Mass homeopathy overdose planned for 30 January.

[Hillary]

http://www.1023.org.uk/

This is from the group's (called 10.23) website.

At 10:23am on January 30th, more than 300 homeopathy sceptics nationwide will be taking part in a mass homeopathic 'overdose'.

What is homeopathy?
Homeopathy is an unscientific and absurd pseudoscience, yet it persists today as an accepted complementary medicine.

Ask many people what they think homeopathy is, and you'll be told "it's herbal medicine" or "it's all-natural". Few realise that it's been proven not to work; even fewer know it involves substances so dilute that there's nothing left in them. Homeopathy takes advantage of this uncertainty to sit alongside real, proven medicines on the shelves of our major pharmacies.

The 10:23 Campaign
The 10:23 Campaign aims to raise awareness about the reality of homeopathy. We will tell you how it can be proven not to work, why homeopaths' claims are impossible, why you should care.

The campaign is organised by the Merseyside Skeptics Society, a non-profit organisation for the promotion of scientific skepticism. More information about Merseyside Skeptics is available on their website."

Edit - if this is in the wrong forum, apologies.

[DPDarkPrimus]

The 10:23 AM bit is clever but doing it at that time means there won't be as many people out and about to make a scene at.

[Thanas]

I don't get the 10:23. Why did they chose that time?

[Sinewmire]

1. Why do you call it the 10:23 campaign?

On January 30th 2010, campaigners up and down the country will be taking part in a mass 'overdose', swallowing a full bottle of homeopathic pills. 10:23 refers to the time of day at which the 'overdose' will take place.

We chose 10:23 because unusual times are more likely to stick in the mind, and as a reference to Avogadro's number, 6.022x1023.

Of course, it isn't really an overdose, because there is nothing in it; homeopathic remedies are just plain water, or plain water dripped onto sugar pills.

If you want to get involved, contact your nearest skeptical organisation.

From their FAQ section.

[General Zod]

I don't get the 10:23. Why did they chose that time?

It's a reference to the Avogadro constant, which is used in homeopathic "mixtures".

[mr friendly guy]

Ok, how much do you need to consume to be considered an "overdose" according to homeopathic "theory". Although I thought homeopaths drink fluids (which had been diluted) rather than swallow tablets per se.

[SirNitram]

Ok, how much do you need to consume to be considered an "overdose" according to homeopathic "theory". Although I thought homeopaths drink fluids (which had been diluted) rather than swallow tablets per se.

Just about all pills which are sold which haven't been tested by the EPA are homeopathic. One of the most notable brands is 'Airborne'.

[Johonebesus]

Ok, how much do you need to consume to be considered an "overdose" according to homeopathic "theory". Although I thought homeopaths drink fluids (which had been diluted) rather than swallow tablets per se.

Just about all pills which are sold which haven't been tested by the EPA are homeopathic. One of the most notable brands is 'Airborne'.

Is that the one that turned out not to be homeopathic, and in fact contained so much zinc that it kills the olfactory nerves, causing users to lose their sense of smell?

Anything that says it doesn't make medical claims can avoid FDA regulation (I assume that's what you meant instead of EPA). Vitamins and other supplements often brag about containing mega-doses, whether of real nutrients or of "herbal" ingredients. Some might put the word homeopathic on the packages just to avoid regulation or to lure customers who don't know what the word means except that it is supposed to be good, but most of the non-regulated supplements and remedies don't actually claim to be homeopathic. There is an exemption in the FDA statute sparing homeopathic remedies regulation, but then the FDA does such a worthless job of regulating that lots of products are able to get away with making medical claims, as long as they then say that their claims of relieving symptoms or improving health aren't medical claims.

As to the question above, bottles of water are more expensive to produce and transport, and fewer people are likely to believe plain water is beneficial than a sugar pill. A pill can be soaked in water to become homeopathic.

[Alyrium Denryle]

I think I may participate. Vocally ODeing on Zicam...

[The Duchess of Zeon]

Don't mess around with that stuff; it isn't just ineffective, it fucks up your nose real good.

[Alyrium Denryle]

Thats right, massive amount of zinc. Either way all I need do is go to walgreens and find something suitable

[SirNitram]

I'm gonna drink some of my antimatter-infused beverage.

[Invictus ChiKen]

I hope no one gets hurt. I get homepathy is 99.999999999999999% BS but some of it can fuck you up. The aforementioned shit with the zinc in it. I mean you can even die from drinking to much water...

An if people die over this and/or get sick it'll ruin the whole idea.

[Mr Bean]

I hope no one gets hurt. I get homepathy is 99.999999999999999% BS but some of it can fuck you up. The aforementioned shit with the zinc in it. I mean you can even die from drinking to much water...

An if people die over this and/or get sick it'll ruin the whole idea.

First off if you agree to take part and then don't double check you got something actually homeopathic... We'll call me unsympathetic to say the least.

Homeopathic sleeping pills are a popular choice for these sorts of stunts. Real sleeping pills are one of the most commonly used overdose suicide methods. And Homepothatic sleeping pills are nothing but water and caffeine (You know, a few molecules here and there) and the pill goo that's common to most pills that's neutral on your body.

[The Spartan]

Thats right, massive amount of zinc. Either way all I need do is go to walgreens and find something suitable

Be careful with that shit. That's zinc and you can OD on that stuff. Especially if you're swallowing zinc tablets. They recalled the nasal stuff because of the potential for damage to the olfactory senses and so there's only tablets left and consuming that much zinc can damage your stomach lining.

[Alyrium Denryle]

Thats right, massive amount of zinc. Either way all I need do is go to walgreens and find something suitable

Be careful with that shit. That's zinc and you can OD on that stuff. Especially if you're swallowing zinc tablets. They recalled the nasal stuff because of the potential for damage to the olfactory senses and so there's only tablets left and consuming that much zinc can damage your stomach lining.

Yeah, I didn't remember that it was a 10% zinc solution.... as opposed to a 6.22x10^-30 percent solution.

[Phantasee]

I'm more concerned that you're wasting zinc like this when we're heading for Peak Zinc in a matter of years (or have already hit it!).