id=tREGzMh9TC

I can confirm that I have no connections with the advertiser or with the alternative medicine industry in general."

Criminon's Substantiation Rundown

Almost as infamous as Narconon, the Scientology front group preying on vulnerable drug addicts, are Criminon, a Scientology front group preying on vulnerable prisoners.

(Image credit)

In the UK, Criminon offers correspondence courses for those poor souls who've fallen foul of the eleventh commandment. The courses teach moral precepts which are mostly sensible, though hardly groundbreaking:

"Do Not Murder... Do Not Steal... Be Worthy Of Trust... Flourish and Prosper..."

The costs of the operation appear to be borne by ordinary members of the public, from whom the website solicits donations.

Rehabilitating an offender costs a bargain £75, but I wonder if any potential philanthropists have been swayed by the following, as yet unsubstantiated, claims?

"THE WAY TO HAPPINESS® Course is a proven effective tool in reforming offenders and in preventing criminal activity from beginning in the first place."

"It explains how and why one becomes addicted to drugs in the first place and then details an exact regimen – which involves the use of vitamins and exercise – for freeing a person from the grip of addiction, and all without medical substitutes."

ASA complaint follows!

"The website makes two claims for the effectiveness of its Criminon programme, a correspondence course which aims to rehabilitate offenders.

I'm challenging the claims because the website solicits donations of £75 from ordinary members of the public to fund the courses, yet I suspect the claims are misleading.

1. ( http://criminon.co.uk/changing-attitudes-to-crime.php )

"THE WAY TO HAPPINESS® Course is a proven effective tool in reforming offenders and in preventing criminal activity from beginning in the first place."

I challenge whether the claim that "THE WAY TO HAPPINESS Course is a proven effective tool in reforming offenders and in preventing criminal activity from beginning in the first place" can be substantiated.

2. ( http://criminon.co.uk/drugs.php )

"It explains how and why one becomes addicted to drugs in the first place and then details an exact regimen – which involves the use of vitamins and exercise – for freeing a person from the grip of addiction, and all without medical substitutes."

I challenge whether the claim that the Criminon programme of "vitamins and exercise" can "[free] a person from the grip of addiction" can be substantiated.

I've made some screenshots of the relevant pages, which are available at:
http://leicester.skepticsinthepub.org/FishBarrel/ci.aspx?id=wsI0euzFj2
http://leicester.skepticsinthepub.org/FishBarrel/ci.aspx?id=IyKyMasJHJ

I can confirm that I have no connections with the advertiser."

Narconon's Substantiation Rundown

The Church of Scientology is renowned for the bewildering array of front groups that surround it.

The most infamous one is Narconon, who happily promote a bogus therapy for drug addicts and alcoholics. Unfortunate and vulnerable victims are subjected to counselling, dangerous vitamin overdoses and countless hours in a sauna.

UPDATE, 21 Sep: The result of this complaint can be read here.

(Image credit)

Here in the UK, Narconon operate a Residential Drug Rehab Centre near Hastings. Eager for new custom - or should I say, "raw meat" - the Centre makes some rather unwise claims:

"Effective Solutions To Drug Addiction & Alcoholism Since 1966"

"Our methods have been tried and tested over 40 years. Most people say it is the easiest withdrawal they have experienced..."

"The effectiveness of the Narconon programme is documented by several formal studies and evaluations."

Are any of these claims true? Not according to all medical journals in the entire world, a search of which reveals no rigorous supporting evidence.

ASA complaint follows!

"The website makes a number of health claims which I suspect are misleading.

1. ( http://www.drugrehab.co.uk/ )

"Effective Solutions To Drug Addiction & Alcoholism Since 1966"

I'd like to challenge whether the claim that Narconon uses "effective solutions to drug addiction & alcoholism" can be substantiated, because I understand there is no published clinical evidence supporting such claims.

2.

"Our methods have been tried and tested over 40 years. Most people say it is the easiest withdrawal they have experienced..."

I challenge whether the claims "Our methods have been tried and tested over 40 years" and "Most people say it is the easiest withdrawal they have experienced" can be substantiated with published clinical evidence.

3.

"The New Life Detoxification sauna programme - The sauna programme produces spectacular results by removing drug residues and toxins."

I challenge whether the claim can be substantiated, because I understand there is no published clinical evidence supporting the claim.

4. ( http://www.drugrehab.co.uk/narconon_programme.htm )

"The premise of the NARCONON model is that a former addict or alcoholic can achieve a new life. This goal applies (and is routinely achieved)..."

I challenge whether the claim that a "new life" for drug addicts and alcoholics is "routinely achieved" with the Narconon programme can be substantiated.

