Joe Rogan was left in disbelief as Mel Gibson shared an astonishing account of how three friends allegedly cured their stage 4 cancers using unconventional methods.

On a recent episode of the Joe Rogan Experience, Gibson revealed that his friends, all diagnosed with advanced cancer, opted for a controversial approach to treatment. According to Gibson, they used ivermectin and fenbendazole—drugs commonly prescribed for treating parasitic infections in animals and humans.

The Bold Claim: Cancer-Free Results

The Lethal Weapon actor claimed that all three friends, who were in dire situations, now show no signs of cancer. “This stuff works, man,” Gibson stated emphatically.

While there is some early evidence suggesting these drugs might have anti-cancer properties, experts warn against viewing them as proven treatments. Studies on both ivermectin and fenbendazole have shown limited, inconclusive results, often restricted to laboratory or animal testing.

What the Research SaysIvermectin

• Potential Benefits: Early studies suggest ivermectin might shrink tumors when combined with other therapies. For example, a 2021 study from the City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center in California found it showed promise in treating triple-negative breast cancer in mice.
• Limitations: Clinical trials in humans have yet to confirm these effects. Dr. Susanne Arnold of the Markey Cancer Center cautioned that there’s no definitive evidence proving ivermectin’s effectiveness against cancer in humans.
• Risks: While generally safe, ivermectin can cause side effects like nausea, fatigue, and interactions with other medications, such as blood thinners.

Fenbendazole

• Potential Benefits: Known by brand names like Panacur and Safe-Guard, this anti-parasitic drug has shown anti-cancer potential in preclinical studies. A 2020 review highlighted its ability to slow lung cancer growth in mice. Some case studies reported tumor shrinkage in patients with advanced cancers.
• Risks: Fenbendazole carries serious risks if misused. South Korean doctors reported cases of intestinal necrosis, and in October 2023, a British man died from liver failure after self-administering the drug.

The Debate: Natural Cures vs. Mainstream Medicine

Gibson defended his belief in natural cures, stating: “I don’t believe there’s anything that can afflict mankind that hasn’t got a natural cure for it. It just makes sense to me.” Rogan echoed his skepticism of the pharmaceutical industry, suggesting that profitable mainstream treatments may overshadow effective, low-cost alternatives.

“When you hear about things that are demonized and they turn out to be effective, you always wonder, ‘What’s going on here?’” Rogan added, alluding to potential conflicts of interest within the medical field.

Expert Caution and Context

Doctors emphasize the need for rigorous scientific validation. While early findings on ivermectin and fenbendazole are intriguing, using these drugs outside of clinical settings poses significant risks. Experts like Dr. Jason Williams warn that fenbendazole, for example, could sometimes even promote cancer growth if improperly applied.

Accessibility and Costs

• Ivermectin: About $90 for 20 tablets without insurance.
• Fenbendazole: Roughly $9 for a week’s supply, available over the counter for pets.

Controversy Beyond Cancer

Ivermectin became a hot-button topic during the COVID-19 pandemic, promoted by some political figures despite a lack of evidence supporting its effectiveness against the virus. The National Institutes of Health explicitly advises against its use for COVID-19 except in clinical trials.

Final Thoughts

While the personal accounts shared by Mel Gibson are compelling, they highlight the importance of distinguishing anecdotal claims from scientific evidence. Patients are urged to consult medical professionals and rely on proven treatments to avoid potentially life-threatening complications.

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Could bird poop hold the secret to preventing the next flu pandemic? Researchers believe it might, and they’re looking to a unique ecosystem in Delaware Bay to find answers.

The Spring Migration: A Crucial Moment for Science

Each spring, Delaware Bay becomes a hub of activity. First, horseshoe crabs emerge from the waters, laying their eggs under the full moon in May. Soon after, hundreds of thousands of shorebirds flock to feast on these eggs, gaining essential nutrients before continuing their long migration from South America to the Arctic. This natural spectacle is not only a marvel of nature but a goldmine for scientists tracking the spread of flu viruses.

Amid growing concerns over the spread of the H5N1 avian flu virus in the U.S., this year’s research has become more urgent. The flu has already devastated poultry flocks and dairy cattle, raising fears of a larger outbreak.

