Magnetic Detox

“Magnetic” and “detox” are two buzzwords that usually indicate quackery is afoot, but scientists at Gyeongsang National University in South Korea have created a magnetic detox system that actually seems to work. Before we get to that, however, it’s probably a good idea to go over why these two terms are usually so suspect. Magnets are often sold as a cure-all in bracelet or mattress pad or necklace form. People who don’t understand science and want to take your money claim that magnetic fields have mystical healing effects on the body. They don’t. Mostly because they only thing in your body even remotely likely to be noticeably affected by magnets is the iron in your blood, and that’s not even a type of iron that’s magnetic. In other words, magnet therapy is crap. “Detox” is also often a scam. People try and scare you into thinking there are all sorts of deadly chemicals swimming around in your body do to living in the modern world. If only you had a colon cleanser or special diet plan to flush that shit out! The only problem is that these chemicals either don’t exist or don’t hurt you. The fact is, people are living longer than ever, despite our toxic diets and processed foods. Which leads us to magnetic detox. While it’s not much of a problem in developed countries, the third world struggles with lead poisoning, whether from fuel or other unregulated sources. But researchers have found a way to attach nickel-containing nanoparticles to a receptor that binds to lead in the body. This effectively magnetizes the lead and allows it to be drawn out of the blood. Pretty damn cool. And theoretically, this same technique could be used to magnetize and filter just about any unwanted toxin from the blood. Great news for nervous folks faced with a pop drug test? Only time will tell. More details here.