The anti-parasitic drug mebendazole has shown preclinical efficacy in targeting multiple cancers, but experts say social media posts calling it a “cure” go too far. Additional clinical trials in humans are necessary to prove when, at what dosage, and in which treatment combinations it could make an impact.
Science
Thousands of excess deaths have been recorded due to intense summer heat, leading several social media posts — including some generated with artificial intelligence — to claim the heatwaves were manufactured by a space phenomenon known as solar flares. However, scientists said solar flares do not impact Earth’s surface temperatures and that heatwaves are instead worsened by carbon emissions.
Most milk sold in grocery stores is supplemented with vitamin D using an ingredient that is also found in some rat poisons, but the addition does not make the beverage dangerous for humans, as claimed in posts across social media. The poisons deployed to exterminate rodents use a high level of vitamin D that experts said is not comparable to the lower amount found in fortified milk.
The anti-parasitic drug ivermectin has been at the center of a sustained misinformation campaign by doctors who disagree with the scientific consensus that it is ineffective at treating Covid-19. With concern rising over the deadly outbreak of hantavirus on a Dutch-flagged cruise ship, ivermectin is once again being touted, without evidence, as a cure, often coupled with efforts to profit off sales of the medicine.
At an event to promote new dietary guidelines, US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. said the ketogenic diet, or keto diet, has been established as a “cure” for schizophrenia. But experts told AFP his comments overstated promising initial results from studies that examined the role of the high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet as an intervention for psychiatric patients who do not see relief from pharmaceutical treatments.
Danish farmers have raised concerns about the health of their herds following a mandate to lower methane emissions through diet alterations and video testimonies are spreading in social media posts claiming the feed additive Bovaer is killing cows. Denmark’s regulatory agencies opened an investigation, but there is currently no evidence the compound — which is used on a voluntary basis across 70 countries — causes cattle deaths.
Scientists do not fully understand what causes the chronic neurodegenerative disease Alzheimer’s, but they are examining a combination of genetic, health and lifestyle factors. On social media, false claims blaming statins — medicines that help lower cholesterol levels — are spreading despite research showing that a sustained reduction in “bad” cholesterol can actually help lower the risk of dementia.
In September 2025, the Russian Federal Medical and Biological Agency announced that its mRNA-based vaccine Enteromix had passed preclinical trials with promising results. Following this announcement, posts spread on social media in Africa claiming Enteromix was a “cure” for cancer. The posts also claimed the vaccine was ready for general use and would be available for free. However, oncology vaccine specialists poured cold water on the claims, saying reliable clinical evidence for Enteromix is not yet available. The Russian agency itself stated the vaccine is awaiting approval for the next stage.
US President Donald Trump falsely claimed Amish people living in the United States “have essentially no autism” during a White House announcement billed as offering findings on causes and treatments for the neurological and developmental disorder. Experts said he is misguided; autism does exist in the traditionalist Christian communities, which are known for rejecting modern technologies.
US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made several false or misleading claims as US lawmakers grilled him over his decisions to fire scientists and overhaul the nation’s vaccine policies during three hours of testimony before the Senate Finance Committee.