The “natural” fallacy

Green leaves, lush landscapes, earthy browns and delicate flowers – these are all symbols that may come to mind when the word “natural” is heard. The overwhelming consensus is that products containing this imagery are safe, secure and worthy of trust. In stark contrast, descriptive words like artificial or chemical may evoke concern or feelings of aversion. While the negative connotation surrounding these words is completely baseless and illogical, the stifling grip it has on the public is far from fictional. 

In 2016 a psychological experiment was conducted, giving participants a choice between treating an illness with a drug labeled as “natural” or “synthetic.” Out of the 1,200 participants, 70% selected the natural option despite both drugs being equally safe and effective. Shockingly, 20% percent of individuals chose the natural drug even when it was reported to be less safe than the synthetic version. 

This is not to say that nature hasn’t provided many beneficial products. Morphine, aspirin, and penicillin have all been derived from compounds existing in the natural world. The problem rests in the belief that because something is “natural” it is inherently better and safer than the artificial alternatives. The National Institutes of Health states that many herbal and dietary supplements fail to show any benefit upon being studied. These medications are also not without side effects. In 2004, the FDA banned several plant derivatives that were being used in supplements that were associated with severe liver damage, heart problems and overall death risk. Additionally, the FDA has found numerous “all-natural” treatments that have contained hidden and dangerously high doses of prescription drug ingredients. 

There is no reason to be inherently concerned with items containing chemicals or labeled synthetic. Chemicals are the building blocks of life; everything from a phone to the human body owes its existence to these compounds. While some chemicals are toxic, many of them occur in nature also. Snake venom, poisonous mushrooms and arsenic are all products of nature that can be incredibly deadly. Furthermore, most conventional medicine is subject to higher standards of safety and production. 

While opting for an “all-natural” cold cure is most likely not going to cause any serious harm, the implications of demonizing synthetic products could be serious. Creating doubt and fear around traditional medications and health practices may prevent individuals from receiving quality treatment. Just like all other cognitive biases, it is worth critically evaluating what forms the foundation of our beliefs and how that impacts our actions.  

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0272989X15621877 

https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/know-science/natural-doesnt-mean-better 

https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/6-tip-offs-rip-offs-dont-fall-health-fraud-scams 

https://www.fda.gov/food/dietary-supplements

By: Nicole Hardt