[chris (OP)]

A study last year in the BMJ (British Medical Journal) and reviewed in this BBC news article, looks at a clinical blind trial to test the therapeutic potential of magnetic bracelets.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4582282.stm

Not surprisingly the result was no difference between placebo (non-magnetic bracelets) versus magnetic bracelets.

However, don't be lulled into thinking that the body doesn't respond to magnetic fields. Oxygenated haemoglobin is diamagnetic - repelled by a magnetic field) whilst deoxygenated haemoglobin is paramagnetic - attracted to a magnetic field. This is how MRI scanners can tell the two forms apart in certain types of scan.

However, at the strength of a fridge magnet, which these bracelets essentially are, there will be no clinical effect on haemoglobin.

Chris

[paul.fr]

So their "healing power" is purely in the mind of the wearer of the bracelet?

[Karen W.]

A study last year in the BMJ (British Medical Journal) and reviewed in this BBC news article, looks at a clinical blind trial to test the therapeutic potential of magnetic bracelets.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4582282.stm

Not surprisingly the result was no difference between placebo (non-magnetic bracelets) versus magnetic bracelets.

However, don't be lulled into thinking that the body doesn't respond to magnetic fields. Oxygenated haemoglobin is diamagnetic - repelled by a magnetic field) whilst deoxygenated haemoglobin is paramagnetic - attracted to a magnetic field. This is how MRI scanners can tell the two forms apart in certain types of scan.

However, at the strength of a fridge magnet, which these bracelets essentially are, there will be no clinical effect on haemoglobin.

Chris

Chris does one form of those two, oxygenated or deoxygenated actually form the image or help form the image for the cat scan.. I am cuious how that worksthe magnetic use separates is it body molecules or what .. then when the machine stops they go back forming an image is that close??

[Bored chemist]

I'm pretty sure that you could form an MRI image without haemoglobin or the oxygenated form.
Here's lots of stuff about it, they feature an image of nerves which don't have much haem.
 Long ago when I learned about this they relied on the pH dependent proton nmr shift of phosphate derivatives. I started reading the wiki article but my head statred to spin round.

[another_someone]

Chris does one form of those two, oxygenated or deoxygenated actually form the image or help form the image for the cat scan.. I am cuious how that worksthe magnetic use separates is it body molecules or what .. then when the machine stops they go back forming an image is that close??

CAT scans are very different from MRI scans.  CAT scans are just sophisticated X-rays in 3D, and have nothing to do with magnetic fields.

[Karen W.]

Chris does one form of those two, oxygenated or deoxygenated actually form the image or help form the image for the cat scan.. I am cuious how that worksthe magnetic use separates is it body molecules or what .. then when the machine stops they go back forming an image is that close??

CAT scans are very different from MRI scans.  CAT scans are just sophisticated X-rays in 3D, and have nothing to do with magnetic fields.

Whoops sorry George I did not mean cat scans.. I will correct it.. So Sorry.. I was a bit sleepy!

[Karen W.]

Chris does one form of those two, oxygenated or deoxygenated actually form the image or help form the image for the MRI Pictures??? I am curious how that works the magnetism use, separates what in the body, molecules or what? Then when the machine stops they go back forming an image is that close??

CAT scans are very different from MRI scans.  CAT scans are just sophisticated X-rays in 3D, and have nothing to do with magnetic fields.

Whoops sorry George I did not mean cat scans.. I will correct it.. So Sorry.. I was a bit sleepy!