How can you spot a TikTok wellness scam? - What in the World podcast, BBC World Service

Summary

In this episode of 'What in the World,' the hosts delve into the thriving global wellness industry, uncovering both legitimate trends and dangerous scams. From influencers promoting unproven remedies like apple cider vinegar and slimming teas to harmful practices such as delaying medical treatment, they explore how wellness fads can lead people astray. With stories from both personal experiences and global examples, including wellness scams in Nigeria and Brazil, the episode offers insights on how to spot these misleading trends and protect oneself from exploitation in the ever-expanding world of wellness.

Takeaways

• 😀 The global wellness industry is massive, worth $6.3 trillion, and continues to grow, with more people getting involved and profiting from it.
• 😀 Wellness influencers are typically younger, fit, and often present an aspirational lifestyle, but the profile of influencers is shifting as more people get involved.
• 😀 Wellness trends, such as apple cider vinegar and extreme diets, can become viral due to their simplicity, novelty, and promises of personal improvement.
• 😀 Many wellness trends are based on false claims and lack scientific backing, but they thrive due to the desire for quick fixes and improvement.
• 😀 Some wellness trends, while harmless, can become problematic when they cost a lot of money without delivering results, or when they lead to avoidance of necessary medical treatments.
• 😀 Influencers often build a narrative around wellness trends to create a 'character arc', using their journey to promote products and ideas.
• 😀 Men's wellness trends are gaining popularity, with male influencers shifting from self-improvement to wellness, tapping into a large, untapped market.
• 😀 Health and wellness scams are a global issue, with countries like Nigeria and Brazil seeing a rise in deceptive products such as slimming teas, herbal 'cure-alls', and unregulated fertility treatments.
• 😀 Vulnerable individuals seeking health solutions may be more susceptible to wellness scams, especially when influencers present unverified or false remedies.
• 😀 Red flags for spotting wellness scams include the presentation of problems that don't exist, overly simplistic solutions, conspiratorial claims about doctors hiding cures, and influencers profiting from the products they promote.

Q & A

What are some common wellness trends mentioned in the script that lack scientific evidence?

Some of the wellness trends discussed in the script include drinking apple cider vinegar for a 'glow-up', rubbing bee venom on the face to reduce wrinkles, and inserting gemstones into the vagina to regulate the menstrual cycle. These trends have little to no scientific evidence backing their effectiveness.

How does the wellness industry compare in size to other sectors like pharmaceuticals?

The global wellness industry is massive, worth $6.3 trillion worldwide, which is larger than the pharmaceutical industry. It continues to grow year on year as more people participate and new trends emerge.

What is the typical profile of a wellness influencer?

A typical wellness influencer is usually a younger woman who appears thin and fit, often showcasing an aspirational lifestyle. They promote wellness trends and products, which followers may aspire to emulate. However, this profile is starting to change, and now anyone can become a wellness influencer.

What led the speaker to explore the topic of wellness scams in the podcast?

The exploration of wellness scams was inspired by a Netflix program called 'Apple Cider Vinegar,' which dramatized the story of a wellness influencer who falsely claimed to have cured herself of terminal brain cancer through alternative therapies. This led to discussions about the wellness industry's practices and the validity of its claims.

What is the significance of the example where the speaker's sister, Suzanne, tried the banana diet?

Suzanne's attempt to follow a wellness trend of eating 40 bananas a day highlights how some people, including the speaker, fall victim to extreme or strange wellness diets. Despite the potential harm (such as excessive potassium or dental damage), this illustrates how easily trends can be followed without fully understanding their consequences.

What factors contribute to a wellness trend going viral?

Viral wellness trends tend to be simple, memorable, and offer a drastic change from normal behavior. Trends like cutting out carbs or drinking specific teas are appealing because they promise an easy fix or improvement in one's life, making them easy for people to latch onto.

What is the 'middle ground' in wellness trends, and why is it problematic?

The 'middle ground' refers to trends that don't harm you directly but also don't provide real benefits. These trends may be harmless in the short term, but they are still misleading and can waste people's time and money. The issue arises when people start to believe in their effectiveness despite a lack of scientific proof.

Why is it dangerous when people replace mainstream medical care with wellness products?

When people replace medical care with wellness products, they risk delaying treatment for serious conditions, which can lead to worsened health outcomes. Additionally, they may develop distrust in mainstream medicine, believing that unproven or 'natural' alternatives are better than doctor-recommended treatments.

How does the wellness industry affect both men and women?

While women have traditionally been the target audience for wellness trends, men are increasingly being targeted by influencers selling wellness products like supplements and protein powders. This shift is partly due to the growing interest among men in self-improvement, not just in financial or personal growth but also in appearance and health.

What are some red flags to look out for when identifying wellness scams online?

Red flags include claims of problems you’ve never heard of before, such as 'cortisol face'; oversimplified solutions like 'just take this supplement'; influencers suggesting that doctors are hiding cures; and influencers making money from the products they promote. These all suggest a conflict of interest and potential dishonesty.