This is an interesting, yet flawed presentation of alternative "medicine" health strategies. Testimonials from practitioners are not challenged in a traditional reporting style question and answer format. This leaves many crackpots extolling the virtues of their unscientific therapies unchallenged as they speak. My biggest issue so far was related to the fasting episode. Specifically, a man with Mantle Cell Lymphoma (which I also have), claimed that after 2 rounds of chemo and intermittent fasting while on chemo, his scans came back "cancer free." If he was "cancer free" then why did his doctors have him complete 6 rounds of chemo? I had 8 rounds of chemo and after my 3rd round my PET scan was clear. My doctors explained my cancer wasn't gone and I was certainly not "cancer free" at that point. The medical fact is after your first few rounds the remaining cancer cells can become so dispersed and small that a PET scan doesn't detect them. So you STILL have cancer and you STILL need to complete all of your chemo. I focused on healthy eating according to the Certified Dietician's recommendations for all 8 rounds. The testimonial was false, misleading and dangerous for him to indicate 2 rounds plus hydration and fasting did anything to make him "cancer free." I agree with his nutritional and exercise approach post-chemo while he's in remission, but there is zero scientific evidence that his fasting will keep him in remission longer than me. I'm on a mostly plant-based diet (which I've followed for years) plus exercise every day (which I've also done for years). Despite strongly disagreeing with his conclusions on the role of fasting during his chemo, I wish him the best. We are both going to face health challenges in the future from this aggressive, incurable disease.
24 Reviews
Very Interesting but a little aimless
rovert-mccarthy12 July 2022
So it was very informative on how people can go way overboard with "naturals" so much so that they can put them selves and their family in a health deficit thru "naturals" that often (not always but often) don't do anything and ignoring the FACT that it's largely because theirs no proof it does work, and taking the placebo affect and things like spontaneous cancer remissions, or even what is often the result the medications that they were on and attributed it to whatever natural thing they were taking and took it as evidence that it's worked. There's also been no long term research done on these things and this documentary really shines a light on that falsity however, it lacks a conclusion or even a real direction. All the story's and testimonials from people are just done at random to no real end.
But hopefully people will start to understand that big naturals are no better than big pharma in terms of marketing and lac of accountability. Definitely worth watching it thru and see for yourself.
But hopefully people will start to understand that big naturals are no better than big pharma in terms of marketing and lac of accountability. Definitely worth watching it thru and see for yourself.
This might have been an interesting series...
LukeCustomer222 August 2020
But I felt there wasn't a lot of "there" / "there". Many of the episodes took on a lite throwing up of facts to let the viewer decide but you felt you really didn't get the full information just what might have been lying around. In particular the "fasting" episode shouldn't have been in this series. Fasting, even for 28 days, is by no means "fringe" and the story they put up of negative consequences simply didn't hold muster. Basic facts were not told to the audience making one question what exactly did happen in that particular case. In addition the nutritionist gave wrong information. Fasting has been proven not to lower your metabolic rate. Metabolic rate has been proven not to start to reduce for 14 to 21 days after reducing food. She needs to crack a medical journal. Someone needs to do a documentary on the failure of nutritionists and their deadly advice.
Disappointed
Annalovestvbutnottoomuch16 August 2020
When I heard about this new show, my expectations were high and I was excited about what they were going to say, but I have to say it's disappointing. I'd thought they'd delve deeper into the science, but the two episodes I've watched were quite superficial.
