For Your Enjoyment: There probably aren’t going to be peer-reviewed studies about this concept, but it’s fun, and there’s real merit in that.
Ancient Modality: This practice is nearly as old as time—many find value in it, even if modern-day research hasn’t caught up yet (it’s possible the practice will never attract its attention).
Speculative but Promising: There’s momentum behind this concept, though it needs more research to elucidate exactly what’s at work.
Supported by Science: There’s sound science for the value of this concept and the promise of more evidence to come soon that may prove its impact.
These labels seem to only be applied to certain articles in the "Wellness" category, though Goop makes unbacked claims throughout their digital magazine, at their annual summits, and directly from the mouth of Paltrow. For example, at the January "Goop in Health" summit in NYC, where author Anita Moorjani told attendees she'd cured her cancer using self love.Rigorously Tested: The validity of this concept is pretty much undisputed within the world of M.D.’s, D.O.’s, N.D.’s, and Ph.D.’s.
Yesterday, in a long New York Times profile about Goop and Gwyneth Paltrow, author Taffy Brodesser-Akner shared the news that, in September, the brand would finally be hiring a fact-checker. Akner noted in her piece that Goop originally eschewed working under Condé Naste because: “Goop wanted Goop magazine to be like the Goop website in another way: to allow the Goop family of doctors and healers to go unchallenged in their recommendations via the kinds of Q and As published, and that just didn’t pass Condé Nast standards,” wrote Akner.While we don't know this future fact-checker's exact role in the company, it seems most reasonable that the digital magazine might be their first stop, especially given Goop's shiny new labeling system. Here are a list of posts that a fact-checker might want to study more closely:(Listed without label.)Goop's "Beauty & Wellness Guide" touts numerous ways to cleanse your colon, some of them via crystal decked spas, some of them DIY. Notably, Goop peddles a $135 coffee enema system called the "Implant O’Rama."The notion of colonic irrigation as a valid method of "detox" has been thoroughly debunked. Though enemas can be done safely as a precursor to anal sex, from a medical standpoint it's mostly considered the method of last resort for treating severe constipation. It can also be quite dangerous for those who are unfamiliar—outcomes can include vomiting and diarrhea, electrolyte imbalances, and in extreme cases, perforation of the rectum.
This study also cited the case of a 55-year-old woman with no history of other diseases (asthma, heart diseases, etc.) or history of reactions who went into a permanent coma as a result of the hypotension of severe anaphylaxis. She had attended apitherapy sessions every four weeks for two years.Paltrow herself has admitted to getting bee sting treatments.(Label: "Speculative But Promising.")According to Goop, even a decade after having a child, you can experiences symptoms like "brain shrinkage" as a result of "baby radar" from being hypervigilant in response to the needs of your child. It is unsubstantiated by modern medical science. While pregnancy does lead to long lasting changes in brain structure, whether it's from baby radar is hard to know, mostly because baby radar isn't an official medical definition or diagnosis. Whether Goop's "Mother Load" supplements do anything about this mysterious ailment remains to be seen.In sensitized persons, venom compounds can act as allergens, causing the release of mast-cell mediators and a spectrum of allergic reactions that can range from mild, local swelling to severe systemic reactions, anaphylactic shock, or even death.
And, as honorable mentions, two that Goop has already conceded to labeling "For Your Enjoyment":Goop calls these stickers "Body Vibes," and the website claims they are made of "NASA space suit material" that is "pre-programmed to an ideal frequency, allowing them to target imbalances." NASA was understandably not happy about this.The stickers also apparently "clear skin by reducing inflammation and boosting cell turnover."Goop claims that many of our problems come from the lack of a physical connection from "mother Earth," and that walking around barefoot a.k.a. "earthing" can cure a range of ailments from insomnia to literally everything that comes as a result of inflammation. From the interview with expert "Earther" Clint Ober:"The earth has an infinite supply of free electrons, so when a person is grounded, those electrons naturally flow between the earth and the body, reducing free radicals and eliminating any static electrical charge. The reason grounding is so powerful is it reduces and prevents inflammation from occurring in the body, which in turn prevents inflammation-related health disorders.As you might guess, Ober has a website of various products associated with Earthing practices, even though they aren't made of earth—despite my uncultured assumptions that perhaps these products had dirt shoved in them. According to Ober, these items are apparently, "constructed of carbon-based polyurethane" and can be plugged in."Carbon is a natural conductor, so when you connect the pad to the wire, which is connected to the ground through the ground port, you equalize the electrical potential of the mat with the earth, giving your body access to the planet’s free electrons," Ober added, in an interview with Goop. In this fashion, you could spend a large part of the day grounded, even if you’re working from a desk."Buying an "Earthing Grounded Silver Sleep Pad Large Kit" will set you back $190.Sign up for our newsletter to get the best of VICE delivered to your inbox daily.Follow Nicole Clark on Twitter.