The rise of misinformation in the age of health
From Tiktok videos to Instagram infographics, health and wellness content is everywhere. Some creators are qualified healthcare professionals, but many are not. And even well-intentioned influencers often spread misinformation. Conditions such as parasites, adrenal fatigue, candida overgrowth, and chronically elevated cortisol from coffee frequently appear in social media feeds.
problem? These conditions are either misunderstood, extremely rare, or are not supported by science at all.
I understand the appeal. Ambiguous symptoms such as fatigue, brain fog, and bloating can cause everyone to worry. While it is fascinating to be hooked on a diagnosis that appears to explain everything, misdiagnosis, unnecessary treatment, and anxiety can result from listening and following ignored advice.
Let’s unravel the facts behind four more well-known health situations than scientifically grounded.
Parasite infection: rare, but not impossible
The Internet Stories:
Social media posts often warn of “silent parasites” that cause fatigue, skin problems and bloating, even those who have not travelled internationally. Filled with herbs and supplements, “parasitic purification” is advertised as an essential detox tool.
Reality check:
In fact, parasitic infections in countries such as Canada, the US, and most of Europe are rare outside of certain contexts (e.g. hygiene, specific day care, or international travel). A Canadian study found that 29% of travelers to developing regions suffered from parasitic infections, which does not reflect the average population.
Symptoms of true parasitic infections vary, but usually include diarrhea, malabsorption, weight loss, anemia, eczema, and brain fog.
Symptoms are acute, often severe, not subtle fatigue or bloating. Diagnosing parasites requires a stool test or serology, not an unsuitable quiz. Treatment is based on targets and evidence rather than influencer over-the-counter herbal regimens.
Adrenal fatigue: Diagnostic miracle
The Internet Stories:
“Even after 8 hours of sleep, are you tired all the time? You may have adrenal fatigue.” Social media posts present adrenal fatigue as a trend in modern life caused by stress, eating too much sugar, or lack of sleep.
Reality check:
There is no recognized medical condition called adrenal fatigue. A 2016 systematic review concluded that “adrenal fatigue is not present,” and there was no scientific evidence to support the theory of poor performance of the adrenal glands due to stress.
Confusingly, adrenal fatigue is often confused with legitimate medical conditions such as Addison’s disease and secondary adrenal deficiency, which are serious and require medical care. These are diagnosed as blood tests and are accompanied by dangerously low cortisol levels rather than ambiguous symptoms consistent with burnout or depression.
There are two dangers of adrenal fatigue myth:
People may delay proper diagnosis of actual problems such as thyroid disease, anemia, depression, and more.
They can spend hundreds of dollars on unnecessary supplements and “adrenal support” herbs.
Candida overgrowth: common fungi, rare problems
The Internet Stories:
“There’s probably a Candida overgrowth and I don’t know about it,” influencers claim it causes everything from brain fog to sugar cravings to acne. “Anti-Candida” diets and anti-fungal supplements are popular on wellness platforms.
Reality check:
Candida is the yeast that lives in your skin and intestines. Overgrowth can occur, but most are exclusive in immunocompromised individuals, long-term antibiotics, or diabetics. Common types of overgrowth include:
Oral Thrush (white patch in the mouth)
Vaginal candidiasis (its, excretion)
Invasive candidiasis (rare and common in ICU patients)
Although such studies of psoriasis patients show candida colonization in certain populations (PMID: 39720714), there is no evidence to support the widespread idea of ”systemic candidiasis” in healthy individuals.
Anti-Candida diets are overly restricted and can lead to eating disorders. Worse, they may be distracted from finding the true root causes of symptoms such as fatigue and bloating (e.g., IBS, stress, thyroid dysfunction).
Coffee and Cortisol: The Myth of Stress Hormones
The Internet Stories:
“Coffee spikes cortisol and puts it in combat or flight mode all day.” Some wellness numbers claim that coffee is the root cause of hormonal imbalances, weight gain and burnout. Especially for women.
Reality check:
Caffeine can cause a temporary increase in cortisol, especially in people with naive caffeine. However, in a habitual coffee drinker, the body adapts quickly. A 2024 randomized trial found that caffeine intake did not significantly alter daily cortisol levels in habitual users.
A previous study in 2008 showed that caffeine at a dose of 800 mg increased cortisol by about 52%, but these effects were transient and returned to baseline. The recommended caffeine intake should not exceed 400 mg per day. This is equivalent to 3 cups of coffee. Moderate coffee consumption (1-3 cups per day) can also be beneficial for metabolism and brain health.
Actual cortisol disorders
If someone really has chronic cortisol, it’s not from Starbucks, but from an illness like Cushing’s syndrome. This rare condition (2.2 per 100,000 people;) is caused by a tumor (pituitary or adrenal glands) rather than a diet.
Symptoms include:
Rapid weight gain (especially in the face/abdomen)
Light skin, simple banging
Muscle strength loss
High blood pressure and glucose
Cushing’s syndrome requires endocrine assessment, imaging, and sometimes surgery. Don’t give up on your morning latte.
Why misinformation lasts and why it’s dangerous
Social media algorithms reward bold claims, personal anecdotes and visually appealing content, rather than nuance, evidence, or context. This makes the platform a fertile ground for pseudo-science. The most viral health content tends to be:
Provides a brief explanation of complex problems
Test people’s symptoms with simple answers
Selling products as “solutions”
This creates a vicious cycle. People will be seen, even if the underlying cause of symptoms is not properly investigated, and will become part of the testimony echo chamber after purchasing supplements.
Potential consequences:
The actual diagnosis of the condition has been delayed
Wasted money on unproven treatment
Aggravated anxiety about normal physical functioning
Disabled eating driven by a restrictive “healing” diet
How to think critically about health content
Here are a few questions to ask yourself when you run into a health claim online.
Who is claiming? Are they licensed healthcare providers?
Are you based on peer-reviewed research? Look for quotes from PubMed rather than blogs.
Is this condition recognized by major healthcare providers? Check out the CDC, WHO, or the National Endocrinology Society.
Is treatment supported by clinical evidence? Testimony is not science.
Does it sound too good to be true? If yes, it’s probably true.
Evidence-based medicine is not necessarily flashy, but it is reliable. If you are experiencing persistent symptoms, the best first step is to look at your healthcare provider.
Final Thoughts
Feeling tired, misty or enlarged does not mean you have an overload of parasites, adrenal fatigue, systemic candida, or coffee-induced cortisol. These stories are persuasive, but often built on a volatile foundation. It is important to examine people’s symptoms, but the best support comes from clarity, not confusion.
Trust science. Ask a simplified answer. And good night, balanced diet, and don’t underestimate the power of reliable medical care.
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