Over-the-counter medications are easy to buy, familiar, and often assumed to be the obvious first choice. But not every product on the pharmacy shelf is equally useful, and some are supported by much stronger evidence than others.

In this episode of No Filter Doctor, I review common OTC medications that are worth rethinking. Some have limited evidence that they actually work. Some are effective but should only be used for a short period of time. Others may be reasonable medications, but not the best option available. And some are simply overpriced versions of cheaper alternatives.

This episode covers common products used for congestion, cough, constipation, allergies, red eyes, earwax, minor wounds, itching, and pediatric fever or pain. The goal is not to scare people away from FDA approved medications. The goal is to help listeners make better informed decisions before spending money in the pharmacy aisle.

Read the full blog: https://thewholehumanhealthandwellbeing.com/over-the-counter-medications-to-avoid/

In Part 1, we examined how the research system can influence what gets published and promoted. In Part 2, the focus shifts to how individual studies are interpreted and how that interpretation is often distorted, particularly in wellness marketing.

I’m joined again by Dr. Josh Davis, a medical research educator, to break down how study design, statistical framing, and data presentation can shape conclusions that sound convincing but may not reflect the full picture.

We discuss how relative risk can exaggerate findings, why small or poorly designed studies are still frequently cited, and how selective reporting can create a narrative that supports a product rather than the underlying evidence. These are common tactics behind claims that are described as “backed by research.”

This episode is designed to help you evaluate whether a study actually supports the claim being made, rather than simply accepting that a study exists.

Read the full blog: https://thewholehumanhealthandwellbeing.com/how-to-spot-pseudoscience-part-2-the-truth-about-study-design-and-data-bias/

Wellness influencers and companies often cite “studies” to support their claims. But not all research is created equal, and not everything labeled as a study should be trusted.

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Josh Davis, a medical research educator who teaches medical students how to critically evaluate scientific literature. This is Part 1 of our discussion, where we focus on the systems behind research and why they matter when you are trying to decide what to trust.

We break down how predatory journals, lack of true peer review, publication bias, and funding pressures can all influence what gets published and promoted. More importantly, we discuss how these issues are often leveraged in marketing to give products and treatments a sense of legitimacy they may not deserve.

This is not about dismissing research. It is about understanding how to interpret it so you can separate meaningful evidence from material that is being used to sell you something.

If you have ever seen a product backed by “studies” and wondered whether that actually means anything, this episode will give you a clearer framework for evaluating those claims.

Read the full blog that inspired this episode: https://thewholehumanhealthandwellbeing.com/how-to-spot-pseudoscience-5-hidden-reasons-research-cant-always-be-trusted/