HeadOn: Difference between revisions
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==Ingredients== |
==Ingredients== |
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As of September 2008, there are two versions of HeadOn available in stores: "Extra Strength" and "Migraine". |
As of September 2008, there are two versions of HeadOn available in stores: "Extra Strength" and "Migraine". Compositional analysis based on the "Migraine" formulation of active and inert ingredients has shown that the product consists almost entirely of [[wax]]<!--cite given later on in paragraph-->. The three active ingredients are [[iris versicolor]] 12× (a flower), [[White Bryony|white bryony]] 12× (a type of vine), and [[potassium dichromate]] 6× (known to be a [[carcinogen]] in higher concentrations). The [[Homeopathy#Dilution and succussion|"×" notation]] indicates that the three chemicals have been diluted to 1 [[Parts-per notation|part per trillion]], 1 part per trillion, and 1 part per million respectively.<ref>{{cite web | url= https://www.wegmans.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10052&productId=363768&catalogId=1&krypto=QJrbAudPd0vzXUGByeatog%3D%3D&ddkey=http:SearchController | title = "HeadOn Migraine Pain Reliever" }}</ref><ref name="randi06">{{cite web | url = http://www.randi.org/jr/2006-07/072806academic.html#i15 | title = Analysis of Head On | work = James Randi's Swift | accessdate = 2006-07-27 }}</ref> This amount of dilution is so great that the product has been described as a [[placebo]]<ref name="CR" />; with skeptic [[James Randi]] calling it a "major medical swindle"<ref name="randi06"/>. The formula for the Extra Strength version of the product is the same as the Migraine except that it excludes the iris versicolor. |
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Because the [[FDA]] does not require ingredients which can cause active effects to be directly labeled as an active ingredient in topical applications (excluding prescribed ingredients or those known to be toxic), the inert "wax" can contain other unknown but active compounds. HeadOn has a moderate-to-strong odour similar to methanol and a slight odour of wax. The [[Odor detection threshold]] for the strongest odours known, are in the parts per billion range. The active ingredients listed above in their dilutions of parts per trillions would not be detectable by smell. Potassium dichromate is odourless. Because there is a definite moderate-to-strong odour, not that of wax, and the active ingredients cannot have a detectable smell, there must be other ingredients not listed specifically. Most likely this would be included in the so-called wax. Whatever such compound(s) is/are, it may be the active compound(s) responsible for the commercial success of HeadOn albeit at the cost of scepticism. |
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Seymour Diamond, director of the Diamond Headache Clinic in Chicago and the inpatient headache unit at St. Joseph Hospital, was quoted as saying "I see nothing in this product that has any validity whatsoever."<ref name = WashingtonPost>{{cite news | title = Head Rub | date = 2006-09-26 | publisher = [[The Washington Post]] | accessdate = 2006-09-29 | url = http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/25/AR2006092500934.html?nav=hcmodule}}</ref> ''[[Consumer Reports]]'' states that no clinical-trial data involving HeadOn have been presented, and that "any apparent efficacy may be the result of the [[placebo effect]]."<ref name="CR">{{cite web |url=http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/health-fitness/drugs-supplements/headon-9-07/overview/0709_headache_ov_1.htm |title=ConsumerReports.org - HeadOn: Headache drug lacks clinical data |accessdate=2008-01-23 |format= |work=}}</ref> |
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Correspondence was published with a statement from ''HeadOn Customer Service'' that "It works through the nerves."<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.randi.org/jr/2006-09/092206bad.html#i5 | title = Science at its best | work = James Randi's Swift | accessdate = 2006-10-02 }}</ref> |
Because the active ingredients listed in their respective dilutions are not generally thought as capable of any more than a placebo effect, there has been much scepticism. Seymour Diamond, director of the Diamond Headache Clinic in Chicago and the inpatient headache unit at St. Joseph Hospital, was quoted as saying "I see nothing in this product that has any validity whatsoever."<ref name = WashingtonPost>{{cite news | title = Head Rub | date = 2006-09-26 | publisher = [[The Washington Post]] | accessdate = 2006-09-29 | url = http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/25/AR2006092500934.html?nav=hcmodule}}</ref> ''[[Consumer Reports]]'' states that no clinical-trial data involving HeadOn have been presented, and that "any apparent efficacy may be the result of the [[placebo effect]]."<ref name="CR">{{cite web |url=http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/health-fitness/drugs-supplements/headon-9-07/overview/0709_headache_ov_1.htm |title=ConsumerReports.org - HeadOn: Headache drug lacks clinical data |accessdate=2008-01-23 |format= |work=}}</ref> Correspondence was published with a statement from ''HeadOn Customer Service'' that "It works through the nerves."<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.randi.org/jr/2006-09/092206bad.html#i5 | title = Science at its best | work = James Randi's Swift | accessdate = 2006-10-02 }}</ref> |
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== References == |
== References == |
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Revision as of 01:30, 11 February 2010
HeadOn is the brand name of a topical product claimed to relieve headaches. It is sold as a homeopathic preparation.[1] It was originally distributed by Miralus Healthcare and was known for its television ads featuring the slogan "HeadOn, apply directly to the forehead" stated three times. The advertisements are a popular internet meme.
