NOT LONG AGO, I noticed a new term trending in social media wellness circles: "certified hormone specialist." I could have investigated it the old-fashioned way: googling, calling up an expert or two, digging into the scientific literature. I'm accustomed to researching suspicious certifications for my podcast, Con-spirituality, which covers how health misinformation metastasizes online. Instead, I tried something new.
I asked a couple chatbots: What training does someone need to specialize in female hormones? The bots pointed me toward an "advanced 12-month self-paced continuing education program in hormone health" run by Ashe Milkovic, a Reiki practitioner and homeopath. Then things really got interesting: "Alternatively, one can become an endocrinologist," the AI added, before citing the 13 years of education required, including medical school and residencies. For the casual reader, "alternatively" basically puts these two options on equal footing-never mind that one is a rigorous program rooted in science while the other is a yearlong course invented by someone with no medical background. When I asked ChatGPT-4 whether Milkovic's certification program is legit, it replied that the training is part of the field of "functional medicine," neglecting to mention that's referring to a pseudomedical discipline not recognized by any of the 24 boards that certify medical specialists.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
WHEN IN DROUGHT
This obscure yet adaptable grain could be a healthy staple for a warming planet.
GLOBAL WARNING
Why Project 2025 is an environmental catastrophe in the making
BAD HABITS
A spate of recent horror movies recycle tired tropes about nuns-and reveal society's ongoing discomfort with independent women.
Taking the Fifth For a glimpse of the Supreme Court after a second Trump term, look at the radical circuit court that's already driving America to the right.
Imagine obamacare is dead and millions of Americans have lost health coverage.
THE ARCHITECT
TRUMP WANTS TO BE KING. RUSS VOUGHT HAS A PLAN TO MAKE IT HAPPEN.
Losing Faith
As an evangelical leader, I enticed lawmakers and federal judges to adopt a conservative Christian agenda. Donald Trump’s rise proved how wrong I was.
GOD'S COUNTRY
These Christian nationalists have a plan to take over Americafrom small towns to the highest court in the land.
IN THE NAME OF THE MOTHER
How Shyamala Gopalan Harris raised a presidential contender
KILL THE MESSENGER
The anti-disinformation field is retreating under attack.
TRUMPNESIA
To get a second chance, Trump needs voters to forget his disastrous presidency.