Snake Oil Didn’t Vanish – It Morphed! Here are the Modern Day Equivalents

Snake Oil Salesmen of Yore tricked countless unsuspected customers into buying useless products. Though the wares have changed, the tactic remains. Here are some of the new “snake oils” modern-day hucksters are pushing. 

Essential Oils

Bottles of essential oils on a table with herbs and flowers in the background.
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It’s all still oil. Snake oil is out; essential oils are in. Some folks claim essential oils can do everything, from helping you lose weight to curing cancer. 

Essential oils smell good. Some might have calming effects or help relieve stress. But they aren’t magic cure-alls for every ailment. 

Weight Loss Supplements

Woman smiling and wearing jeans much too big for her. She's holding out the sides to show she's lost weight.
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No magic pill will help you lose weight. Most weight loss supplements aren’t regulated and don’t have to work the way they claim to. That’s good for the manufacturer because they typically don’t. 

Homeopathy

water pouring into a glass
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Homeopathy claims that if you dissolve a substance in water, the water carries that memory. The idea that water has a memory you can adjust to make it work wonders in your life conveniently ignores water’s long history. 

If water has memory, you can rest assured it’s seen some wild stuff. 

Male Enhancement Pills

Smiling man facing sideways but winking and pointing towards the camera.
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Nearly every gas station has a grungy-looking stack of enhancement pills. They make outlandish claims designed to target men’s biggest insecurity. 

They don’t do anything; they’re just a waste of money

Crystal Healing

Crystals and gemstones arranged in a ritualistic circle.
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Gems can aid in meditation, but they can’t cure illness. The hype about the healing powers of certain gemstones isn’t grounded in science. 

That’s not to say there’s no room for crystals. They’re a crucial component of many spiritual practices. People need to learn the difference between spiritual practices and science. 

Get Rich Quick

Pretty money throwing money around on a light pink background
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Everyone’s looking to make a quick buck. The get-rich-quick schemes are ever-evolving, but the central concept remains the same: buy this program, and you, too, can be rich!

Over time, it’s been real estate, pyramid schemes, and crypto scams, but the commonality is most people lose money. 

Chiropractic 

Woman having chiropractic back adjustment.
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Some insist their chiropractic makes them feel better, but others aren’t convinced. Many call chiropractors fake doctors, and at least one woman became paralyzed after a chiropractic visit. 

NFTs

futuristic looking man wearing visor touching glass screen with letters NFT.
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Are NFTs the future of art? They were all the rage a few years ago, but now they just seem scammy. Why would you want to own a digital copy of an artwork when you can own and display the physical painting instead?

Crypto

Various cryptocurrency coins on a table, in the background a hand holds a mobile phone.
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Cryptocurrency was supposed to change the financial world. However, most soon learned the dangers inherent in unregulated currency. 

Some still get rich trading crypto, but far more have lost fortunes. Crypto may eventually have a place in the world, but most people who push it are scammers. 

Andrew Tate’s Business School

Andrew Tate at a press conference in Bucharest after his arrest for human trafficking.
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Andrew Tate epitomizes a modern-day snake oil salesman. His “business school” claims to teach men how to get ahead, but it’s all misogynistic nonsense that hinders men’s chances of success if implemented. 

It’s all by design though, so they go back and buy even more of his garbage. 

Influencers

Female social media influencer holding a "follow" sign in one hand and a "like & subscribe" sign in the other.
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If the above products are snake oil, influencers are the salesman. Though many influencers refuse to engage with nonsense products and only promote things they genuinely believe in, a subset will hawk anything to make a quick buck. 

Time Flies – Savor Every Moment

sand running through an hourglass to represent quotes about time.
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They often say time flies, and that’s true. We’re often so busy we don’t even notice the days and years slip away. 

Yes Time Flies – But Here’s How To Savor Every Moment

What’s an Empath?

Woman with her hand on her chin with a thinking look on her face.
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Empaths can read other people’s emotions. Find out how it works and whether you may have some empathic abilities! 

Learn More: Experts Reveal Top Signs of an Empath

Achieve Financial Independence with Stress Free Part Time Work

Happy attractive barista serving a coffee drink to represent Barista Fire
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Wouldn’t it be great if you could work part time at an easy, stress free job you love? Barista Fire is the path to financial independence that lets you do just that!

What’s Chaotic Neutral?

Close up of a woman with a serious face holding a piece of popcorn in her hand like she's about to eat it. It looks like she's immersed in the drama of whatever she's watching.
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Our favorite charactors in film and shows tend to lean toward the chaotic. Find out why we love this character archetype so much!

Bored? Try Drawing!

person drawing flowers with pastels
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Drawing is a great way to pass some time. You don’t have to be good at it either! Here are 101 fun things to draw when you’re bored

Source: Reddit