"Pseudo" meaning fake, combined with the word "science", is the field of study that focuses on the search for knowledge about the universe based on facts learned through experiments and observation. Pseudoscience has the guise of being real with the misuse of scientific jargon or the appearance of evidence but it lacks the major scientific aspects. It is rooted in scientific misunderstanding, scientific misconceptions, and the natural drive of people desiring easy answers or finding meaning in a seemingly confusing world.
To spot pseudoscience, one must be well versed in the real thing - not so much scientific facts, but having a sound understanding of how science works; understanding that science is a building of knowledge based on sound theories that are constantly tested and revised. It's about understanding what is required for evidence, testing hypotheses, drawing conclusions, and establishing theories.
Pseudoscience is indifferent to facts and disregards investigating directly. Instead, it picks and chooses evidence that suits their needs or simply touts bogus "facts" when necessary. In pseudoscience, information is rarely revised. Once touted as a profound discovery, the information is never changed, and as such the information or discoveries never progress. The research it is based upon is invariable sloppy. Pseudoscientists may reference anecdotal stories and cite other pseudoscience or mythological works instead of doing a legitimate scientific investigation. Thus it heavily thrives on confirmation bias.
Confirmation Bias: It may start with a hypothesis or research question, but only the evidence that supports it is accepted. Conflicting evidence is ignored, excused, explained away, or hidden.
Focuses, without skepticism, on alleged exceptions, errors, anomalies, and strange events.
Results cannot be reproduced or verified. Excuses are freely invented to explain the failure of any scientific test.
Personal stories or testimonials are relied upon for evidence.
Inconsistent and not interconnected; any part can be arbitrarily changed in any way without affecting other parts.
Argues from ignorance. The lack of a scientific explanation is used to support ideas.
Uses specially invented terms that are vague and applied only to one specific area.
Attempts to persuade by appeal to emotions, faith, sentiment, or distrust of established fact.
No peer review. Literature written for the general public without checks or verification
No progress; nothing new is learned as time passes. There is only a succession of fads.
Starts with a hypothesis and looks only for evidence to support it. Little or no experimentation. Conflicting evidence is ignored, excused, or hidden. The original idea is never abandoned, whatever the evidence.
Based on well-established, repeating patterns and regularities in nature.
Reproducible results are required for experiments. In case of failure, no excuses are acceptable
Personal stories or testimonials are not accepted as evidence.
Consistent and interconnected; one part cannot be changed without affecting the whole.
Argues from scientific knowledge and from the results of experiments.
Uses vocabulary that is well defined and is in wide usage by co-workers.
Convinces by appeal to evidence, by arguments based on logical and/or mathematical reasoning.
Peer review. Literature is written for fellow scientists who are specialists and experts.
Progresses; as time goes on, more and more is learned.
Hypnosis
Magnet bracelets/Copper Bracelets
Homeopathy
Accupucture/Accupressure
Cupping
Applied kinesthesiology
Reiki
Tarot Cards
Astrology
Big foot
crop circles
alien abductions
Chemtrails
Fluoride poisoning
Pseudoscience can be explored and enjoyed by those seeking alternative explanations to the world around them, but dangers await those who try and replace Science with Pseudoscience in their everyday life.
Alternative medicine is where Pseudoscience thrives. Pseudoscience claims to bring cures for various diseases and ailments. One of the largest Homeopathic Remedy Retailors "Hyland's" claims, "We name our products to describe what they treat," and then boasts labels that read "Pain Relief," "Cough Suppressant," and more. They back their products up with the idea of dilutions and successions, encouraging the consumer to believe there is science backing these claims. However, these pills are nothing but placebos, and if you follow up their claim on dilutions, you can find that there is no active ingredient in their medicine, as it has been diluted to the point where it is no longer there. Other types of alternative medicine also contain no evidence to lead one to a healthier life, and in fact, these treatments may generally harm you in the long run.
When discussing homeopathy, the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health concluded that there is no reliable evidence that homeopathy is effective for any health condition. Furthermore, the American Cancer Society states the dangers of all alternative medicines:
Delaying surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, or other traditional treatment by using an alternative therapy can allow cancer to grow and spread to other parts of the body.
Some complementary and alternative therapies have been reported to cause serious problems or even deaths.
Certain vitamins and minerals can increase the risk of cancer or other illnesses, especially if too much is taken. Some companies don’t follow Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rules about making claims and labeling supplements properly. In some cases, harmful contaminants can get into dietary supplements because of how they are manufactured or handled.
What is proposed by the NCCIH, basically states that when you follow alternative medicine, a large danger is not always the medicine itself, but instead the delay between your illness and actual medicine while the illness/condition is treatable. When one is ill with a condition that is life-threatening such as cancer, any time lost is a step closer to death.