5. ( http://www.drugrehab.co.uk/narconon_detoxification.htm )

"Effective Solutions To Drug Addiction & Alcoholism Since 1966 - Narconon - New Life Detoxification sauna programme... The sauna part of the Narconon programme dramatically reduces the levels of drug residuals and toxins in the body. An exact daily regime of nutritional supplements, supervised exercise and periods of time sweating in a dry sauna are used to rid the fatty tissues of these drug residues and toxins..."

I challenge whether the claims "The sauna part of the Narconon programme dramatically reduces the levels of drug residuals and toxins in the body" and "An exact daily regime of nutritional supplements, supervised exercise and periods of time sweating in a dry sauna are used to rid the fatty tissues of these drug residues and toxins" can be substantiated.

6. ( http://www.drugrehab.co.uk/narconon_detoxification.htm )

"Completion of this portion of the programme results in greatly reduced, or eliminated, cravings for drugs. Mental alertness and clarity of thinking improve; while drug-induced depression often vanishes."

I challenge whether the claim that the Narconon programme "results in greatly reduced, or eliminated, cravings for drugs", the claim that "Mental alertness and clarity of thinking improve", and the claim that "drug-induced depression often vanishes" can be substantiated.

7. ( http://www.drugrehab.co.uk/narconon_detoxification.htm )

"The graph depicts cocaine residues being excreted in the sweat and urine of clients participating in the Narconon New Life Detoxification Programme..."

I challenge whether the graph is misleading because it does not appear to be connected to any published clinical research.

8. ( http://www.drugrehab.co.uk/narconon_drug_free_withdrawal.htm )

"Our experience has shown that a person receiving a vitamin and mineral therapy will experience a far more comfortable withdrawal from all drugs including opiates. On the Narconon Withdrawal a person regularly takes a special dose of vitamins called a drug bomb and every 6 hours is also given Cal-Mag (a drink combination of calcium and magnesium) to restore any vitamin deficiency and to relax cramping muscles. The Cal-Mag also helps a person rest during the withdrawal."

I challenge whether any of these claims can be substantiated. I'd also like to challenge whether the promotion of a course of vitamin overdoses is irresponsible, given the known dangers of vitamin overdoses.

9. ( http://www.drugrehab.co.uk/graduate_success.htm )

"The effectiveness of the Narconon programme is documented by several formal studies and evaluations."

I challenge whether "The effectiveness of the Narconon programme" has been documented by any formal studies or evaluations whatsoever.

I've made some screenshots of the relevant pages, which are available at:
http://leicester.skepticsinthepub.org/FishBarrel/ci.aspx?id=rXTBBBQJ1E
http://leicester.skepticsinthepub.org/FishBarrel/ci.aspx?id=LA3dm83Iio
http://leicester.skepticsinthepub.org/FishBarrel/ci.aspx?id=BrmZdw6rAj
http://leicester.skepticsinthepub.org/FishBarrel/ci.aspx?id=JOxA41Tqjy
http://leicester.skepticsinthepub.org/FishBarrel/ci.aspx?id=JOxA41Tqjy
http://leicester.skepticsinthepub.org/FishBarrel/ci.aspx?id=dAckF8E7ZJ
http://leicester.skepticsinthepub.org/FishBarrel/ci.aspx?id=U7bg5fxLoF

I can confirm that I have no connections with the advertiser."

The Church of Scientology in London

One of the Church of Scientology's big cash cows are the collected works of its dotty founder, L. Ron Hubbard.

The Church's London branch sells several of them on its website.

(Image credit)

No need for any sarcastic commentary from me - the sales pitch provides laughs aplenty.

Let's start with Hubbard's best-selling work, Dianetics: The Modern Science [sic] of Mental Health.

"With 18 million copies sold, it is indisputably the most widely read and influential book on the human mind ever published."

"Indisputably" is quite a strong word for a claim disputed by almost everyone.

"That its importance was immediately recognized [sic] can be seen in the fact that within the first year of its initial release, more than 750 Dianetics groups sprang up in the United States."

The number of Dianetics groups still around in the second year of its initial release, by the way, is a number not entirely unadjacent to zero.

"Anyone who has not read Dianetics remains ignorant of the most important breakthroughs on the subject of the human mind."

This "most important breakthrough" is presumably "The way to make a million dollars is to start a religion". You'll probably recognise this quote as one by L. Ron Hubbard, author of Dianetics: The Modern Science [sic] of Mental Health.

The regulatory authorities are having a terrible time at the moment and I imagine they'd be grateful for a small comic interlude. ASA complaint follows!

