Unproven Cancer Treatment Gains Traction After Actor's Joe Rogan Appearance

A sharp rise in the use of ivermectin among cancer patients has been linked to comments made by Hollywood actor Mel Gibson, according to a new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). Researchers found that prescriptions for ivermectin and the compound benzimidazole increased by more than 160% between 2024 and 2025, despite the absence of clinical evidence supporting their use as cancer treatments. The study analysed health data from more than 68 million people.

The increase followed Mel Gibson's appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast on January 9, 2025, where he claimed that three of his friends with stage four cancer had successfully treated their disease using ivermectin. The actor suggested that the antiparasitic drug could cure cancer, a statement that quickly gained attention across social media and online health communities, influencing some patients to explore the medication as an alternative therapy.

Researchers reported "disproportionate increases" in ivermectin prescriptions among male patients, White patients, residents of the southern United States and individuals diagnosed with cancer. The findings highlight the significant influence celebrity endorsements can have on public health decisions, particularly when discussing serious medical conditions that often leave patients searching for experimental or unconventional treatment options.

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Medical experts, however, have strongly cautioned against relying on ivermectin for cancer treatment. Dr. John Mafi, associate professor of medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, said the drug's effectiveness against cancer has not been demonstrated in any confirmatory clinical trial, which remains the accepted scientific standard for proving that a treatment is safe and effective for patients.

Ivermectin is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating certain parasitic infections in humans and is also widely used as a deworming medication for livestock. The FDA has not authorised ivermectin as a treatment for cancer, and health professionals have warned that delaying or abandoning evidence-based therapies in favour of unproven alternatives could negatively affect patient outcomes.

Meanwhile, Mel Gibson continues to work on his upcoming directorial project, The Resurrection of Christ, which is scheduled for release in two parts on May 6, 2027, and May 25, 2028. While the actor's remarks have sparked renewed debate over alternative medical treatments, researchers and doctors continue to emphasise that cancer patients should seek guidance from qualified healthcare professionals and rely on therapies supported by rigorous scientific evidence.

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