Fasting If you're gonna have an expert who talks about the dangers of fasting, don't get a "Health At Every Size" / body positivity / intuitive eating dietitian to talk about the science. Out of all the registered dietitians they could've asked they asked this woman. I've looked up her podcast and book and they're dangerous. The advice she gives in her book to people who are seriously allergic to certain foods but still crave the food is horrible. But I digress.. This isn't about the dietitian (though an episode on HAES and intuitive eating in S2 would be great!). The HAES types are about as anti-science as it gets in the confusing world of nutrition. When she makes claims about a study where fasting had a negative impact on cancer treatments, delve into the study. Don't just take her word for it. The same goes for the other side. There were some dodgy people making interesting claims on their side as well. I'd really hoped they'd thoroughly investigate the health claims. You can't debunk wellness myths without deep dives into scientific studies and their methodologies. I'm not sure anyone who has watched this has become any wiser on what exactly the science says, except for maybe the bit with the scientists from Italy. That part was kind of interesting, though also superficial.
Essential oils This is a topic I knew nothing about, so I was super interested to learn something new. A large part of the episode was about the history of Multi Level Marketing companies and how bad they are. Sure, they're bad. And sure, this whole essential oil thing is apparently a lifestyle for many of its users, but how exactly does it work? The cancer cure claims are nice and all but where's the proof. If you make a documentary, talk to her former doctors, find a way to collaborate the girl's story or don't use it. Now it's all claims, no proof, and we as watchers have to make up our own minds.
Conclusion Disappointed, but I'm hoping they'll make a second season where they do better. I'm giving it a 5 and not lower, because I did learn some things and it's entertaining.
(FYI, I'm from a country with a 1-10 grading system and a 5 is the first failing grade.. I've seen other reviews on other shows of people who gave a 4 and said it was a C, that's not how this works, in my opinion. :P)
Fasting If you're gonna have an expert who talks about the dangers of fasting, don't get a "Health At Every Size" / body positivity / intuitive eating dietitian to talk about the science. Out of all the registered dietitians they could've asked they asked this woman. I've looked up her podcast and book and they're dangerous. The advice she gives in her book to people who are seriously allergic to certain foods but still crave the food is horrible. But I digress.. This isn't about the dietitian (though an episode on HAES and intuitive eating in S2 would be great!). The HAES types are about as anti-science as it gets in the confusing world of nutrition. When she makes claims about a study where fasting had a negative impact on cancer treatments, delve into the study. Don't just take her word for it. The same goes for the other side. There were some dodgy people making interesting claims on their side as well. I'd really hoped they'd thoroughly investigate the health claims. You can't debunk wellness myths without deep dives into scientific studies and their methodologies. I'm not sure anyone who has watched this has become any wiser on what exactly the science says, except for maybe the bit with the scientists from Italy. That part was kind of interesting, though also superficial.
Essential oils This is a topic I knew nothing about, so I was super interested to learn something new. A large part of the episode was about the history of Multi Level Marketing companies and how bad they are. Sure, they're bad. And sure, this whole essential oil thing is apparently a lifestyle for many of its users, but how exactly does it work? The cancer cure claims are nice and all but where's the proof. If you make a documentary, talk to her former doctors, find a way to collaborate the girl's story or don't use it. Now it's all claims, no proof, and we as watchers have to make up our own minds.
Conclusion Disappointed, but I'm hoping they'll make a second season where they do better. I'm giving it a 5 and not lower, because I did learn some things and it's entertaining.
(FYI, I'm from a country with a 1-10 grading system and a 5 is the first failing grade.. I've seen other reviews on other shows of people who gave a 4 and said it was a C, that's not how this works, in my opinion. :P)
Remarkable treatment for today's rampant food based healthcare disasters with Academia's stool pigeon spouting Disinformation.
terryapo24 October 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Christy Harrison MPH RD, is a published author who's ideas concerning water fasting have been "approved" by the controlling Academia that has led the American people into the staggering ill health nightmares we're experiencing today. Soaring rates of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, anxiety, depression, stress related illnesses, and so on. And we arrived here on the recommendations of the Academic approved doctors and healthcare professionals. Still, Christy Harrison dares to lie outright, at one time comparing the dangers of fasting to long-term anorexia! The percentage of crossover between those two conditions is so negligible as to be laughable. She uses disinformation, misdirections, and extremism to demonize Fasting, instead of celebrating the outstanding worldwide results of reversed ill health by adopting this natural technique our ancestors encountered throughout much of our early history.