"The website makes a number of claims which I suspect exaggerate the value of the books sold on the site.

1. ( http://www.scientology-london.org/introservice/books/dmsmh.html )

"With 18 million copies sold, it is indisputably the most widely read and influential book on the human mind ever published."

I challenge whether the claim that "Dianetics" is "indisputably the most widely read [sic] and influential book on the human mind ever published" exaggerates the value, accuracy, scientific validity or practical usefulness of the book.

2. ( http://www.scientology-london.org/introservice/books/dmsmh.html )

"That its importance was immediately recognized can be seen in the fact that within the first year of its initial release, more than 750 Dianetics groups sprang up in the United States."

I challenge whether this claim is misleading, because it ignores several contemporary sources which point out that, following the author's financial and legal problems, most of the "750 Dianetics groups" had disbanded within a year.

3. ( http://www.scientology-london.org/introservice/books/dmsmh.html )

"This book marks a turning point in man\u2019s knowledge and understanding of himself. It is the manual of Dianetics procedure. In Dianetics, L. Ron Hubbard details the dynamic principle of existence (Survive!) and provides the first accurate description of the human mind, what it consists of and how it operates."

I challenge whether the claim "the first accurate description of the human mind, what it consists of and how it operates" exaggerates the value, accuracy, scientific validity or practical usefulness of the book.

4. ( http://www.scientology-london.org/introservice/books/dmsmh.html )

"Anyone who has not read Dianetics remains ignorant of the most important breakthroughs on the subject of the human mind."

I challenge whether this claim exaggerates the value, accuracy, scientific validity or practical usefulness of the book.

5. ( http://www.scientology-london.org/introservice/books/cbcm.html )

"Clear Body, Clear Mind\u2014The Effective Purification Program, by L. Ron Hubbard, details his groundbreaking discoveries in this field. Discover the world\u2019s only all-natural, proven program to eliminate drug and toxic residues lodged in the fatty tissues of your body. Over 250,000 have done programs using these discoveries with spectacular success."

I challenge whether the claims that the programme is "the world's only all-natural, proven programme to eliminate drug and toxic residues lodged in the fatty tissues of your body" and that "Over 250,000 have done programs [sic] using these discoveries with spectacular success" can be substantiated.

6. ( http://www.scientology-london.org/introservice/booklets/drugs.html )

"There is an answer to drugs. Effective. Proven. The discoveries in the booklet, Answer to Drugs, by L.\u00a0Ron Hubbard, has salvaged lives ruined by drug and alcohol abuse. It gets results."

I challenge whether the claims "Effective. Proven." and "It gets results" exaggerates the value, accuracy, scientific validity or practical usefulness of the book.

7. ( http://www.scientology-london.org/introservice/booklets/drugs.html )

"Hundreds of thousands have freed themselves from the harmful effects of drugs and alcohol."

I challenge whether this claim can be substantiated.

8. ( http://www.scientology-london.org/introservice/books/sos.html )

"Built around the Hubbard Chart of Human Evaluation, this book provides the first accurate prediction of human behavior. Knowing only one or two characteristics of a person, and using this chart, you can know the rest \u2014 and thereby obtain an accurate index of their entire personality, conduct and character."

I challenge whether the claims "the first accurate prediction of human behavior [sic]" and "obtain an accurate index of their personality, conduct and character" exaggerate the value, accuracy, scientific validity or practical usefulness of the book.

I've made some screenshots of the relevant pages, which are available at:
http://leicester.skepticsinthepub.org/FishBarrel/ci.aspx?id=6DhvWV9BPw
http://leicester.skepticsinthepub.org/FishBarrel/ci.aspx?id=yz8qe1eVTL
http://leicester.skepticsinthepub.org/FishBarrel/ci.aspx?id=OwN0hbfowV
http://leicester.skepticsinthepub.org/FishBarrel/ci.aspx?id=lhBcxuHUrT

I can confirm that I have no connections with the advertiser or with the alternative medicine industry in general."

The Scientology "Superinjunction"

Superinjunctions are the big news of the week, but there's been one notable absentee from the Twitter rumour mills.

The Church of Scientology obtained an injunction as far back as 1995 to suppress a serious allegation of child abuse. The unfortunate victim, according to the allegation, was just twelve years old.

(Image credit - www.scientology.com)

The injunction is still in force.

Happily, I reason that it doesn't apply to me, because I've been out of the UK since February and knew nothing about the injunction until this morning, and also because this is a US-hosted website presumably enjoying First Amendment rights.

(Readers in Britain should probably close their eyes as they read the following paragraph.)

