"Similitude in Modern Pharmacology": two decades of studies contributing to the scientific basis of the homeopathic healing principle

Brain Wave Oscillations as an Objective Neurophysiological Biomarker of Homeopathic Subjective Well-Being

BACKGROUND

 Homeopathy uses the "similitude principle" to arouse a therapeutic reaction in the body against its own disorders. For this to occur optimally, the medicinal pathogenetic effects must present similarity with the totality of the individual's symptoms. To assess if this similarity has been successfully achieved, Hahnemann states that "improvement in the disposition and mind"-i.e., subjective well-being-is the most important parameter to consider.

AIM

 Our aim was to perform a narrative review of the literature, exploring what is known about subjective well-being as a marker of therapeutic action, and to formulate ways in which subjective well-being might be quantifiable and applied in future homeopathy research.

RESULTS

 The concept of subjective well-being has been extensively studied in the complementary and conventional medical literature. Improved well-being has been observed in clinical trials, including those in the fields of positive psychology and meditation. Positive subjective outcomes of this nature are supported by objective evidence through associated changes in brain oscillatory activity using electroencephalography and/or "brain mapping" by functional magnetic resonance imaging. Neurophysiological responses in the brain have been identified in subjects after they ingested a homeopathic medicine.

CONCLUSIONS

 The concept of subjective well-being is supported by a body of literature and is a measurable entity. When viewed from the perspective of electrophysiological changes, brain activity is an objective neurophysiological biomarker with a potential to quantify individual well-being in the context of homeopathy research.

"Similia Similibus Curentur": The scientific grounding of the homeopathic therapeutic principle through the systematic study of the rebound effect of modern drugs

• Homeopathy employs the principle of therapeutic similitude as a method of treatment. • Primary action of drugs is followed by secondary and opposite reaction of the organism. • This secondary and opposite reaction of the organism is namely the rebound effect of drugs. • Homeopathy employs the rebound effect of drugs in a therapeutic way.