Beyond the detox myth: A corpus-assisted discourse study of science and pseudoscience online

Abstract

This paper explores the intersection of science and pseudoscience in online discourse about detoxification, investigating how and to what extent they coexist on the web. Drawing on previous studies of internet health scams, it examines the discursive strategies used to either validate or refute alternative detox treatments. Using a corpus-assisted discourse studies approach, the study analyses a corpus of texts (167,177 tokens) about detoxification randomly collected from the web. The results show that corrective messages debunking the detox myth make up less than 10% of the corpus. Furthermore, many keywords in the corpus, such as “toxin(s),” are subject to constant renegotiation. Advocates of alternative medicine use the term “toxin(s)” to justify detox treatments, while scientists criticize it as pseudoscientific. The study highlights how terminological ambiguity facilitates the mixing of science and pseudoscience, confusing readers. It also highlights the role of language in health-related misinformation and calls for interdisciplinary research to develop educational tools for health professionals.