What in the World
How can you spot a TikTok wellness scam?
Mar 20, 2025
Jacqui Wakefield, a BBC Global Disinformation reporter, dives into the murky waters of wellness scams proliferating online. She exposes outlandish claims, from slimming teas to gemstone treatments, all lacking scientific backing. The conversation touches on the disturbing rise of these scams on TikTok, their global impact, and the added risks in Nigeria and Latin America. Wakefield empowers listeners with key warning signs to spot false wellness claims, encouraging skepticism in a landscape filled with misinformation.
15:00
Episode guests
AI Summary
AI Chapters
Episode notes
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- The rise of social media influencers in the wellness industry has led to the rapid spread of misleading health trends lacking scientific evidence.
- Recognizing red flags in wellness claims, such as overly simplistic solutions and exaggerated issues, can help individuals avoid scams and prioritize legitimate medical care.
Deep dives
The Rise of Wellness Trends
The global wellness industry is a colossal market worth approximately $6.3 trillion and surpasses the pharmaceutical industry in size. This growth is fueled by an increasing number of individuals seeking wellness solutions, many of whom are drawn to trends promoted by social media influencers. Typical wellness influencers often present an aspirational lifestyle characterized by youth, fitness, and unique diets, which can attract followers looking for quick fixes to complex health issues. As these trends evolve, anyone can become a wellness influencer, further complicating the landscape by allowing misinformation to spread more widely and rapidly.
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.
