New Metro podcast reveals the dangers of fake ‘miracle cures’ on social media

Are you fed up of seeing bizarre, weird and sometimes downright dangerous ‘life hacks’ circulating your Instagram Reels or TikTok For You page?

If so, you’re definitely not the only one.

From combining cleaning products to get a sparkling clean bathroom filled with mustard gas, or slathering all sorts of weird and wonderful concoctions on your face to reduce acne, the internet has left us feeling spoiled for choice when it comes to unusual solutions for our life’s difficulties.

Sometimes it can be difficult separating fact from fiction when it comes to these online viral hacks – but thankfully, Metro has the solution.

Our brand new podcast, called Don’t Do That!, investigates a series of viral claims to see if they actually do what they’re supposed to, and to make sure they aren’t dangerous.

The first episode is already available on Spotify and other streaming platforms, and investigates whether ‘ear seeds’ are actually the cure-all they claim to be.

After Giselle Boxer sold her small metal balls to all six dragons on the BBC show Dragon’s Den, everyone wanted to know what the hell ear seeds were.

They are small, usually metal devices placed on the ear used for acupressure – a version of acupuncture but without the needles.

Users online claim they help to relieve anxiety and stress.

But he podcast, hosted by Julia Webster, discovers that ear seeds are neither ancient or Chinese as claimed.

In the podcast, Julia explains: ‘TikTok is not your doctor. Let’s find out if little metal beads are a full-body fix-all or a scam to make some Dragons a few extra quid.

‘Ear seeds are tiny metal pellets that are stuck on tiny pieces of adhesive that you stick on your ear, and depending on where you put it on your ear it can fix all sorts of problems.

‘Proponents of ear seeds will say that it’s an ancient Chinese medicine, but actually ear seeds are neither.

‘Ear seeds were invented, like, 60 years ago by a French neurologist.

‘From there people just ran with it, and claim ear seeds can fix anything, from pain or decreased fertility.’

Speaking to Dr Edzard Ernst, an expert in alternative medicine who has studied it for the last 30 years, Julia heard the definitive conclusion on whether ear seeds are a cure-all panacea: ‘It’s complete bull****.’

‘We did not find convincing evidence that it is helpful or effective for any condition,’ he added.

To find out more about ear seeds, check out the full Don’t Do It! podcast episode.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

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