That's very interesting.

Gross as hell, but very interesting.

I know that we have, probably, hundreds of little critters running around on and in us all of the time.

But I don't like to think about it.

>> ^rougy:
That's very interesting.
Gross as hell, but very interesting.
I know that we have, probably, hundreds of little critters running around on and in us all of the time.
But I don't like to think about it.


And that's just on our eyelashes.

I'm wondering if there's a chemical interaction from the worms, perhaps something they excrete, that is the source of the beneficial properties. If there is, chances are that it could be synthesized.

I don't think the video was suggesting there was a chemical involved, although I guess that would be an alternate explanation, alongside the usual placebo effects etc.

It seemed to be arguing the far more general point that having an idle immune system could make you susceptible to auto-immune conditions; conditions where where the body is attacked by it's own immune system. I have no idea if that's true or not, proper clinical trials would be needed, but I ain't volunteering!

Any House fans here? It's always Lupas.

Was she wearing anything under that lab coat? I enjoy wondering.

It's not lupus.

Also, quick note: allergy shots are fairly effective too (they cured me of my severe allergies) and don't involve things crawling around in your anus.

>> ^HollywoodBob:
I'm wondering if there's a chemical interaction from the worms, perhaps something they excrete, that is the source of the beneficial properties. If there is, chances are that it could be synthesized.


Apparently parasites excrete immuno-suppressive chemicals since they are foreign proteins inside your body. If you get hamburger stuck in your teeth and your gums get swolen - I think that's an example immune reaction to a foreign protein and why cows make such poor parasites. Drug companies are working on synthesizing it but I find it odd that people (some of whom actually die from these things) are going to wait 10-20 years before a product is brought to market when these worms are harmless except in really unusual circumstances and can't in any reasonable way be passed to another human being in any country with toilets.

Sarah Palin!!

>> ^ponceleon:
It's not lupus.
Also, quick note: allergy shots are fairly effective too (they cured me of my severe allergies) and don't involve things crawling around in your anus.


1) Allergy shots only work on a few things (cat dander, pollen... stuff you inhale). There's no allergy shot for MS, food alergies, Chrohn's, etc.
2) Allergy shots take years of injections to work and cost quite a bit. This would involve drinking a glass of water every five years and working right away.
3) Hookworks don't crawl around your anus. That's pinworms which are highly infectious to others and yeah - totally gross. Plus they're already common in the US. Hookworms you'd never see. The worms have a lifespan of five years and they're never a worm outside your intestines. Microscopic eggs are the only thing you could see if you wanted to inspect the contents of your toilet with a microscope. Also, it's basically impossible to pass them to others in countries with toilets. If you do have the conditions in your home to pass hookworms to others I am NOT coming to your house. ;-)