TikTok Flooded with Unproven Health Treatments, Investigation Finds

TikTok has emerged as a primary source of health information for millions of users, but a new investigation reveals alarming levels of medical misinformation on the platform. After analyzing 200 videos related to cancer and autism treatments, CBC Marketplace found approximately 80 percent featured remedies not supported by scientific evidence.

The investigation examined the 100 most-viewed videos for both cancer treatments and autism therapies, reviewing content that collectively garnered more than 75 million views. The findings highlight a troubling pattern of unsubstantiated health claims gaining widespread traction on one of the world’s most popular social media platforms.

Tim Caulfield, a health misinformation researcher, points to the power of personal narratives in spreading dubious medical advice. “Testimonials, anecdotes, stories — probably the number one way that unproven therapies are pushed on social media,” he said. “We’re wired to listen to stories and to be compelled by stories.”

The investigation focused on videos found using search terms like “cancer cure,” “cancer treatment,” “autism cure,” and “autism treatment,” prioritizing the most-viewed content featuring specific remedies.

Among cancer-related videos, more than a third promoted anti-cancer diets or fasting as curative treatments. One particularly problematic video, which amassed over a million views before being removed, claimed that cancer feeds on high-sugar foods. The creator, linked to a Toronto-area juice company, asserted that replacing foods like white rice and bread with “low-sugar” alternatives would kill cancer cells.

Dr. Abha Gupta, a Toronto-based oncologist, categorically dismissed these claims. “Sugar consumption does nothing to cause cancer,” she said, explaining that the body breaks down all foods into similar types of sugars regardless of source. She described confronting such “dangerous” misinformation regularly in her practice, noting that patients who eliminate sugar often lose weight and feel worse.

“One has to maintain their weight if they have cancer or they’re on cancer therapy,” Dr. Gupta emphasized.

Another prevalent claim found in multiple videos was that anti-parasitic drugs like fenbendazole and ivermectin can treat cancer. Nine videos, totaling 1.3 million views, promoted this unsubstantiated treatment. Some featured celebrity endorsements, including references to actor Mel Gibson claiming friends had seen their cancers subside after taking such drugs.

Dr. Gupta’s assessment was unequivocal: “It’s garbage. Complete garbage.”

The autism-related content proved equally concerning, with some videos promoting potentially dangerous treatments. One video with 760,000 views claimed chelation therapy – typically used for heavy metal poisoning – could improve communication and behavior in children with autism.

Dr. Melanie Penner, a pediatrician and autism researcher, warned of the serious risks associated with this treatment. “There is a risk of death that comes with these treatments,” she said, explaining that chelation can cause rapid shifts in the body’s electrolytes and minerals, potentially leading to heart rhythm abnormalities.

Stem cell therapies for autism appeared in at least 14 videos, accumulating 3.2 million views. One video showed the procedure being performed on a young girl while her parents claimed to see results “literally the next day.” Dr. Penner noted that no such treatments are approved in Canada for autism, and they can carry serious risks.

“There are risks of bloodborne infections,” she said. “There have been cases where kids have had stem cells injected into their spinal cord fluid that led to bad growths in the brain.”

The investigation revealed that many content creators were not medical professionals but rather individuals sharing personal stories, often while selling related products. One creator, who claimed to be a mother of a child with autism, sold a $190 “detoxifying supplement” that she alleged improved her son’s behavior.

Caulfield characterized such marketing as “exploitative,” noting that it preys on vulnerable families desperate for solutions. “It’s wishful thinking. There’s really no solid evidence to support this at all.”

Maddy Dever, an autistic parent of four autistic children, expressed frustration at seeing these questionable treatments proliferate online. “I feel for parents who are trying these things because they really want to see their kids not struggle and, in some cases, not suffer.”

“It makes me angry,” they added, directing their anger at content creators rather than parents. Dever emphasized the importance of evidence-based approaches: “If you legitimately see something as a legitimate therapy to support change for people, for kids, then you go through the process to prove that it works.”

After Marketplace shared the videos with TikTok, many were removed. The company declined an interview request but stated that its platform prohibits health misinformation that can cause significant harm. TikTok said it removes content violating its guidelines and provides warnings to users searching for cures or symptoms, reminding them not to rely on the platform for medical advice.