Smart polar delivery of insight. Very interesting!
joanapauperio27 August 2020
Really interesting the delivery of information on the therapies/trends and it's polarity.
Really focuses on showing how important it is that people uphold their own choices and decisions. Hope it inspires people to be more critical, to check information before acting, and hopefully to feel more empowered vs abdicating responsibility for their lives..
Pretty interesting as entertainment documentaries
sivanauske12 August 2020
My eyes came across this documentary and watched it without any expectations. It just got me interested in some things that are used for wellness and treatment as I did not know they existed. It did not get into the details of the directors background and other stuff that may influence the perspective provided the series, but from my point of view it tries to be quite neutral, show different opinions, some advantages and risks of one treatment or another. It does not say what is good or bad for us, it just shows that some people go too far and yes, there are some inspirational and phenomenal cases. It's all about to be smart and thoughtfull about yourself. In general - pretty good for a person without any expections or preconceived notions.
Could be dangerous
rarepeperonis25 August 2020
I always been super interested by wellness stuff and snake oil and why people believe in this so i was super stoked to see a series debunking these trends to maybe help some people realize that they are wasting money and energy in dreams and pseudo-science.
But they are not really debunking anything. You have a scientist that come on for 6 minutes telling you it's useless and dangerous for some episodes. But by the end of the episodes you completely forget about the scientific opinion or the woman who lost her husband and they go back to anecdotal evidence and how it maybe helped someone and it all finish with the person with the smile on their face saying it saved her life or whatever.
There is a slight glorification of the treatment talked about in each episode and i didn't really liked that.
And you never end an episode with a rock hard proof that something is useless or dangerous they leave everything to interpretation. I wanted them to go harder on the science and leave a little bit of the biased human experience of someone who goes there already believing it's gonna work.
It's alright i just hope it dosen't give the idea to vulnerable or deperate people to try these things.
But they are not really debunking anything. You have a scientist that come on for 6 minutes telling you it's useless and dangerous for some episodes. But by the end of the episodes you completely forget about the scientific opinion or the woman who lost her husband and they go back to anecdotal evidence and how it maybe helped someone and it all finish with the person with the smile on their face saying it saved her life or whatever.
There is a slight glorification of the treatment talked about in each episode and i didn't really liked that.
And you never end an episode with a rock hard proof that something is useless or dangerous they leave everything to interpretation. I wanted them to go harder on the science and leave a little bit of the biased human experience of someone who goes there already believing it's gonna work.
It's alright i just hope it dosen't give the idea to vulnerable or deperate people to try these things.
FDA warning letter
oceansd02113 August 2020
Dubious and reeks of agenda
mujali-4867712 August 2020
I wouldn't be surprised if this 'documentary' has been sponsored by big pharma, big food, or any other industry who might be hit in the pocket because of the ever-increasing amount of people who are realising that they have autonomy over their own health, and that resolution of issues needn't be expensive and that there are alternatives to the old paradigm of a pill for everything .I have just watched the episode on Fasting as it is something that I and millions of others have practised and had transformational results with. I know from first-hand experience that fasting resets the body, and can cure ailments far more effectively than chemical prescription drugs which come with a load of side effects and which treat the symptoms, not the cause. Yes a plan must be followed, obviously if you have been eating Macdonalds every day it would be foolish to then go on a 30 day water fast, but here you would just follow common sense and transition slowly. Our bodies have a remarkable ability to heal themselves, if treated properly and given a break from time to time, which is what fasting does. In this documentary Christy Harrison, who is apparently a medical doctor, does her utmost to discredit fasting despite the mountain of evidence that contradicts her blatant bias. There is a reason for that bias, it either has something to do with a monetary incentive, or she believes in an increasingly outdated medical paradigm which is all about symptom management and repeat prescriptions. There has been so much research done on how fasting not only extends life but enhances its quality through better health. Check out the work of Valter Longo. And also, Fasting is free, so if this programme wanted to show how the wellness industry is all about money-making (and no doubt there are some charlatans out there) this would be a bizarre example.
