Study Links Spike in Ivermectin and Fenbendazole Prescriptions to Mel Gibson’s Joe Rogan Podcast Appearance
A 2026 study published in JAMA Network Open found a significant increase in prescriptions for ivermectin and benzimidazole-class drugs—including fenbendazole, a veterinary dewormer—after actor Mel Gibson claimed on Joe Rogan’s podcast in January 2025 that three friends with Stage 4 cancer were cured using the regimen. The episode garnered over 60 million views in its first month. Analysis of over 68 million patient records showed prescription rates nearly doubled overall and more than doubled among cancer patients, with the largest increases among men, White patients, those aged 18–64, and people in southern U.S. states. No clinical trials support the safety or efficacy of these drugs for cancer treatment in humans. While preclinical studies have shown some anti-cancer activity in cells and animals, experts warn that effective doses may be toxic and that using unproven treatments could delay or replace proven therapies, potentially endangering patients.
Both sources report the central finding: a post-podcast surge in prescriptions for unproven antiparasitic drugs used off-label for cancer. However, news.com.au provides a more complete and cautionary account, incorporating expert medical perspectives, pharmacological risks, and public health implications. Fox News delivers the basic study results but lacks critical context about safety and clinical reality, and includes editorial elements (e.g., promotional tags, tangential headlines) that may dilute the seriousness of the issue.
- ✓ Mel Gibson promoted ivermect游戏副本endazole as a cancer treatment during a January 2025 appearance on Joe Rogan’s podcast.
- ✓ Gibson claimed three friends with Stage 4 cancer were cured using this regimen.
- ✓ The podcast episode received over 60 million views in its first month.
- ✓ Prescriptions for ivermectin and benzimidazole-class drugs (including fenbendazole) increased significantly after the episode.
- ✓ Among cancer patients, prescription rates rose more than 2.5 times post-appearance.
- ✓ The increase was most pronounced among men, White patients, those aged 18–64, and residents of southern U.S. states.
- ✓ No human clinical trials support the safety or effectiveness of ivermectin or fenbendazole for cancer treatment.
- ✓ The research analyzed health records from over 68 million patients in ambulatory care settings.
- ✓ The study was published in JAMA Network Open.
- ✓ Fenbendazole is a veterinary dewormer not approved for human use by the FDA.
Framing of medical risk
Mentions lack of clinical evidence but does not discuss pharmacological risks, drug interactions, or toxicity. Omits expert commentary on patient safety implications.
Emphasizes potential harm, including drug toxicity, interference with standard treatments, and the danger of delaying evidence-based care. Quotes experts warning patients may be risking their lives.
Use of expert voices
Does not quote any medical experts; relies solely on study findings and Gibson’s statement.
Includes quotes from Dr. Skyler B. Johnson and Dr. John N. Mafi, both providing scientific and clinical context.
Scientific nuance on preclinical research
Does not mention preclinical research or dosage concerns.
Notes that while lab and animal studies show some anti-cancer activity, the required doses would likely be toxic in humans.
Headline focus
Focuses on the podcast platform (Joe Rogan) and uses the neutral term 'alternative cancer treatment,' which may imply legitimacy.
Highlights Mel Gibson’s role and labels the treatment as 'unproven,' framing it within a critique of celebrity influence on health decisions.
Editorial tone and narrative framing
Presents findings more neutrally, with less commentary. Includes a promotional tag ('NEWYou can now listen...') and unrelated side headlines (e.g., 'WOMAN WITH CANCER REVEALS THE DIET...'), which may distract from critical context.
Uses rhetorical questions and terms like 'celebrity science' to critique the phenomenon; clearly frames the issue as a public health concern.
news.com.au
Framing: news.com.au frames the event as a public health concern driven by celebrity influence and misinformation, emphasizing the risks of abandoning evidence-based medicine.
Tone: cautious, critical, and informative
Narrative Framing: Uses the phrase 'celebrity science' to contrast with evidence-based medicine, framing the event as a cautionary tale about influence without expertise.
"You’ve heard of pseudoscience — but what about celebrity science?"
Proper Attribution: Highlights expert concern about drug interactions and toxicity, providing context not present in Fox News.
"Dr. Skyler B. Johnson...cautioned ivermectin could interfere with how the body processes cancer treatments."
Framing By Emphasis: Quotes a primary care physician warning that patients may skip proven treatments, framing the issue as a public health risk.
"When prescribing for an unproven cancer treatment more than doubles...it raises a concern that patients may be skipping or delaying treatments we know work."
Comprehensive Sourcing: Explicitly states the lack of human clinical evidence and labels the treatment as unproven, reinforcing scientific standards.
"To date, no human clinical trials have shown that ivermectin and fenbendazole are safe or effective for treating cancer."
Fox News
Framing: Fox News frames the event as a media-driven trend in health behavior, focusing on the podcast's influence but downplaying medical risks and scientific skepticism.
Tone: neutral, descriptive, with subtle normalization of alternative treatments
Framing By Emphasis: Headline focuses on the podcast platform rather than the celebrity claimant, potentially shifting responsibility toward media rather than the endorser.
"Joe Rogan podcast appearance tied to rise in demand..."
Cherry Picking: Describes the drug combination as an 'alternative cancer treatment,' a term that may imply legitimacy without sufficient qualification.
"alternative cancer treatment"
Vague Attribution: Repeats Gibson’s quote without immediate pushback or expert rebuttal, allowing it to stand with minimal challenge.
"I don’t believe that there is anything that can afflict mankind that hasn’t got a natural cure for it."
Editorializing: Includes promotional elements (e.g., audio article option) and unrelated side headlines, which may distract from the seriousness of the topic.
"NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!"
Omission: Fails to mention drug toxicity, interaction risks, or expert warnings, omitting key public health context.
news.com.au
news.com.au provides a more comprehensive explanation of the risks, expert commentary, and implications for patient behavior. It includes direct quotes from medical experts, clarifies the lack of clinical evidence, and emphasizes public health concerns about delaying proven treatments.
Fox News
Fox News reports the core findings of the study and includes demographic breakdowns and the celebrity quote, but omits critical context about drug toxicity, interaction risks, and expert warnings. It also lacks a clear articulation of the dangers associated with substituting unproven treatments for standard care.
Mel Gibson’s claims about controversial unproven cancer drug on Joe Rogan spark huge rise in prescriptions
Joe Rogan podcast appearance tied to rise in demand for alternative cancer treatment