Keep three things in mind when reading any science or listening to anyone referring to “what the science says."
Even following my three points above, science can still be skewed towards someone’s bias. We must be circumspect and thoughtful regarding science and follow people who know how to read it.
Good science is nuanced and complex. This is why misinformation spreads like a virus on social media. No one wants to hear and understand the complexities of science - they are far more likely to follow a fearmongering 30-second video or meme because it’s sharable and pushed up in your feed.
My biggest advice is to be curious and question everything you see, hear, and read.
It is a red flag if any doctor or guru says the science doesn’t matter.
- Is it top-tier science (Meta-analysis of all currently available papers and studies on the outcome in question)? A meta-analysis is essential because it refers to multiple studies. A jury wouldn’t accept one piece of evidence, right? So, never believe information that is based on just one study. It needs to be META.
- The science needs to be as current as possible. Science changes and should change. We are constantly getting new data. You need to make sure the research is current.
- The studies need to show outcomes in humans, not animals.
Even following my three points above, science can still be skewed towards someone’s bias. We must be circumspect and thoughtful regarding science and follow people who know how to read it.
Good science is nuanced and complex. This is why misinformation spreads like a virus on social media. No one wants to hear and understand the complexities of science - they are far more likely to follow a fearmongering 30-second video or meme because it’s sharable and pushed up in your feed.
My biggest advice is to be curious and question everything you see, hear, and read.
It is a red flag if any doctor or guru says the science doesn’t matter.