Titanium necklaces are a clever con for unsuspecting MLB players as well as avid sports fans. The “ionic” necklaces supposedly relieve pain, increase muscle efficiency, and provide the same benefits as chugging an electrolyte-loaded drink. But it’s all just hocus-pocus.
Phiten, a company behind many of these magical necklaces, provides questionable evidence to substantiate its claims of reduced pain and increased muscle efficiency. It asserts that the form of titanium used allows for the exchange of ions between the necklace and the wearer so that the user can reap the same benefits as if he were to be drinking an electrolyte beverage. Medical science is at odds with this statement because lactic acid buildup causes muscle pain, not ion imbalances.
These necklaces are in effect, charms—items that have “powers” according to the wearer. All this amounts to is superstition, and the engagement in ritual activities by the players just to increase their RBI that extra little bit. [Wired]
Cam
Tuesday, November 2, 2010 at 3:15 PMDont tell me that my super-power-awesome-balance-band that I just spent $70 on is already out of date and that I need to invest in ‘another’ scam already???? :P
Peter Simpson
Tuesday, November 2, 2010 at 3:21 PMBuyer beware or bitch slap the perpetrators of this and other likeminded scams, like homeopathy, magnets and other ‘alternative medicines’
Lee H
Tuesday, November 2, 2010 at 3:32 PMAgreed, completely hogwash…..but my holgram powerbrand wrist strapon the otherhand gives me super powers.
Zek99
Tuesday, November 2, 2010 at 9:14 PMWell at least my limited edition LotR “the one ring” that glows in the dark still makes me invisible.
Steve
Tuesday, November 2, 2010 at 10:40 PMYes, but people still buy crap from these 21st Century snake oil salesmen. Titanium bands that ‘relieve pan’ make about as much as sense as Titanium bands that ‘balance chi.’
Homeopathy, Crystal healing and Deepak Chopra fall into this category of contemporary totemism.
argh
Saturday, April 30, 2011 at 1:18 PMhi all not believers, i just wanted to say that i take offence you saying that the phiten neckalace doesn’t work. it certaintly has for me and my sore shoulder. so all that say its voodoo magic you are WRONG! thank you phiten :)