"The head of the Scientology school in East Grinstead was being called as a witness. She denied that a twelve-year-old girl had received a 'withhold pulling session' at the hands of three of the school's staff. To 'pull withholds' is Scientologese for making someone confess to their transgressions. Minutes of the schools board meetings had to be publicly available, yet the filed copy made no reference to the 'withhold-pulling' session. I obtained an unedited copy of the school's board minutes, which not only proved the headmistress's sworn statement untrue, but showed the school's attempt at concealment."

The allegation first appeared in the book A Piece of Blue Sky by Jon Atack. The full text of the book is available to read on the internet. My primary source is Carnegie Mellon University.

The full text of the injunction appears below.

1993 H. No.2412

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE

QUEEN'S BENCH DIVISION

Mr. M Bethel QC sitting as a Deputy Judge of the Queen's Bench Division

B E T W E E N

MARGARET ISHOBEL HODKIN - Plaintiff

and -

JONATHAN CAVEN-ATACK - Defendant

UPON hearing Counsels for the Plaintiff and for the Defendant

AND UPON the hearing of an appeal by the Defendant against the decision of Master Tennant given on the 26th day of April 1995 upon the hearing of the Plaintiff's Summons dated 14th March 1995, ordering that:

1 The Defendant's defence be struck out and the costs of the action be taxed and paid by the Defendant to the Plaintiff, the Defendant having failed to swear and serve one affidavit or affirmation completely of itself complying with the Order of 27th June 1984, and

2. that the costs of and occasioned by this application be paid by the Defendant to the Plaintiff in any event.

IT IS ORDERED that:

1 Appeal dismissed.

2. Defendant to pay the Plaintiff's costs of this appeal on an indemnity basis, such costs to be taxed and paid forthwith.

3. Judgment for the Plaintiff for:

(i) damages to be assessed; and

(ii) an injunction restraining the Defendant by himself his servants or otherwise from further publishing or causing to be printed published and distributed the book entitled "A Piece of Blue Sky" containing the defamatory words set out in paragraph 3 of the Statement of Claim namely:

"The head of the Scientology school in East Grinstead was being called as a witness. She denied that a twelve-year-old girl had received a 'withhold pulling session' at the hands of three of the school's staff. To 'pull withholds' is Scientologese for making someone confess to their transgressions. Minutes of the schools board meetings had to be publicly available, yet the filed copy made no reference to the 'withhold-pulling' session. I obtained an unedited copy of the school's board minutes, which not only proved the headmistress's sworn statement untrue, but showed the school's attempt at concealment."

or any similar words defamatory of the Plaintiff.

4. Defendant refused leave to appeal.

DATED this 18th day of May 1995

Fasting on Chinese Nutrition

I've just put in two new ASA complaints about a valiant bastion of resistance against the evil galactic warlord Xenu, namely, the College of Naturopathic Medicine.

(Image credit)

Leading a special fasting programme is Zoë Palmer-Wright, the beaming beauty pictured above (flyer available here and here).

Apart from the rather obvious effect of "weight loss", Zoe promises us her drastic weight-loss regime will

"...deeply cleanse your body tissues of wastes and toxins leaving you rejuvenated and energised!"

Hot on the heals of that bullshit claim is a flyer for something called Chinese Nutrition (available here and here).

For all you doubters out there, the college reassures us that

"Chinese Nutrition can be used to assist a wide range of diseases and conditions, such as digestive problems, irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, diarrhoea, food allergies, weight problems, low energy, skin conditions, hormonal imbalance, and mental problems such as depression and anxiety..."

Can the College substantiate any of these far-fetched claims? Or are all they too busy working towards their OTVIII? ASA complaints follow!

Fasting Week flyer

"I write to complain about a flyer I picked up at the CamExpo exhibition in London on 24th October this year.

The flyer, for the College of Naturopathic Medicine, promotes a "Fasting Week".

I suspect that the flyer may be in breach of two sections of the British Code of Advertising, Sales Promotion and Direct Marketing (CAP Code). I can provide the original flyer by post, if necessary.

1. The flyer is titled:

"Fasting Week: Detox your body! - A lighter, brighter, healthier you in one week"

2. The flyer continues:

"Join our guided juice/broth fasting programme which will deeply cleanse your body tissues of wastes and toxins leaving you rejuvenated and energised!"

3. The UK's leading authority on complementary medicine, Professor Edzard Ernst, has recently written about "detox" therapies [1]:

"Detox, as used in alternative medicine, is based on ill-conceived ideas about human physiology, metabolism, toxicology etc. There is no evidence that it does any good and some treatments...can be harmful. The only substance that is being removed from a patient is usually money."