On September 26, 2008, ownership of the HeadOn brand and its manufacture were transferred to Sirvision, inc. of North America. Sirvision re-introduced HeadOn with a new formulation, claiming it now contains "a clinically proven active ingredient for topical headache relief."[2] There were no peer reviewed studies showing that the original HeadOn formula worked and the scientific consensus is that homeopathic preparations do not help beyond the placebo effect.[3] The new formulation has not yet been investigated.
Commercial
HeadOn's notoriety came in part due to its advertisements on cable and daytime programming on broadcast television which consisted of using only the tagline "HeadOn. Apply directly to the forehead", stated three times in succession, accompanied by a video of a model using the product. On September 18, 2006 a new advertisement debuted on US channels; the opening is the same as the original HeadOn, with the words "HeadOn, apply directly" occurring before the sound fizzles out while a person walks on and mocks the tagline, stating "HeadOn, I can't stand your commercial, but your product is amazing!", "HeadOn, I hate your commercial! But I love your product.", or "HeadOn, your commercial is so annoying, but you've got a great product!" As of June 2007, the advertisement has changed again — this time to a chorus of people saying "Head on, apply directly to the forehead?", a single announcer repeating "apply directly to the forehead", and then the chorus doing the same thing. This newer ad also features a slow-motion version of the model using the product. The ad was once again changed in 2008 to include testimonials of HeadOn users. Later in 2008, the commercial was changed back to its original thrice-repeating form, but this time a warning was added at the beginning of the commercial that says "WARNING: The following commercial contains scenes of a repetitive nature. Viewer discretion is advised."[citation needed]
Manufacturer Miralus Healthcare decided not to include any factual claims about the product in the spots after the National Advertising Division of the Better Business Bureaus objected to the claim that HeadOn provided "fast, safe, effective" headache relief made in an earlier spot.[4] A previous campaign included the phrase "Should I know about HeadOn?"[4]
Miralus Healthcare used focus groups to try a number of potential commercials, with one focused solely on repetition; the focus groups recalled the ads much more than with any other method,[1] although many people considered the ads annoying.[5][6][7] Dan Charron, vice president of sales and marketing at Miralus, told the Los Angeles Times that nobody in the focus groups had told him that the ads were annoying.[8]
Sirvision Inc, which bought the product line, have stated that they intend to refocus the advertisements in a "scientific direction".[2][clarification needed]
Reception
The commercial has led to a number of parodies now appearing on Web sites such as YouTube, USA Today reports,[9] and it has since become an internet meme. The technophile magazine Make describes how to turn it into a ring tone.[4]
Other products
Three related products are currently produced by former manufacturer of HeadOn Miralus Healthcare:
- ActivOn - described on the company's website as a topical analgesic for arthritis-like joint pains, in multiple formulations. Additionally, the product originally named FirstOn, a topical anti-itch product, is now called ActivOn Maximum Strength Anti-Itch.
- PreferOn - A topical product containing Vitamin E, claimed to improve the appearance of scars.
