They thought these practices were groundbreaking, but now we know they were downright deadly.
Back in the 60s and 70s, doctors handed out advice that would absolutely stun us today. What once sounded cutting-edge, helpful, or even compassionate is now recognized as reckless or downright lethal. In those days, both doctors and patients operated with limited information, trusting that medical science was always moving forward. But many of these so-called advancements were actually harmful detours, filled with dangerous assumptions and a staggering lack of proper research.
Looking back, it’s both sobering and surreal to realize how easily people put their faith in these misguided treatments. Bizarre remedies and risky recommendations were handed out with full confidence, often causing far more harm than good. These medical missteps now serve as cautionary tales, reminding us how much progress has been made—and how much we still need to approach new medical advice with healthy skepticism.
1. Smoking Was Actually Prescribed for Stress Relief
It’s almost unthinkable now, but there was a time when lighting up a cigarette was practically endorsed by medical professionals. Doctors frequently suggested smoking as a legitimate way to relax frayed nerves, improve concentration, and even manage weight. The advertising industry latched onto this narrative, pumping out glamorous images of doctors in white coats endorsing particular cigarette brands, claiming they were smoother or less irritating for the throat, as mentioned by Brynn Holland at History.
Of course, we now know that smoking is among the deadliest habits one can adopt, contributing to a host of chronic diseases including lung cancer, heart disease, stroke, and emphysema. The idea that inhaling toxic chemicals could ever have been seen as therapeutic is chilling. Over time, extensive research exposed the staggering health risks, leading to global public health campaigns that have saved millions of lives by curbing tobacco use.
2. Babies Were Given Coca-Cola to Treat Upset Stomachs
In what sounds like a scene from a surreal movie, some parents in the 60s were instructed to give their colicky or fussy babies small amounts of Coca-Cola to soothe upset stomachs. The rationale was that the carbonation might ease gas or nausea, providing relief for both baby and parent. Pediatricians and old wives’ tales alike helped fuel this bizarre recommendation.
With modern knowledge, we now understand how harmful this was. Soda contains high levels of sugar and caffeine, substances entirely inappropriate for an infant’s developing system. Such ingredients could easily contribute to digestive issues, jitteriness, and disrupted sleep patterns. Today, this advice feels almost criminally negligent, a stark reminder of how blindly society once accepted untested parenting shortcuts, as reported by Tim Newman at Medical News Today.
3. Lobotomies Were a Common Treatment for Mental Illness
The lobotomy era remains one of the most disturbing chapters in medical history. At its peak, this invasive procedure involved severing connections in the brain’s prefrontal cortex to treat various mental health disorders, from depression to schizophrenia to simple disobedience. Families often turned to lobotomies in desperation, hoping for a miracle cure when other treatments failed.
But the reality was horrifying. Many patients emerged from lobotomies permanently disabled, emotionally flat, or cognitively impaired. The practice became increasingly controversial as its devastating effects became undeniable, shares Thomas Beheler at Library of Congress Blogs. Eventually, advances in psychiatric medicine and growing public outcry led to the procedure’s abandonment. Looking back, it’s chilling that this brutal intervention was ever widely accepted as legitimate medicine.
4. Pregnant Women Were Told to Drink Alcohol for Relaxation
Decades ago, a glass of wine or beer during pregnancy was often encouraged as a way to soothe nerves or promote relaxation. Doctors reassured expecting mothers that a little alcohol wouldn’t harm the baby, sometimes even suggesting it could help improve sleep or reduce stress, both seen as beneficial for maternal health.
Today, we understand that no amount of alcohol is considered safe during pregnancy. Even small doses can interfere with fetal development, potentially causing lifelong conditions like Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders. The fact that such risky advice was once common reflects how limited medical knowledge was about prenatal health, and how much science has since evolved to better protect unborn children.
5. Doctors Recommended Amphetamines for Weight Loss
In the pursuit of quick and easy weight loss solutions, doctors regularly prescribed amphetamines—essentially prescription speed—to help patients shed pounds. These stimulant pills effectively suppressed appetite and provided bursts of energy, leading many to praise them as miracle drugs. Their popularity soared among housewives, celebrities, and anyone desperate to slim down quickly.
However, the darker side of amphetamines soon became clear. Users often developed serious addictions, along with dangerous side effects such as high blood pressure, heart complications, extreme mood swings, and even psychosis. Once the severity of these risks could no longer be ignored, medical guidelines shifted, and amphetamines were largely restricted. The legacy of this practice still lingers as a stark warning against quick fixes that overlook long-term consequences.
