The hottest Efficacy Substack posts right now

Supplements in the United States have a history of being unregulated and potentially dangerous due to a lack of oversight and testing.
The Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 removed regulations, allowing for the sale of supplements without proof of safety or efficacy.
Buying supplements is like buying gas from a guy on the side of the road - there's little to no assurance of what you're actually getting or its effects on your health.

The study discussed how weight loss interventions in children might not be as effective as previously thought. The research highlighted issues with how body size changes are linked to health outcomes.
The study pointed out flaws in assuming that weight loss directly improves health outcomes. It emphasized the importance of considering the impact of behaviors on health, rather than just focusing on weight change.
The study recommended being cautious about interpreting weight loss as the main driver for health improvements. It highlighted the need to question biases and assumptions about the relationship between weight loss and health outcomes.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) may not be superior to other therapies for treating mental illnesses.
Studies have shown that CBT is effective for depression but not significantly more effective than other psychotherapies.
CBT's reputation as the "gold standard" may influence people to choose it, but other therapies may be just as effective.

Plenity is a weight management device made of hydrogel particles that swells in the stomach to create a sensation of fullness, but it comes with risks like undernourishment and eating disorders.
Alli/Xenical/Orlistat is an over-the-counter medication that blocks fat absorption, claiming 5-10% weight loss with potential side effects like kidney stones and liver disease.
Both Plenity and Alli are unlikely to lead to significant weight loss, come with various risks, and lack long-term research on effectiveness and safety.

Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

The Pfizer vaccine showing 90% efficacy gives hope for ending the pandemic sooner than expected.
Essential workers should be a priority for vaccination due to their role in interacting with others.
Optimizing vaccine distribution by targeting younger, more active individuals first can greatly reduce viral spread and save lives.

The vaccines have shown strong effectiveness against symptomatic COVID-19 after full vaccination, making it difficult to contract the disease.
After vaccination, the risk of transmitting the virus and making others sick is extremely low, providing protection for both the vaccinated individual and those around them.
The vaccines have proven to be powerful against COVID-19 variants, with data showing high efficacy in preventing severe disease and even mild cases, emphasizing the importance of vaccination.

Vaccines do undergo placebo-controlled trials like other drugs, but it's more complex than just that.
The primary focus of placebo-controlled trials for vaccines is on efficacy, not safety.
Debating individuals like RFKjr who misrepresent vaccine trials can be challenging due to their ability to create confusion and introduce emotional arguments.