Snake Oil 2.0: What’s Old is New Again

Would you trust a snake oil salesman? Probably not. But what if they were charming, relatable, and had millions of followers on social media? From 19th-century patent medicines that killed babies to today’s influencers pushing detox teas and beauty serums, the tactic is the same: Sell the dream, skip the science.

Even some public health leaders are getting swept up in the hype — promoting treatments without solid evidence, questioning fluoride’s proven safety, and giving dangerous misinformation a platform. The more things change, the more they stay the same.

The Sweet-Talking Killer
Before TikTok and Instagram, salesmen sold dangerous, non-prescription concoctions with slick marketing. One of the worst offenders? Mrs. Winslow’s Soothing Syrup, introduced in 1849 by pediatric nurse Charlotte N. Winslow. Marketed as a miracle cure for crying, teething, and diarrhea, it became a household staple across North America and the UK.

Ads painted a peaceful picture of happy babies cradled by glowing mothers. What they didn’t mention was the syrup’s deadly secret: Each teaspoon contained enough morphine to kill a child. Thousands of infants likely died from overdoses or brutal withdrawal symptoms. Despite the carnage, the product sold over 1.5 million bottles a year by 1868.

It wasn’t until the 1906 Pure Food and Drug Act forced companies to disclose harmful ingredients that Mrs. Winslow’s Syrup’s toxic formula was exposed. Yet, it stayed on shelves until the 1930s.

Cracking Down on Dangerous Medicine
The 1906 Pure Food and Drug Act was a turning point. Thanks to Dr. Harvey Wiley, companies had to disclose dangerous ingredients like morphine, cocaine, and heroin. But progress was slow.

Stronger safeguards came with the 1938 Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, which required proof of safety before products hit the market. The 1962 Kefauver-Harris Amendment then demanded rigorous clinical trials to prove a drug’s effectiveness.

Today, those rules protect us from deadly, untested treatments. But the craving for miracle cures? Still going strong.

The New Snake Oil Salespeople
The old hucksters are gone, but their tactics thrive on social media. Influencers push beauty serums, detox drinks, and weight-loss supplements — often without scientific backing. Their secret weapon? Charisma.

Some genuinely believe in what they sell. Others just chase sponsorship money, pushing unproven claims with disclaimers buried under glowing testimonials. Worse, some public health leaders are fueling questionable trends.

Anti-fluoride movements and unproven vaccine alternatives gain traction, risking public health. Now, it’s not just personal health on the line — it’s public health. When influential voices peddle unproven treatments or undermine science, the consequences are real.

Buyer Beware — The Snake Oil Never Left
The allure of miracle cures and quick fixes never fades — it just evolves. From Mrs. Winslow’s deadly syrup to today’s slick social media campaigns, the tactics remain strikingly similar: make big promises, downplay the risks, and rake in the profits.

What’s changed is the scale and speed. Algorithms amplify false claims faster than any traveling salesman ever could. And when even trusted voices stray from evidence-based medicine, it only adds fuel to the fire.

The lesson from history is clear: Buyer beware. When marketing trumps medicine, the consequences can be deadly. Whether it’s influencers peddling unproven supplements or leaders promoting questionable health trends, skepticism is essential.

Snake oil never truly disappears. It just adapts.

Happy reading,

Suzanne Daniels

Enjoy the weekend!

Best,
Suzanne
Suzanne Daniels, Ph.D.
AEPC President
P.O. Box 1416
Birmingham, MI 48012
Office: (248) 792-2187
Email: [email protected]