6. Mercury Was Used as a Cure-All for Various Ailments
For centuries, mercury was seen as a versatile medicine, prescribed for ailments ranging from syphilis to constipation to skin conditions. Physicians believed this toxic metal could purge the body of harmful substances, cleanse the system, or correct imbalances. Mercury-containing ointments, pills, and even vapor treatments were widely administered without a full understanding of the damage they could cause.
Prolonged mercury exposure wreaks havoc on the nervous system, leading to tremors, cognitive impairment, kidney damage, and even death. It’s astonishing that for so long, a substance now known to be highly poisonous was considered a healing agent. Thankfully, modern toxicology has thoroughly debunked mercury’s supposed benefits, relegating its medical use to the dark archives of history.
7. Sunbathing Was Recommended for Better Health
There was a time when doctors eagerly recommended sunbathing as a health booster. Sunshine was believed to treat depression, strengthen bones through vitamin D production, and even help skin conditions like acne and psoriasis. People were encouraged to spend long hours soaking up rays, with little to no warning about the risks involved.
Only much later did science reveal the serious dangers of excessive sun exposure, especially the increased risk of skin cancer, premature aging, and eye damage from ultraviolet radiation. While moderate sunlight remains beneficial in controlled amounts, the previous blind endorsement of unprotected sunbathing has been completely reversed. Today’s health guidelines stress protective measures like sunscreen, hats, and limited sun exposure.
8. Thalidomide Was Prescribed to Pregnant Women for Morning Sickness
Thalidomide was initially hailed as a wonder drug for pregnant women suffering from morning sickness. It was widely prescribed throughout the late 1950s and early 60s, praised for its ability to reduce nausea without noticeable side effects—at least in the short term. Pharmaceutical companies promoted it aggressively, and many doctors trusted these glowing endorsements.
The horrifying consequences soon surfaced as thousands of babies were born with severe birth defects, including malformed or missing limbs. The thalidomide tragedy became one of the most infamous medical disasters of the 20th century. It spurred a global overhaul of drug testing and regulatory standards, dramatically changing how medications are evaluated before being approved for use. Its haunting legacy remains a powerful reminder of the critical need for rigorous safety protocols.
9. Lead Was Used in Everything—Even Toothpaste
For much of the 20th century, lead was everywhere. It was an ingredient in paints, gasoline, plumbing pipes, cosmetics, and even toothpaste. The toxic effects of lead exposure were either unknown or dismissed, and manufacturers touted its benefits while ignoring the mounting evidence of harm.
Long-term exposure to lead can cause severe neurological and developmental damage, especially in children. Cognitive impairments, learning disabilities, behavioral problems, and even permanent brain damage became tragically common in communities with heavy lead exposure. Once the health crisis became impossible to deny, governments began banning lead in consumer products. The widespread use of lead remains one of the most alarming examples of regulatory failure in modern history.
10. Radium Was Used to Treat Everything from Arthritis to Acne
Radium, a radioactive element, was once marketed as a rejuvenating miracle substance. Doctors prescribed radium-laced waters, ointments, and pills for ailments ranging from arthritis and fatigue to acne and impotence. It was believed that the energy from radiation could stimulate healing processes and boost vitality.
Tragically, the long-term effects of radiation exposure were devastating. Many patients developed bone cancer, anemia, and other fatal conditions after ingesting or applying radium over extended periods. Public awareness grew as victims like the famous “Radium Girls” came forward, ultimately exposing the grave dangers of unchecked radiation therapies. Today, radium treatments serve as a grim testament to the perils of embracing new medical fads without thorough scientific understanding.
11. Children Were Exposed to X-Rays at Shoe Stores
In one of the more bizarre intersections of commerce and medicine, shoe stores once featured X-ray machines designed to measure foot size and ensure a proper shoe fit. Parents and children alike marveled at the novelty of seeing bones illuminated on the screen, while completely unaware of the dangers.
Repeated exposure to these X-ray machines posed significant health risks, especially for young children with developing bodies. Radiation exposure increases the long-term risk of cancer, and the lax safety protocols of these devices made them particularly hazardous. Eventually, the machines were removed from stores, but not before countless children were unnecessarily exposed to harmful radiation simply for the sake of shoe shopping.