List of topics considered to be pseudoscience
This is a list of topics that have been characterized as pseudoscience by some scientists and researchers.[1]
Physical sciences
Physics
- Autodynamics
- Bogdanov affair - In 2002, the Bogdanoff twins pursued doctorates. Their PhD theses were considered pseudoscience.
- Einstein–Cartan–Evans theory
- Electrogravitics
- Hongcheng Magic Liquid
- Hydrinos
- Perpetual motion - Theory pertaining to the belief that objects can move endlessly, which violates the second law of thermodynamics.
- Free energy - Theory that endless energy can be created from perpetual motion machines, which violates the second law of thermodynamics.
- Water-fuelled cars
Astronomy and space sciences
- 2012
- Ancient astronauts - A belief that aliens were involved in human evolution/ancient societies.
- Astrology (see also astrology and science)
- Dogon people and Sirius B
- Electric universe and Plasma cosmology - Belief that stars consist of electricity
- Lunar effect
- Moon landing conspiracy theories - Some people believe the moon landing was faked.
- Nibiru cataclysm - A belief that a mythological planet named Nibiru would crash into Earth in 2012.
- Worlds in Collision (Velikovsky)
Earth science
- 366 geometry or Megalithic geometry
- The Bermuda Triangle - A location that supposedly has caused many plane and boat crashes.
- Flat Earth - A belief that the Earth is secretly flat, and governments are hiding it.
- Hollow Earth - A theory that the interior of the Earth is hollow.
Applied sciences
Biology
Psychology
- Attachment therapy
- Conversion therapy - A theory that gay people can be converted to being straight.
- Freud's psychoanalytic theories
- Graphology
- Myers-Briggs Type Indicator
- Memetics - Belief that the mind has its own version of genes, named memes
- Near death experiences
- Neurolinguistic programming
- Parapsychology
- Phrenology
- Polygraphy ("lie detectors") - The practice of using devices to determine whether or not someone is lying.
- Primal therapy
- Reincarnation
Health and medicine
- 5G and COVID-19 - The belief that 5G causes COVID-19
- Alternative medicine
- Anthroposophic medicine, or anthroposophically extended medicine
- Applied kinesiology (AK)
- Vaccines and autism - A belief that vaccines cause autism
- Maharishi Ayurveda
- Bates method for better eyesight
- Biorhythms
- Body memory
- Brain Gym
- Chiropractics
- Colon cleansing (colonics, colon hydrotherapy)
- Craniosacral therapy
- Crystal healing
- Electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS)
- Faith healing
- Homeopathy
- Iridology
- Leaky gut syndrome
- Lightning Process
- Magnet therapy
- Naturopathy, or Naturopathic Medicine
- Osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) or osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT)
- Radionics
- Reflexology, or zone therapy
- Therapeutic touch
- Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)
- Classical social evolution
- Urine therapy
- Vitalism
Racial theories
Technology
Paranormal and ufology
Paranormal or supernatural subjects have been subject to criticism from many of sources including the following claims of the paranormal:
- Animal mutilations
- Channeling
- Crop circles - Belief that aliens leave markings in fields.
- Divination
- Dowsing
- Electronic voice phenomenon
- Extra-sensory perception or ESP - Belief in psychic powers.
- Fortune-telling and palm reading - The practice of determining one's future using a palm, tarot cards or other means.
- Ghosts or spirits
- Levitation
- Magic (Apotropaic magic, Black magic and Witchcraft)
- Pseudoarchaeology
- Psychokinesis
- Rumpology
- Séances
- UFOs and Aliens
History
Religion and Science
Spiritual and religious practices and beliefs, according to astronomer Carl Sagan, are normally not classified as pseudoscience. Some of the ideas are:
Creation science
Creationism is the belief that the origin of everything in the universe is the result of the Christian God.
- Creationist cosmologies - Cosmologies that allow for, among other things, Earth to be only a couple thousand years old
- Baraminology
- Creation biology
- Flood geology
- Searches for Noah's Ark
- Modern geocentrism - Belief that the Earth is the center of the solar system
- Intelligent design
New age and eastern religions
Scientology
- Dianetics
- Scientology's Purification Rundown and Narconon programs
- Touch assist
Consumer products
- Cosmetics and cleaning products frequently make pseudoscientific claims about their products.
- Fan death - Belief that sleeping next to a fan can cause death, typically in Asian countries
Ideas not commonly referred to
The following concepts have only a very small number of supporters, but have become notable:
Parody pseudoscience
The following are parodies of other pseudosciences: