Too Good To Be True: 49 Things That Look Like Scams But Actually Work

This is going to sound ridiculous, but infrared light therapy. I have an autoimmune disorder and some old injuries from childhood, so I’ve struggled with chronic pain and moderate-severe fatigue for most of my life. After my first experience in one of those beds, I spent the next week or so with no pain and the energy to actually get stuff done without being even a little tired afterward. I have no idea how it works, I just know that I don’t hurt now and my inflammation numbers have been cut in half. That doesn’t even happen on my immunosuppressant.

Neti pot aka nasal saline [jerk] is amazing if you have seasonal allergies, a cold or a sinus infection. Anecdotally it can also help reduce severity of COVID infections.

If you have a fireplace with a glass door. Wet some paper towel and dip it in the wood ash. Then wipe it liberally onto the glass so everything has a thin amount of ash paste on it, then scrub it and wipe it clean with another wet paper towel. Rinse and repeat for dirtier sections. My wife and I spent hours trying to clean it before with detergents, vinegar, etc. But this had it completely cleaned and crystal clear in maybe 10 mins.

Breathwork. I know I know you're like "Consciously breathing is stupid." But we unconsciously do it our entire lives and rarely think about it. Our breath changes based on our moods, thoughts, and actions. Have you ever forgot to breathe when you were lost in thought or worried? When you're angry, do you notice that you probably take shallow breaths in your chest? Our breath is the mind-body connection and can change our moods and minds in just a few minutes. You don't have to go full Wim Hof, but these are great: + psychological sigh (2 count nasal inhales, long slow mouth exhale) + box breathing (inhale 4 count, hold 4 count, exhale 4 count, hold 4 count, repeat) + bedtime breath (nasal inhale 4 count, hold for 7 count, mouth exhale for 8 count) Edit to add: I love the free app Unwind. It’s simple, no sign ups, with 3 great timed breathwork options.

Epsom salt baths. They rapidly help recovery and I don’t know why I ever believed people saying it’s an old ‘wives tale’. During the pandemic I rode my bike ~150+ miles a week, each day id do an Epsom soak for 15mins and I’d be good to go the next day. Honorable second mention: Win Hoff method. Ice baths [be bad] a*s. But they do your body wonders. I couldn’t get used to it, and bitched every time. But [darn it] do they help recovery time.

Hot water, baking soda, and aluminum foil to clean tarnished silver. I was amazed when I dropped in a piece and watched the tarnish disappear almost instantly.

Aloe vera for burns and skin conditions. Also, ginseng.

EMDR therapy for PTSD Sounds like total b******t - and it actually works Also for more complex subconscious memories - like early childhood core memories, there are reprogramming methods to change those entirely as well, but these require a lot more work with a specialized psychotherapist. The human mind is highly pliable, the negative experiences of our past can be molded like putty into a new positive experience

Not sure if this is mainstream now but air fryer Game changer and so much better than cooking in the grill or oven I don't really care that you don't use oil I just like how easy it is I don't have kids but I'd like it even more if I did, it's so good at stuff like frozen chips or chicken nuggets

Hopping on the opposite leg when you have water in your ear after swimming - works every [darn] time

I have serious, lifelong, horrible insomnia. I’ve tried every non-narcotic (and some narcotic) sleep aid you can imagine, melatonin is spotty and only works in the right conditions/makes me so groggy for 24 hours, benadryl is pretty terrible for you long term, etc. etc. etc. I tried valerian tea and it tasted like socks and did nothing. Then I learned that valerian takes a high dose to be effective, so I tried it in pills, and it seemed to help but it gave me a stomachache. Then a friend created a high dose valerian tincture for me. I swear on everything a dropper of that under the tongue for 2 minutes has almost the exact benefits as taking a xanax. You can properly feel it kicking in and you just drift off to sleep. There’s a reason they call it nature’s valium.

WD40 cleans candle wax off your living room carpet. If ever in doubt, consult an old housewife.

I had a couple mouth surgeries and was told putting a tea bag in my mouth would stop the bleeding. Bled non stop til I had a brew going on in my mouth

Talking to a therapist. With symptoms like IBS, insomnia, anxiety and depression it's really close to those "cure all" promises. And all that just by talking.

Rain-X and Bidet attachments. Not at the same time tho

Placebos are shockingly effective. Not great, but larger than zero.

Dry needling. The idea that you can stab me in select nerves with a needle and it will suddenly “fix” everything sounded like the epitome of b******t. However, I had a bad shoulder from my football days and it always was sore. I went to a physiotherapist in Canada and they suggested dry needling + “the tumbler” (a high-intensity vibrating massager). I was skeptical, but I was losing mobility in my right arm; didn’t really have anything to lose. I was converted after the first session. I recovered almost all my mobility in 2 session. The clicking in my shoulder stopped. It didn’t hurt to stretch anymore. I don’t know who I could endorse this service for, but for me, it was a game changer and any time I hear someone talking about a shoulder pain, I point them towards this combination.

Arnica gel. My daughter's stepmum (K) was struggling with a heat rash for weeks and nothing she tried had worked. I told her my gran always swore by arnica gel for that. K bought some immediately, and texted me the next day to tell me that the rash had disappeared!

Retinol. One of the few ingredients in cosmetics that is actually scientifically proven to work. You do need to get the good stuff (depending on your country you might actually have to get a doctor's note to get the high concentration product) but it does improve your skin.

Apple cider vinegar can do a lot. There are some websites that tout it as a cure all. It's not, obviously, but things like rashes, sunburn, dry scalp or dandruff, etc, it really does work.