She also pointed to the continued influence effect, a related idea, to highlight how pseudoscientific information can lead to real actions and decisions made by people. “This phenomenon is called the ‘illusory truth effect.’” “This happens even when we don’t remember where we learned that piece of information to begin with,” Kan said. She also said that research has shown that when people are familiar with something, they tend to trust it more, such as believing that being cold can make you sick. Irene Kan, an associate professor in psychological and brain sciences at Villanova University, said when a product or practice is advertised as natural, people may automatically assume that it’s good for them, and be less likely to engage in critical thinking - reading the labels or conducting their own research - surrounding it. “The one bit of good news is when you start talking about science to justify what you’re presenting, we, the research community, find it entirely appropriate to critique it against the standards of science," Caulfield said. He pointed to the cosmetics industry, where brands throw around such scientific phrases as “stem cells" and “cannabinoids.” I call that science-ploitation, using real science to sell pseudoscience.”Ĭaulfield said that research shows when companies use scientific-sounding language to sell their products, it makes their products seem more legitimate to consumers. “That makes everything that follows seem more legitimate. "Something The Goop Lab does is sprinkle in a bit of science by talking about some interesting, real research going on," said Tim Caulfield, the research director of the University of Alberta’s Health Law Institute and author of Is Gwyneth Paltrow Wrong About Everything?: When Celebrity Culture and Science Clash. But experts are cautious about the show’s approach to wellness, especially when it promotes “natural” practices - such as exorcism-like energy healing - alongside scientifically tested methods, like such as the use of psychedelics such as mushrooms in treating PTSD, anxiety and depression. Paltrow’s decision to show a real female orgasm on camera was hailed as revolutionary and bold. The show’s episode on female pleasure, which debunks myths about women’s genitalia and teaches a clinically tested orgasm technique, received praise from mainstream media for being anti-shaming and entertaining. Some of the content featured in The Goop Lab comes across as harmless, even educational. Another thing they try is the Wim Hof method, which involves jumping into an icy lake after meditation and breathing exercises.īut after settling a $145,000 lawsuit in 2018 over unscientific claims of what its jade egg can do, such as correct hormonal imbalances and regulate periods, Goop’s new show includes a disclaimer with every episode: “The following is designed to entertain and inform - not provide medical advice.” Goop employees are careful to say that when something works for them, it could very well not work for someone else. In the show, various Goop employees - a young and diverse crowd - try such health fads as vampire facials, in which the client’s own blood is drawn and applied to the face, supposedly to promote cell renewal.
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The six-part series covers subjects such as “energy healing,” exorcisms, and cold therapy. 24, Goop, actress Gwyneth Paltrow’s lifestyle company long criticized for peddling pseudoscience, launched its Netflix documentary series, The Goop Lab.