High-dilution effects revisited. 1. Physicochemical aspects

Abstract

Several lines of evidence suggest that homeopathic high dilutions (HDs) can effectively have a pharmacological action, and so cannot be considered merely placebos. However, until now there has been no unified explanation for these observations within the dominant paradigm of the dose-response effect. Here the possible scenarios for the physicochemical nature of HDs are reviewed. A number of theoretical and experimental approaches, including quantum physics, conductometric and spectroscopic measurements, thermoluminescence, and model simulations investigated the peculiar features of diluted/succussed solutions. The heterogeneous composition of water could be affected by interactive phenomena such as coherence, epitaxy and formation of colloidal nanobubbles containing gaseous inclusions of oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, silica and, possibly, the original material of the remedy. It is likely that the molecules of active substance act as nucleation centres, amplifying the formation of supramolecular structures and imparting order to the solvent. Three major models for how this happens are currently being investigated: the water clusters or clathrates, the coherent domains postulated by quantum electrodynamics, and the formation of nanoparticles from the original solute plus solvent components. Other theoretical approaches based on quantum entanglement and on fractal-type self-organization of water clusters are more speculative and hypothetical. The problem of the physicochemical nature of HDs is still far from to be clarified but current evidence strongly supports the notion that the structuring of water and its solutes at the nanoscale can play a key role.

Extreme sensitivity of gene expression in human SH-SY5Y neurocytes to ultra-low doses of Gelsemium sempervirens

“…Thus far there is no satisfactory or unifying theoretical explanation for these claims, though some have hypothesized that the dynamics of the solvent water (or water-ethanol) on a mesoscopic scale may play a part [70]. Three major models for how this happens are currently being investigated: the water clusters or clathrates, the coherent domains postulated by quantum electrodynamics, and the formation of nanoparticles from the original solute plus solvent components.…”

Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials of non-individualised homeopathic treatment: systematic review and meta-analysis

“…As was implicit in the study protocol [3], and as presented in a previous paper [2], we also included the following in sub-group analysis: (f) whether a trial had sample size that was greater or less than the median for those included in meta-analysis; (g) whether a trial used homeopathic medicine/s with potency ≥12C or <12C (12-times serial dilution of 1:100 starting solution), a concentration sometimes regarded as equivalent to the ‘Avogadro limit’ for molecular dose [21]; potency was defined as ‘mixed’ if a combination medicine in a given trial comprised a mixture of ≥12C and <12C potencies.…”

A dynamic network model of the similia principle

“…There are a number of known biological mechanisms by which the sensitivity of receptors and the efficiency of signal transduction pathways in cells and whole systems can be amplified. 36,37 It is conceivable that ultra-low doses and high dilutions of drugs may act on the information networks of the body, where putative electromagnetic interactions and water clusters associated with proteins and DNA have a major role in information transfer and as coordination pathways for biochemical reactions, immunological control of body identity, and even of psychological integrity.…”