The tunnel where people pay to inhale radioactive gas

SOURCES:

There are a LOT of papers about this, and about radiation hormesis. A Google Scholar search will rapidly send you down a rabbit hole of "this seems like it works" papers, followed by "this study had a very small sample size" or "this study had flaws" meta-analysis. I am not qualified to analyse their quality and conflicts of interest, so in this case, departing from my usual policy, I'm leaving that exploration as an exercise for the reader!

Location camera: Moritz Janisch

Editor for Bad Kreuznach footage: Isla McTear

(you can find contact details and social links there too)

[TomScottGo]

No matter how I talk about this, someone will be angry at me: from skeptics who say that even this carefully-worded video is dangerous; to radon therapy advocates who'll be frustrated that I seem to be dismissing patients' testimonials. So to be crystal clear about my point in this video: my message is "This is a thing. It is interesting. We should study it more. If it works, it could help an enormous number of people. If it doesn't, we should probably stop doing it."

[ValueNetwork]

Tom Scott is literally the only person who can make a 10 minute video explaining why he can’t actually make the video he’s currently filming and have it seem in line with his existing content.

[cellusDS]

So this is the only tunnel in the world that can switch from Radon to Radoff.

[louburnett]

After 25 years with chronic pain I would be absolutely willing to try this out. I am less afraid of radiation than some of the very addictive drugs that are currently prescribed. More research in chronic pain is needed across the board.

[michaelbaker]

"More studies are needed" is not a weak answer, it's an honest answer. And, in the overwhelming majority of cases, it's true.

[Romanticoutlaw]

this was supposed to be a video about radon therapy, but it's actually a video about thorough, thoughtful, and responsible research. Well done as always, tom

[webratjen]

'More studies are required' is not a weak ending.
It is a valid, and open, and genuine ending. It is the reason I subscribe. I value your words Tom Scott. To me you have integrity.

[cancan-wqun]

"I also have a duty to the truth: scientific, historical or personal."
A great quote from captain Picard.

[aristoth]

I misread it as "random tunnel" and was sure Tom had finally visited every noteworthy place

[oneofmanyjames-es]

I'm increasingly convinced that Tom is surrounded by Germans at all times, offering to give interviews in their distinct regional accent

[MedlifeCrisis]

Superb and balanced video as always, better than many doctors’ analyses of similar ‘therapies’. But just because the Germans are less bombastic than Americans in their claims about what can be achieved, this is unproven and more likely to be quackery than not. As Tom pointed out the potential exists to genuinely test this, yet with so many things, the motivation rarely comes from within the alternative medicine community. Let’s hope the video helps.

[morgantakach]

You’re one of the best video creators I’ve seen
on YouTube, especially when it comes to responsible stewardship of information. You’re carefully balancing bias and investigating both sides thoroughly. Anyone who criticizes this video wasn’t listening to what you were saying throughout, which makes it abundantly clear that you’re simply providing this as a point of fascination and an area of future study, not as an endorsement.

[StrokeMahEgo]

Tom's mention and due care of his duty to the truth, scientific, historical, or personal, makes him worthy to wear a Starfleet uniform.

[ilikaplayhopscotch]

Tom wouldn’t go to a random tunnel, it would always be a VERY specific tunnel.

[radagastwiz]

Me 2/3 of the way through: "Surely someone could double-blind this."
Tom's conclusion: "Please, somebody, double-blind this."

[dairymold]

I live in Iowa, a state where not having a basement can be a death sentence during tornado season... and having a basement can be a possible death sentence for reasons related to radon.

[tillson]

If you combine all of Tom's videos into one you can witness him cross the UK in a straight line twice

[conorcrowley]

Fascinating to think this video could either be an early demonstration of some really revolutionary process or essentially a footnote for a wrong path in medicine.

[benthemaker]

Who would have thought? A socially responsible youtuber with a massive following using his platform to inspire researchers. Kudos, Tom.

[RichardVSmall]

I've been in constant pain for around 13 years now, been prescribed and struggled with opioid addiction and dependency for years, from which I am only recently recovering. To be honest I would try this, but I'm part of a vulnerable group who can fall victim to 'alternative medicine' scams, so I completely agree with this message.