Re: Actual benefits versus Placebo

Of course there could be placebo effects. In my case, any noticeable benefits are very slow to come from OP. From what I read, it sounds like any health improvements from it are extremely slow to come. I stick to what I notice from it - my mouth feels much cleaner throughout the day (coupled with my switch to brushing my teeth with only baking soda), and I feel a pleasant "addiction" to it (that is, I don't have to remind myself to do it - it's become part of my daily routine, except for my recent vacation). As far as therapies go, this is a pretty cheap one. What's the worst that will happen? Someone will make fun of me for wasting my time & money doing it? Oh well, I have greater sins than OP in that respect :)

I am hoping it will play a part in the cleaning of the dark areas in the crevices of my molars, however. My teeth show signs of mild fluoridation, though...I have a long way to go with any significant changes to my teeth. I haven't noticed any improvement in receded gums or whiter teeth in my case.

I don't know the answer to your question. Health is a complex issue. Your personal life history has a strong role in your health. Simple oil pulling is not going to fix all of your problems. It may not fix your dental problems. Educating yourself in total well-being, in holistic health, is key.

In my husband's case, he had his Amalgams removed, then had tooth pain. He's had a root canal before, too. He had massive cold sensitivity and pain soon after the filling replacement and suspected the new composite fillings. He feared that replacing them had been a mistake and he would have to have another root canal, or worse. It turns out that there was a sliver of Amalgam still stuck to one of his teeth - that's where the pain turned out to be. The dentist removed that, and things have been pretty smooth since then (months now). He was doubting the ability of OP in helping him...but the cause of the problem was something OP alone couldn't fix.

Is placebo effect from something this cheap and easy such a bad thing? If it helps your mind heal your body, is it so terrible? Sometimes, I think one of the beneficial effects we get from something like OP is taking the time to take care of our bodies, to relax, to reflect...just setting aside some time each day to chill out, do some stretching, lie on the floor (I lie on 2 rolled up towels, one under my neck, one under my lower back, as suggested by my chiropractor), listen to some soothing music, take a nice bath, drink some herbal tea...that can help your health a lot, and you don't have to think of it as a "treatment" or anything.

Be kind to yourself :)