About ayahuasca ep.5
zivsoondie21 August 2020
I was pleasantly surprised the way they handled the subject. I did Ayahuasca three years ago and it changed my life. The stories are powerful and very moving, and different perspectives including the scientific is covered in a respectful way.
I also really liked that they included the perspective of the natives that have shared their medicines compassionately with the west.
What I feel is missing very often concerning documentaries on aya, is the fact that you are responsible to stay off medicines, drugs, alcohol and to cleanse and fast before the ceremony. The other thing is that unfortunalely aya is not healing in itself, if you are not surrounded by experienced, grounded and loving guides! The third thing is that aya requires you to work on your self and make necessary changes in your life, it is you who needs to do the work, and some experience with introspection and reflection is very useful before you choose to do it.
What I feel is missing very often concerning documentaries on aya, is the fact that you are responsible to stay off medicines, drugs, alcohol and to cleanse and fast before the ceremony. The other thing is that unfortunalely aya is not healing in itself, if you are not surrounded by experienced, grounded and loving guides! The third thing is that aya requires you to work on your self and make necessary changes in your life, it is you who needs to do the work, and some experience with introspection and reflection is very useful before you choose to do it.
Could have been great
vernigor15 September 2020
What an awesome idea to debunk pseudosience in a Netflix series.
But these documentaries don't do anything to support a scientific worldview or combat pseudoscience.
Such a missed chance!
Right of the bat, in the opening lines of each episode, there are judgments, but we don't need judgments based on who know whose opinion, we need a series like this to present products, highlight what's controversial about them, denounce any misinfirmation if it's out there, and present scientifically grounded and paracticle conclusions.
You can do better, Netflix!
Right of the bat, in the opening lines of each episode, there are judgments, but we don't need judgments based on who know whose opinion, we need a series like this to present products, highlight what's controversial about them, denounce any misinfirmation if it's out there, and present scientifically grounded and paracticle conclusions.
You can do better, Netflix!
Interesting.
rj-dore18 August 2020
I found the programme interesting, learning about unusual practices such as Ayahuaska which I had never heard about before this documentary. The only problem I found is that some of the science behind some of the episodes where controversial and overlooked, especially in the case of fasting. It is clear that the programme had an agenda to educate, but when it came to the fasting episode I feel it looked more into the extreme fasting rather than a focus on the healthy types of fasting that can be beneficial and has been scientifically proven to be healthy. I did feel it focused to much on the negatives within that episode, however, the rest of the show was very unbiased and balanced within its opinions on the subjects within each individual episode.
10 just for getting under the skin of pseudosciencers
edwin-wks14 August 2020
It is reassuring that Netflix has not placed Unwell in the Science category; Unwell is more suited for either Comedy or Horror. The claims made by these wellness warriors border on the comedic and the willingness of desperate naive people to be exploited by these narcissists is terrifying.
The opening sequence states that the wellness industry is a multi-trillion dollar industry and, I would hasten to add, only in developed countries. Wellness is a first world concept; people in other countries than first world do not have the luxury of such indulgences. Case in point, fasting. Millions of people around the world do not have food security and here we have examples of first world people voluntarily starving themselves.
I would correct the opening sequence to say "pseudoscience is a multi-trillion dollar industry". There is insufficient scientific evidence to substantiate any of these claims and there never will be. More studies should be done to examine the association between wellness warriors, conspiracy theorists and narcissists because there is clearly a pattern.
The opening sequence states that the wellness industry is a multi-trillion dollar industry and, I would hasten to add, only in developed countries. Wellness is a first world concept; people in other countries than first world do not have the luxury of such indulgences. Case in point, fasting. Millions of people around the world do not have food security and here we have examples of first world people voluntarily starving themselves.
