The Q Collar Scandal: Why We Should Cover Science-Adjacent Medical Scams More
The continuing "Q collar" scandal
A Columbia statistician argues that the media's focus on academic grifters, while important, is misplaced compared to the harm caused by science-adjacent medical scams like the Q Collar. The Q Collar, a device claimed to protect athletes from concussions, has been marketed with dubious science and regulatory loopholes, yet receives far less scrutiny than less harmful academic misconduct. The author calls for a shift in coverage to prioritize public health impacts.
We should probably be doing more coverage of science-adjacent medical scams like the Q collar and less on repulsively self-promoting but ultimately less harmful academic grifters.
- adaml_623
For anyone who has never heard of the Q Collar I'm copy pasting a google summary with a tiny bit of trimming. My first uninformed thought is, "OMG that sounds insane"
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Q-Collar is a C-shaped, non-invasive silicone neck band designed to help protect athletes' brains from repetitive sub-concussive impacts. It is worn during high-impact contact sports like American football, soccer, lacrosse, and hockey.
How It Works -
Jugular Compression: The band applies light, safe pressure to the sides of the user's jugular veins.
Increased Blood Volume: This mild pressure slightly slows blood outflow from the head, increasing blood volume in the venous structures surrounding the brain.
Reduced Brain "Slosh": The extra blood acts like an internal cushion or seatbelt, minimizing the movement (sloshing) of the brain inside the skull during an impact.
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