- RenewIn - A pill claimed to improve joint comfort, flexibility and mobility, in multiple formulations.
A homeopathic hemorrhoid cream, FREEdHem, was withdrawn from the market. Like HeadOn, FREEdHem featured repetition in its ads, which said "Freedom from hemorrhoids, FREEdHem hemorrhoid cream" or "FREEdHem, the only one-application hemorrhoidal cream" three times.
Ingredients
As of September 2008, there are two versions of HeadOn available in stores: "Extra Strength" and "Migraine". Compositional analysis based on the "Migraine" formulation of active and inert ingredients has shown that the product consists almost entirely of wax. The three active ingredients are iris versicolor 12× (a flower), white bryony 12× (a type of vine), and potassium dichromate 6× (known to be a carcinogen in higher concentrations). The "×" notation indicates that the three chemicals have been diluted to 1 part per trillion, 1 part per trillion, and 1 part per million respectively.[10][11] This amount of dilution is so great that the product has been described as a placebo[12]; with skeptic James Randi calling it a "major medical swindle"[11]. The formula for the Extra Strength version of the product is the same as the Migraine except that it excludes the iris versicolor.
Because the FDA does not require ingredients which can cause active effects to be directly labeled as an active ingredient in topical applications (excluding prescribed ingredients or those known to be toxic), the inert "wax" can contain other unknown but active compounds. HeadOn has a moderate-to-strong odour similar to methanol and a slight odour of wax. The Odor detection threshold for the strongest odours known, are in the parts per billion range. The active ingredients listed above in their dilutions of parts per trillions would not be detectable by smell. Potassium dichromate is odourless. Because there is a definite moderate-to-strong odour, not that of wax, and the active ingredients cannot have a detectable smell, there must be other ingredients not listed specifically. Most likely this would be included in the so-called wax. Whatever such compound(s) is/are, it may be the active compound(s) responsible for the commercial success of HeadOn albeit at the cost of scepticism.
Because the active ingredients listed in their respective dilutions are not generally thought as capable of any more than a placebo effect, there has been much scepticism. Seymour Diamond, director of the Diamond Headache Clinic in Chicago and the inpatient headache unit at St. Joseph Hospital, was quoted as saying "I see nothing in this product that has any validity whatsoever."[13] Consumer Reports states that no clinical-trial data involving HeadOn have been presented, and that "any apparent efficacy may be the result of the placebo effect."[12] Correspondence was published with a statement from HeadOn Customer Service that "It works through the nerves."[14]
References
- ^ a b Stevenson, Seth (2006-07-24). "Head Case: the mesmerizing ad for HeadOn". Ad Report Card. Slate. Retrieved 2006-07-24.
- ^ a b "Sirvision, inc. website".
- ^ Suz Redfearn (2006-09-26). "Claim Check:Head Rub". Washington Post. Retrieved 2008-05-04.
{{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ a b c "Headache remedy becomes pop culture phenom". United Press International. 2006-07-31. Retrieved 2006-08-01.
- ^ Unger, Brian (2006-07-10). "Taking an Annoying Pain Commercial Head On". National Public Radio. Retrieved 2006-07-24.
- ^ "HeadOn Commercial". The Daily Headache. 2006-07-20. Retrieved 2006-07-24.
- ^ Cooper, Gael (2006-08-24). "Best and Worst Commercials of the Year". msnbc. Retrieved 2006-09-21.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|middle=ignored (help) - ^ Neil, Dan (2006-07-23). "Ad Nauseam". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2006-07-24.
- ^ USATODAY.com - Headache commercial hits parody circuit, well, HeadOn
- ^ ""HeadOn Migraine Pain Reliever"".
- ^ a b "Analysis of Head On". James Randi's Swift. Retrieved 2006-07-27.
- ^ a b "ConsumerReports.org - HeadOn: Headache drug lacks clinical data". Retrieved 2008-01-23.
- ^ "Head Rub". The Washington Post. 2006-09-26. Retrieved 2006-09-29.
- ^ "Science at its best". James Randi's Swift. Retrieved 2006-10-02.