4. Under Section 12.1, I challenge whether the advertiser can substantiate any of the following claims:

(i). Fasting can "Detox your body!"

(ii) The "guided juice/broth fasting programme" will "deeply cleanse your body tissues of wastes and toxins leaving you rejuvenated and energised!"

5. The flyer makes a number of claims for the health benefits of fasting. Under Section 12.1, I challenge whether the advertiser can substantiate their claim that fasting - for example, as practised in the flyer's "one week" programme - can produce the following benefits:

(i) "Feeling energised"
(ii) "Clearer and more radiant skin"
(iii) "Bright eyes"
(iv) "Better digestion"
(v) "Mental clarity and focus"
(vi) "Strengthened immunity"
(vii) "Help with specific health conditions", namely "skin problems, digestive disorders, allergies and fertility issues"

6. (i) One of the named "benefits of fasting" is, needless to say, "Weight loss". The advertised "fasting week" takes place in combination with a "guided juice/broth...programme".

(ii) Under Section 13.5, I challenge whether the advertiser has shown the "programme" is "nutritionally well-balanced (except for producing a deficit of energy)".

(iii) Under Section 13.7, I challenge whether the advert encourages users to take medical advice before embarking on the "programme".

7. I confirm I have no connections with the advertiser. I confirm I am not involved in legal proceedings with the advertiser.

Footnotes:

[1] Simon Singh, Edzard Ernst, "Trick or Treatment? Alternative Medicine on Trial", American edition 2008, p308"

Chinese Nutrition flyer

"I write to complain about a leaflet I picked up at the CamExpo exhibition in London on 24th October this year.

The leaflet, for the College of Naturopathic Medicine, promotes a postgraduate course in "Chinese Nutrition".

I suspect that the leaflet may be in breach of the British Code of Advertising, Sales Promotion and Direct Marketing (CAP Code). I can provide the original leaflet by post, if necessary.

1. The leaflet begins:

"Why study Chinese nutrition? In Ancient China nutrition was considered the primary medicine of choice: treatments such as acupuncture were tried only if the nutritional approach proved insufficient. In contrast to the Western view of foods, the Chinese philosophy encompasses the energetics of foods to provide a truly holistic treatment for internal diseases of all kinds."

2. The leaflet continues:

"The benefits of Chinese nutrition - Chinese Nutrition can be used to assist a wide range of diseases and conditions, such as digestive problems, irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, diarrhoea, food allergies, weight problems, low energy, skin conditions, hormonal imbalance, and mental problems such as depression and anxiety..."

3. The "Course Details" introduces two new "conditions" for which "Chinese Nutrition" offers a "treatment":

"...myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), fibromyalgia..."

4. Under Section 12.1, I challenge whether the advertisers can substantiate their claim that "Chinese Nutrition" can treat any of the following conditions:

(i) "Digestive problems"
(ii) "Irritable Bowel Syndrome"
(iii) "Constipation"
(iv) "Diarrhoea"
(v) "Food allergies"
(vi) "Weight problems"
(vii) "Low energy"
(viii) "Skin conditions"
(ix) "Hormonal imbalance"
(x) "Depression"

5. I confirm I have no connections with the advertiser. I confirm I am not involved in legal proceedings with the advertiser."

The College of Naturopathic Medicine Talks Shit

I haven't written nearly enough complaints about colonic irrigation - a bizarre and unpleasant therapy that is both ineffective and highly dangerous.

(Image credit)

How can I be sure? The UK's leading expert on complementary therapies has written:

"There is no reliable clinical evidence that colonic irrigation does any good at all and some evidence it causes serious harm by, for example, perforating the colon or depleting our body of electrolytes...Colonic irrigation is unpleasant, ineffective and dangerous. In other words, it's a waste of money and a hazard to our health."

A waste of money, eh? You'd never have guessed it from reading the College of Naturopathic Medicine's promotional flyer (available here and here).

"Colon hydrotherapy is the most powerful method available for restoring optimum bowel function... Colon hydrotherapy [has] a huge range of health benefits... including: Restoration of regular bowel movements - Improvements in conditions such as diverticulosis or [sic] irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) - Reduced gas or bloating - Clearer skin - Improved mental clarity - Increased energy - Fewer headaches"

I hope no-one falls for the College's faecal sales pitch. My contacts in the industry tell me there are already more therapists than customers - in fact, the only people making money are the ones selling the poo-extraction machines.

ASA complaint follows!

"I write to complain about a flyer I picked up at the CamExpo exhibition in London on 24th October this year.

The flyer, for the College of Naturopathic Medicine, promotes their courses in colon hydrotherapy.

