Statins are among the most commonly prescribed drugs in the world. They help lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease, which is the leading cause of death worldwide. Millions of people take these medications every day, and doctors widely support their use based on strong scientific evidence.
But when researchers at Stanford Medicine looked at what people were saying about statins on Reddit, one of the internet’s most popular discussion forums, they found a different story.
The research team analyzed more than 10,000 Reddit posts about statins using artificial intelligence (AI). What they discovered was that most of the conversations were either neutral or negative. In fact, only 3% of the posts had a positive tone.
Why such a negative view? One reason could be that people are more likely to post when they have a bad experience. If someone feels side effects or doubts the drug’s benefits, they may turn to Reddit to share their thoughts or look for support. People who take statins without problems may be less likely to post, which can create an unbalanced view online.
To better understand these opinions, the researchers grouped the Reddit posts into different topics. Several common themes appeared. Many users questioned whether drug companies were being honest about the results of clinical trials. Others doubted that statins really work or felt unsure about how much lowering cholesterol actually helps prevent heart disease.
A lot of discussions focused on alternatives to statins. One popular topic was the ketogenic (keto) diet—a low-carb, high-fat diet that’s often used for weight loss. Some people following the keto diet noticed their cholesterol levels went up, even though they were losing weight. This made them question the connection between cholesterol and heart disease, which confused others and led to more misinformation.
Red yeast rice supplements also came up often. These are sold as natural alternatives to statins, but they contain very small amounts of the active ingredients needed to lower cholesterol effectively. Some people on Reddit promoted them without understanding their limitations.
Although the conversations were filled with opinions, the study revealed that many of them were based on personal experiences or misinformation, not science. This highlights a bigger problem—people often turn to social media for health advice, even when the information isn’t accurate.
The researchers behind this study believe their findings are a wake-up call. They say it’s important for health professionals to understand what people are saying online, and to find better ways to share reliable, evidence-based information with the public.
Social media can be a great place to talk and ask questions, but it’s important to be careful. Not everything you read online is true, especially when it comes to health. If you have questions about medications like statins, the best thing to do is talk to your doctor.
This study shows how AI can be used to understand public opinion and help bridge the gap between what people believe and what science says. The more we understand people’s concerns and doubts, the better we can support them in making informed choices about their health.
If you care about health, please read studies about the benefits of low-dose lithium supplements, and what we know about egg intake and heart disease.
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