In the age of social media, everyone has a way of showing a new health trick, a miracle cure, or even a 'secret' to living longer.

When does a quirky wellness tip cross the line into dangerous territory?

That's the question swirling around a wellness coach who's raised eyebrows with her latest claims online.


Camilla Thompson is not an average health content creator.

With a polished online presence and a knack for self-promotion, she has been dubbed as 'Australia's leading biohacker'.

Thompson has built a loyal following, who go to her for her advice on how to live longer, feeling better, and 'hacking' the body's natural processes.


Her book, Biohackme, has promised readers a roadmap to better health, blending age-old wisdom with new health and wellness trends.

Thompson's recommendations go far beyond green smoothies and daily walks.

However, not everyone's buying what she's selling.


In her book, Camilla Thompson encouraged followers to consume strange items for the sake of living longer.

Some of these items include an industrial dye called methylene blue, volcanic rocks like zeolites, and colloidal silver sprayed down into people's throats.

Thompson has also made controversial claims about sunscreen.

While these products are made to protect the skin from the sun's harsh ultraviolet (UV) rays, Thompson claimed that some chemicals in these products cause cancer.

These claims have alarmed many in the medical community, including Sydney-based general practitioner Dr Brad McKay.

'She's lovely. She's really charming. She's really engaging,' Dr McKay, the author behind the book Fake Medicine, shared in an interview.

'It's just a pity everything she says is wrong.'


Real or fake: The science behind the claims

Let's break down some of the more controversial 'biohacks' Thompson has presented.

Methylene Blue is used as a dye and for treating certain medical conditions.

However, it is not approved for general consumption in Australia.

It's on the Therapeutic Goods Administration's (TGA) poison schedule and is administered with the proper prescription only.

Dr McKay warned that this dye could interact dangerously with antidepressants and potentially cause high blood pressure.

While some alternative health circles tout zeolites for 'detoxing', there's no solid scientific evidence stating that eating rocks could lead to better health.

The TGA disapproves of zeolites for therapeutic use.


Once marketed as a cure-all, colloidal silver could build up in the body and cause argyria.

Argyria causes a permanent bluish-grey skin discolouration.

There is no robust evidence for colloidal silver's health benefits, and health authorities do not recommend it.

What about the sunscreen claims?

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in Australia, and Thompson has been criticised for her comments about sunscreen.

The Cancer Council and several dermatologists refuted Thompson's claims.

Skin experts pointed to decades of research showing that sunscreen is safe and effective at preventing skin cancer.

Watch the full story about Camilla Thompson's claims here:

The disclaimer dilemma

Thompson's book did include a disclaimer, stating that these came from personal experiences.

She later clarified that her comments about sunscreens were taken out of context.

'I haven't said that sun cream can give you cancer, but there are certain chemicals that can hurt people absolutely, but I'm not saying sun cream, sunscreen, can give you cancer,' she explained.

Thompson also clarified that she was not offering medical advice and that readers should consult a healthcare professional before trying anything new.


However, Dr McKay pointed out that the line between personal anecdotes and public health advice could get blurry, especially for content creators with a massive social media following.

'It is infuriating as a doctor when you see people just providing education for the public, sounding very confident, but giving very inaccurate advice,' Dr McKay pointed out.

The wellness industry has seen a massive shift over the years and has targeted seniors with promises of vitality, longevity, and 'natural' cures.

'If you're speaking in fairy tales and having no medical backing behind what you're saying, then it can be very misleading for the Australian audience,' Dr McKay warned.

Aussie seniors have seen many health fads come and go over the years.

With so much conflicting information online, it's important to check sources.

If a health claim sounds too good to be true, consult a GP or a healthcare professional about it first.

If a supplement or 'biohack' is not approved by the TGA, there's probably a good reason why.
Have you ever tried a wellness trend that promised the world? Did it work—or did it leave you feeling worse? What's your take on the rise of 'biohacking' and wellness content creators online? Share your thoughts and opinions about this matter in the comments below.