I would correct the opening sequence to say "pseudoscience is a multi-trillion dollar industry". There is insufficient scientific evidence to substantiate any of these claims and there never will be. More studies should be done to examine the association between wellness warriors, conspiracy theorists and narcissists because there is clearly a pattern.
Spreading false information about fasting
qamzi90-313 August 2020
Probably sponsored by Big pharma and Big Food.
Do yourself a favor and read The Complete Guide to Fasting: Heal Your Body Through Intermittent, Alternate-Day, and Extended Fasting by Dr Jason Fung
Also watch his videos on YouTube to get a true understanding of fasting and it's benefits.
Finally a documentary on Netflix that sheds light on pseudoscience.
hmort115 August 2020
Finally a documentary on Netflix that sheds light on pseudoscience! We've been bombarded by documentaries that spread misinformation about vaccines, 'big pHaRMa', etc. These conspiracy theorists already are posting that this one MUST be sponsored by big pHaRMa and bIG fOoD!
Obvious agenda.
indivum14 August 2020
Does not say alternative memdicine is fake.
imdbid8418 August 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I started watching the show convinced, that it will negate that alternative medicine works, and hopefully show some proof for that. I realised that I was horribly mistaken and led on by the trailer. The show introduces some alternative medicine succes stories and a feaw warnings that some industries and teachers use pepole for money. It does not claim that it is all a hoax designed just to make money, it is implied thet just some of the industries do.
It's even worse than promoting alternative medicine, because it admits to flaws in the system without claiming that it is all a hoax giving fake feeling of being fair. Also I was expecting to see some front liners like homeopathy, neuropathy ets. but it has only esencial oils and some other less known practices. This too in my opinion gives conformation to more widely spread, but also dangerous alternatives.
Informative, but lacking conclusions
pedrohabib-1404929 January 2021
In general I found this documentary series very informative, it made me know several practices that I was not aware of. And it shows both sides of the coin. But I lacked that the series had concluded if the practices approached were good or bad, I understand that maybe this nape had been the objective of the series, but for me everything ended very "open"
Big pharma hates competition
trimblair31 October 2020
How far will you go for your health and well-being?
MNKim196717 August 2020
(UN)WELL, a docu-series by Netlix, explores some of the current "get well" fads (mostly) in Western cultures and how far some people are willing to push the envelopes to "get better". Most of the fads are just the evolutions of previous ones, i.e. burning patchouli incense to now ingesting and topically applying essential oils, taking LSD to now ingesting Ayahuasca, following a diet to now starving yourself (fasting), etc. The decision regarding whether the outcomes are purely psychosomatic or real is left up to the spectator.
Essential Oils are awesome
joeyford-5534222 November 2023
There are haters here. Doterra stole their whole game from Young Living and rode on their coat tails. Their stuff is not as pure. Gary Young was a great man, has saved lives. The company has gone down since he passed away. People who poo-poo Essential Oils have never tried them. Where do our drugs come from? Most come from natural sources, like Young Living. I mowed the grass and, being allergic to grass, was covered when the breeze shifted. I came in coughing and wheezing with a rash on my back. After a shower, the wife put lavender Essential Oils on back and POW, watched the rash disappear. Peppermint in doorways keeps bugs out. Frankincense on a scar made it disappear. It works. The people suing because they were "forced" to buy in ... reminds me of people who sue cigarette companies for their cancer. Weak sauce and weak people.
Waste of Time - "Complain Fest Show"
kennethdevans24 August 2020
Oh My Goodness! So much whining and foolishness on this show. The products work for some and don't work as effective for others. Big Pharma must have a big interest in destroying essential oils usage, as they continue to rob the citizens of our nation with price-gouging schemes. Clueless journalist story was petty and disgusting; lazy distributors and low-level complacency from individuals passing the blame for them not doing the work necessary to build a producing team and apathetic individuals passing blame for not doing their own research and information gathering before usage. I want my time back!
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