jonathan_h
Established Member (Voting Rights)
There seems to be substantial, growing interest in this alt-med protocol among pwME if my Twitter is anything to go by—and not just among the people most into alt-med. So it seems worth being informed of.
The Born Free protocol is the creation of Joshua Leisk. Here’s how he introduced himself on s4me a couple years ago:
I gather he would not be the first IT professional to believe he had, working in isolation, achieved a Nobel-worthy breakthrough in a field he had no formal training in.
One striking thing about his protocol is how those interested in it talk about it: it’s rare to see it mentioned without also seeing lamentation of how difficult, confusing, and overwhelming it is. This makes a lot of sense when one views Leisk’s 54-page protocol guide. Below, I’ll mention a few things that stood out to me from my reading of it.
—The protocol guide begins with a list of the things it treats:
—Stage 1 of the protocol involves up to 50 different interventions—mostly supplements, but also significant dietary alterations and other practices (e.g. lymphatic massage). The protocol has 3 stages and adds further interventions on top of those from stage 1.
—Feeing more ill during the protocol is expected and explained by Leisk as a sign the protocol is working:
While some successful interventions have paradoxical effects, the implications of this stance, absent better evidence the protocol works, are troubling to me.
—Leisk shares his (in my opinion, patronizing and dangerous) views on PEM and the necessity of pushing through it:
This protocol’s substantial costs and risks, paired with growing community interest in it, are a troubling combination to me. I would love to see someone with relevant expertise examine in detail the scientific claims Leisk makes—I expect such a document would save some people money, time, and heartbreak.
The Born Free protocol is the creation of Joshua Leisk. Here’s how he introduced himself on s4me a couple years ago:
I gather he would not be the first IT professional to believe he had, working in isolation, achieved a Nobel-worthy breakthrough in a field he had no formal training in.
One striking thing about his protocol is how those interested in it talk about it: it’s rare to see it mentioned without also seeing lamentation of how difficult, confusing, and overwhelming it is. This makes a lot of sense when one views Leisk’s 54-page protocol guide. Below, I’ll mention a few things that stood out to me from my reading of it.
—The protocol guide begins with a list of the things it treats:
—Stage 1 of the protocol involves up to 50 different interventions—mostly supplements, but also significant dietary alterations and other practices (e.g. lymphatic massage). The protocol has 3 stages and adds further interventions on top of those from stage 1.
—Feeing more ill during the protocol is expected and explained by Leisk as a sign the protocol is working:
While some successful interventions have paradoxical effects, the implications of this stance, absent better evidence the protocol works, are troubling to me.
—Leisk shares his (in my opinion, patronizing and dangerous) views on PEM and the necessity of pushing through it:
This protocol’s substantial costs and risks, paired with growing community interest in it, are a troubling combination to me. I would love to see someone with relevant expertise examine in detail the scientific claims Leisk makes—I expect such a document would save some people money, time, and heartbreak.
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