I suspect that the flyer may be in breach of the British Code of Advertising, Sales Promotion and Direct Marketing (CAP Code). I can provide the original flyer by post, if necessary.

1. "Colon Hydrotherapy" is better known as "Colonic Irrigation".

2. The UK's leading authority on complementary medicine, Professor Edzard Ernst, has recently written about colonic therapies [1]:

"There is no reliable clinical evidence that colonic irrigation does any good at all and some evidence it causes serious harm by, for example, perforating the colon or depleting our body of electrolytes...Colonic irrigation is unpleasant, ineffective and dangerous. In other words, it's a waste of money and a hazard to our health."

3. Therefore, under section 12.1 of the CAP Code, I challenge whether the advertisers can substantiate any of the following claims, and under Section 3.1 I challenge whether they are misleading:

(i) "Many people are becoming toxic throughout their bodies, suffering from unexplained symptoms such as skin complaints and headaches, due to impaired colon function...As a natural medicine practitioner, you and your patients will benefit from adding colon hydrotherapy to your therapeutic armoury."

(ii) "Colon hydrotherapy is the most powerful method available for restoring optimum bowel function..."

(iii) "Colon hydrotherapy...is at the same time gentle and rejuvenating"

(iv) "Colon hydrotherapy" has a "huge range of health benefits" including "Restoration of regular bowel movements", "Improvements in conditions such as diverticulosis or [sic] irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)", "Reduced gas or bloating", "Clearer skin", "Improved mental clarity", "Increased energy", "Fewer headaches"

(v) "Colon hydrotherapy may also be useful in cases of circulatory, immune, inflammatory and weight problems when accompanied by diet and lifestyle changes"

4. I confirm I have no connections with the advertiser. I confirm I am not involved in legal proceedings with the advertiser.

Footnotes:

[1] Simon Singh, Edzard Ernst, "Trick or Treatment? Alternative Medicine on Trial", American edition 2008, p304"

Scientology vs. SLW (part 2)

My last complaint against the "Church" of Scientology didn't attract a lot of attention (hi, OSA!), so here's another one!

I don't know a lot about the "Church", other than it appears to be some kind of networking club for "Worst Actor" nominees at the Razzies.



In the UK, the "Church" has been distributing a flyer promising that, with their help, the "two in three people [who] suffer from STRESS at work" can "beat it". (The flyer is available here, here, here, here, here, here, here and here.)

But what about this claim?

"Listen. There's been a discovery about the human mind that is so simple, so incredible and so powerful that it makes psychiatry, psychology...obsolete. It's called DIANETICS..."

Dianetics is what Scientology used to be called before it was closed down in 1951 for "teaching medicine without a licence".

This claim also caught my eye:

"It can be proved and has been repeatedly proven that there is no other [source of aberration], for when that engram bank is discharged [by using Dianetics], all undesirable symptoms vanish..."

Those "undesirable" symptoms seem to include

"...stress, unhappiness... self-doubt... insecurity, negative thoughts, depressions, irrational behaviour... [being] tone-deaf... stutter[ing]... psychoses, neuroses, compulsions... the whole catalog of psychosomatic ills..."

"Repeatedly proven", eh? Not with clinical trials, obviously - according to PubMed, none have ever been published.

Let's see how much evidence the "Church" can supply to substantiate their claims. ASA complaint follows!

"I write to complain about a flyer I picked up at the "Mind - Body - Soul" exhibition in London on 2nd October this year.

The flyer, for the Church of Scientology, promotes a book and DVD set offered for £24.00.

I suspect that the flyer may be in breach of two sections of the British Code of Advertising, Sales Promotion and Direct Marketing (CAP) code (2010). I can provide the original flyer by post, if necessary.

1. The promoted book, "Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health", was first published in 1950. Its author, L. Ron Hubbard, later founded the Church of Scientology.

2. The flyer is titled:

"'Two in three people suffer from STRESS at work.' So how do you beat it?"

3. The front page of the flyer continues into page 3:

"Psychology labels people with hundreds of different 'disorders'. But these labels never really explain anything - and they don't give you a solution.

"Psychiatrists prescribe unpredictable drugs and talk about 'chemical imbalances' in your brain. They believe that the mind is a physical organ - a theory with no scientific basis.

"Listen.

"There's been a discovery about the human mind that is so simple, so incredible and so powerful that it makes psychiatry, psychology...obsolete.

"It's called DIANETICS.

"The fact is, there is a single source of all your problems, stress, unhappiness and self-doubt. It's called the reactive mind - the hidden part of your mind that stores all painful experiences, then uses them against you.

"Dianetics gets rid of the reactive mind. It's the only thing it does."

