The term quack originates from quacksalver, or kwakzalver, a Dutch word for those who claim to have knowledge and skill that they do not possess, particularly in medicine. The quack makes exaggerated claims about his or her ability to heal a disease or condition, generally for financial gain.
As best I can determine, the term “quack magnet” is from ‘Science Based Medicine’ by Harriet Hall, MD. It describes those who, for a variety of reasons, are the primary target of “quacks” selling all sorts of devices, diets, supplements, etc that claim to cure a disease or condition.
Multiple sclerosis is a life altering disease that has no cure. Maybe I should say that again. Multiple. Sclerosis. Has. No. Cure. (yet). All the positive attitude in the world cannot completely overcome the misery of being sick with nothing available except various forms of symptom relief and this makes us….yes, I’m part of us…., desperate and vulnerable. That desperation for a solution makes us a magnet for people who want to profit off of it. We are quack magnets (get it?). Don’t like that? You shouldn’t like it. Feeling suddenly defensive? Don’t worry, I’ll soften the blow a little, in a later paragraph.
See the word “Cure”? That’s the key word. That’s what we, (desperate people), want. For legal reasons, quacks don’t use that word anymore. These days, it’s “Beat”, “Overcome”, and so on. Also note the phrases, “Secret Formula”, “No Other”, “Beware of Imitations”, etc. If a quack is to take advantage of you, their solution has to be the only one that works and can only be obtained from them.
See, if only their product, solution, method, or plan works, then obviously, if it didn’t work for you, you did it wrong, didn’t try hard, or long enough, or didn’t spend enough to get the genuine article. If you really want this to work, if you really want to be cured,…..oops..I meant, really want to beat this, you’ll buy my second book, the next ancient moon rock, etc.
But Ben, those are old advertisements from the dark ages or something. People are so much smarter, more informed, and less gullible now. Really, put “doctor”, “specialist”, and/or “science” in your ad today and see how many people blindly accept it as fact. Legitimate advertisers do it because it works so well. The difference is, they can usually back it up.
Because of my background, I am unimpressed when something is touted as “military grade”. A little digging will show you that the term basically means, “good enough”. Similarly, if you see, “studies show”, “experts say”, “science says”, etc, you owe it to yourself to not be automatically impressed and just take it on blind faith. Look at the images above again if you need to be reminded of those kinds of words used as endorsements.
I said I would soften the blow. If losing weight and exercising makes you feel better (it should, by the way), you should absolutely do it. A particular diet may ease some symptoms for you, but MS is different for all it’s sufferers, so what works (not cures) for one may not work for another. The same applies to supplements and even the various DMTs* available. Remember, if someone implies that MS is a one size fits all disease and that their solution is the only one, that’s a dead giveaway that they’re a quack out to separate you from your money.
Look, really, if it makes you feel better, happier, and doesn’t hurt you, or anyone else, then who am I to tell you what to do with your money? Just come to terms with the idea we’re quack magnets and make your decisions accordingly.
*Disease Modifying, Treatments