Collecting Bird Poop: A Vital Task

For almost 40 years, Dr. Robert Webster, a virologist from New Zealand, and his team have been collecting bird poop (or guano) from Delaware Bay. Why? Because bird droppings are teeming with viruses, including flu strains. In fact, nearly every known influenza subtype, except for two, has been found in birds. This discovery helped Dr. Webster realize that flu viruses don’t just replicate in a bird’s respiratory system—they also multiply in their intestinal tract and are spread through their droppings, often ending up in water sources.

When Dr. Webster first visited Delaware Bay in 1985, his team found that 20% of the bird poop samples they collected contained influenza viruses. They quickly realized that the region was an ideal place to study how flu viruses travel along the Atlantic flyway, the migratory path that stretches from South America to the Arctic.

Tracking Viruses: A Long-Running Study

The project, now led by Dr. Richard Webby at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, has become one of the longest-running influenza studies of bird populations in the world. Webby and his team work closely with the World Health Organization to monitor the ecology of influenza in animals.

Predicting pandemics, Webby says, is similar to predicting tornadoes. “To predict the bad things, whether it’s a tornado or a pandemic, you have to understand what’s normal,” Webby explains. “From there, we can detect changes—whether the virus switches hosts or if something else triggers the transition.”

H5N1: The Emerging Threat

The U.S. is currently facing a concerning transition with the H5N1 virus. Initially limited to birds, H5N1 has spread to dairy cattle in Texas, marking the first time this flu strain has infected cows. Though the virus can infect humans, it has not been able to spread from person to person, largely due to differences in the cells affected by the virus in humans and birds.

However, experts are closely watching for any genetic mutations that could allow H5N1 to infect humans more easily. A study published in Science recently showed that a single mutation could allow the virus to target human lung cells, raising the stakes for monitoring its spread.

Collecting the Samples

The research team recently returned to Delaware Bay, carefully collecting bird poop from a range of species. Wearing gloves and face masks, Dr. Pamela McKenzie and her colleague, Patrick Seiler, carefully swabbed fresh guano into vials. Over the course of a week, they gathered over 1,000 samples.

These samples would be sent back to St. Jude, where they would be sequenced and uploaded to an international database that tracks flu strains globally. Interestingly, while H5N1 had been spreading in mammals across the U.S., it was not found in the samples from Delaware Bay.

The Role of Seagulls and Other Birds

One focus of this year’s study was the seagulls, whose droppings were the largest and most abundant. Some gulls are known to carry viruses that haven’t been found in other bird species. The team is hoping to learn more about how viruses are carried by these birds as they migrate along the Atlantic coast.

While collecting samples in Cape May, the team also made use of a mobile lab, a converted RV parked among other campers. Dr. Lisa Kercher, the lab director, tested the samples right in the field, hoping to speed up the research process. Yet, despite these efforts, the team did not find H5N1 in their spring and summer samples from the Delaware Bay and Canada.

The Virus Spreads, But What’s Next?

After spending time at Delaware Bay, the team moved to northern Alberta, Canada, and later to northern Tennessee, where they tested wild ducks. In November and December, they found the D1.1 strain of H5N1, which is responsible for recent human infections. While this strain hasn’t yet caused widespread human-to-human transmission, scientists are on high alert.

In the U.S., the H5N1 virus has already caused significant disruptions in livestock and wildlife populations. Though cases of human infection have been rare and mostly mild, experts are closely monitoring developments to prevent a larger outbreak.

Wild Birds and the Future of Influenza Surveillance

The findings from Webby’s team suggest that wild birds, such as ducks and shorebirds, could be a major factor in the spread of H5N1 across North America. Their surveillance work has shown that the virus is being introduced into farmed and backyard flocks by migrating birds, rather than being contained by culling efforts.

As Webby’s team prepares for another round of sampling in May, their work continues to be crucial in tracking the evolution of the H5N1 virus and preventing a future pandemic. The research in Delaware Bay has proven invaluable, and scientists remain vigilant, ready to detect any new threats that may emerge from the skies.

In the world of pandemic prevention, understanding the spread of viruses in birds may be our best line of defense against the next flu outbreak. The next time you hear the squawk of a seagull, you might just be hearing a warning from nature itself.

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