4. (i) The front page, page 2 and page 3 discuss further the benefits of Dianetics.

(ii) "Dianetics can bring dramatic and permanent improvement to people...all over the world...Don't live with insecurity, negative thoughts, depressions, irrational behaviour. Use Dianetics and learn to control your reactive mind."

(iii) "All over the world, people are using the breakthrough technology of Dianetics to make dramatic, permanent improvements to their lives."

(iv) "The reactive mind is the single source of all the pain and suffering in your life. It is the single source of all irrationality...It was L. Ron Hubbard's discovery that all the painful experiences of your life are contained in the reactive mind..."

(v) "Without a reactive mind, you will think clearly, act rationally and be yourself again. This state is called Clear. Tens of thousands of people are Clears...You can be too..."

5. (i) Page 4 of the flyer features an article taken from the advertised book:

"[The reactive mind] shuts off hearing recall...It makes people tone-deaf. It makes people stutter. It does anything and everything that can be found in any list of mental ills: psychoses, neuroses, compulsions...It can give man the whole catalog of psychosomatic ills and it is the only thing in the human being which can produce these effects...The reactive mind is the entire source of the aberration. It can be proved and has been repeatedly proven that there is no other [source of aberration], for when that [source of aberration] is discharged, all undesirable symptoms vanish..."

(ii) The quoted text is subject to a disclaimer:

"This article is part of L. Ron Hubbard's religious literature and works and is not a statement of claims made by the author, publisher, or any Church of Scientology. It is a record of Mr Hubbard's observations and research into life and the nature of man."

6. (i) I am not aware of any published clinical study which lends support to the flyer's claims for Dianetics.

(ii) A search of Pubmed using the search term "Dianetics" produced three articles, all written in 1950-1951. One of the articles was a critical book review; no abstract is available for the other two.

(iii) A broader search of Pubmed using the search term "Scientology" produced twelve articles, none of which were clinical trials.

(iv) After a careful search of the CAP Code, I was unable to find any exemptions for "religious literature" of the need to provide documentary evidence for claims capable of objective substantiation.

(v) Scientology is not recognised as a religion in the UK. In 1999, the Charity Commission refused the advertiser's application to register as a charity [1].

7. Under Section 12.1 of the CAP Code (2010), I challenge whether the advertisers can substantiate any of the following claims:

(i) "[Dianetics] is so simple, so incredible and so powerful that is makes psychiatry, psychology...obsolete."

(ii) "The fact is, there is a single source of all your problems, stress, unhappiness and self-doubt. It's called the reactive mind..."

(iii) "Dianetics gets rid of the reactive mind. It's the only thing it does."

8. Under Section 12.2, I challenge whether the claim that "[Dianetics]...makes psychiatry, psychology...obsolete" may discourage people with severe mental illnesses from seeking essential treatment.

9. Under Section 12.1, I challenge whether the advertisers can substantiate any of the following claims:

(i) Dianetics can "bring dramatic and permanent improvement" to sufferers of "depressions, irrational behaviour"

(ii) People "all over the world" have used Dianetics to "make dramatic, permanent improvements to their lives."

(iii) "The reactive mind is the single source of all the pain and suffering in your life. It is the single source of all irrationality..."

(iv) "Without a reactive mind, you will think clearly, act rationally and be yourself again. This state is called Clear. Tens of thousands of people are Clears...You can be too..."

(v) "[The reactive mind] shuts off hearing recall...It makes people tone-deaf. It makes people stutter. It does anything and everything that can be found in any list of mental ills: psychoses, neuroses, compulsions...It can give man the whole catalog of psychosomatic ills and it is the only thing in the human being which can produce these effects...The reactive mind is the entire source of the aberration..."

10. Under Section 12.1, I challenge whether the claim "It can be proved and has been repeatedly proven that there is no other [source of aberration besides the reactive mind], for when that [source of aberration] is discharged, all undesirable symptoms vanish..." can be substantiated.

11. I confirm I have no connections with the advertiser. I confirm I am not involved in legal proceedings with the advertiser.

Footnotes:

[1] http://www.charity-commission.gov.uk/library/start/cosfulldoc.pdf
"

*Scientology vs. SLW

After the 30th January 10:23 event in London, I had just enough time to nip over to Scientology's shop in Tottenham Court Road.

UPDATE, 24 Feb: ASA say that Scientology can continue to advertise personality and IQ tests; rest of my complaint is still under consideration

UPDATE, 3 Mar: ASA report "Based on the information you provided, it appears you have a valid point and, with a view to acting quickly, we have instructed the advertiser to remove the claim 'for a limited time'..." Epic win!

UPDATE, 18 Mar: ASA say "Further to my letter of 2 March, we have now received a response from the Church of Scientology. They have explained to us that the ad did not intend to refer to the OCA tests and noted that the ad did not mention the test specifically. They have told us that the ad was promoting a series of tests that are usually paid for but have been offered for free for a limited period. On that basis we do not consider the ad is likely to mislead and will take no further action. Because the test was offered for free for a limited period, they do not intend to use the phrase "limited time" in future material." (ASA Letter) Epic fail!

(Image credit)

I was offered a handout which I think might breach the CAP code for advertising. I'll let the ASA decide...

"I write to complain about a promotional flyer that was handed out to passers-by outside the premises of the Church of Scientology in Tottenham Court Road, London, on 30th January.

The flyer was entitled "Personality and IQ Testing". I suspect it is in breach of two sections of the British Code of Advertising, Sales Promotion and Direct Marketing (CAP) Code.

I can provide a copy of the scan by email, or send an original copy of the flyer by post, if required.

1. The Church of Scientology maintains premises at 68 Tottenham Court Road, London W1T 2EZ.

2. Outside this building, there is often a table-top display of books for sale. Especially at weekends, a member of staff can often be seen distributing flyers.

3. On 30th January I picked up one of the flyers. The text on the flyer reads

"PERSONALITY AND IQ TESTING

The Dianetics and Scientology Life Improvement Centre offers for a limited time, free intelligence and personality tests. Your IQ, personality and aptitude determine your future. Know them. No obligations."

4. The reverse side of the flyer identifies one of the tests as the "Oxford Capacity Analysis Test".

5. "The Oxford Capacity Analysis Test" (OCA) has been offered to the public, in the UK and abroad, continuously since at least 1960[1][2].

6. Section 2.1 of the CAP code states “All marketing communications should be legal, decent, honest and truthful.”

7. Given that the OCA has been offered continuously to the public since at least 1960, I challenge whether the claim that the test will be available for a "limited time" is truthful.

8. An official 1971 inquiry headed by Sir John Foster produced a report, "Enquiry into the Practice and Effects of Scientology".

(i) Chapter 5a of the report, "Recruitment", identifies the OCA as the first stage of a sales pitch for Scientology services, which are not free of charge. Innumerable sources[3] in print and in the media support this identification.

(ii) Section 131 of the report concludes "Taking the procedure as a whole, one is forced to the conclusion that the Oxford Capacity Analysis is not a genuine personality test; certainly the results as presented bear no relation to any known methods of assessing personality or of scaling test scores...."

(iii) Section 131 continues "No reputable psychologist would accept the procedure of pulling people off the street with a leaflet, giving them a 'personality test' and reporting back in terms that show the people to be 'inadequate', 'unacceptable' or in need of 'urgent' attention... To report back a man's inadequacies to him in an automatic, impersonal fashion is unthinkable in responsible professional practice. To do so is potentially harmful. It is especially likely to be harmful to the nervous introspective people who would be attracted by the leaflet in the first place. The prime aim of the procedure seems to be to convince these people of their need for the corrective courses run by the Scientology organisations." "

8. Section 3.1 of the CAP code states "Before distributing or submitting a marketing communication for publication, marketers must hold documentary evidence to prove all claims, whether direct or implied, that are capable of objective substantiation."

9. In light of Sir John Foster's report, I challenge whether the Church of Scientology holds documentary evidence to prove whether:

(i) the tests it offers are capable of testing intelligence;
(ii) the tests it offers are capable of testing personality;
(iii) the tests it offers are capable of testing aptitude.

10. I confirm that I have never had any connections with the Church of Scientology or any of the groups traditionally associated with it. I confirm that I am not involved in legal proceedings with the Church of Scientology or any of the groups traditionally associated with it.

11. I confirm that I am happy to be identified as the complainant.

Footnotes:

[1] L. Ron Hubbard, "New Testing Promotion Section", HCO Policy Letter of 28 October 1960

[2] L. Ron Hubbard, "Testing Promotion Revised", HCO Policy Letter of 24 November 1960

[3] "This test accurately measures the preclear's estimation of ten different personality traits. These rise markedly in auditing, reflecting the preclear's gains. Preclears report being calmer, more stable, more energetic and more outgoing as a direct result of auditing and scores on the OCA furnish corroborative data [...]

A vital tool in Expanded Dianetics is the Oxford Capacity Analysis. An important use of this profile is to inprove specific personality traits with Expanded Dianetics procedures. The OCA helps locate deep-seated pockets of aberration which can then be addressed and erased with these precise auditing techniques."

[What Is Scientology? (1992), pp. 163, 220] "