Cover Scene from Netflix’s ‘(Un)Well’, a documentary series that examines wellness claims and scams (Screencap: Netflix)
Scene from Netflix’s ‘(Un)Well’, a documentary series that examines wellness claims and scams (Screencap: Netflix)
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From cultish yoga empires to celebrity-endorsed pseudoscience, these TV shows reveal the truth about modern wellness scams
In an era where the pursuit of wellness has become an increasingly lucrative industry, consumers are often enticed by promises of health and vitality. Juice cleanses, quick weight-loss plans, and trendy fitness routines easily find their way into the homes of the curious, the bored, and sadly, also the vulnerable. Beneath the glossy veneer of wellness culture lies a darker reality: the rise of wellness scams and rampant misinformation. Here are six shows that take a closer look at these deceptive practices and unmask modern wellness scams.
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‘Apple Cider Vinegar’
This six-part Netflix miniseries delves into the true story of Belle Gibson, portrayed by Kaitlyn Dever. Gibson, an Australian wellness influencer, falsely claimed to have cured her terminal brain cancer through natural remedies and clean eating. She built a massive following, launched a successful recipe app, and published a cookbook, all based on her fabricated illness. The series chronicles her rise to fame, obsession with other people's success, and subsequent exposure as a fraud, highlighting the dangers of misinformation in the wellness industry.
‘(Un)well’
This documentary series examines the lucrative wellness industry, focusing on specific practices such as essential oils, tantric sex, consumption of human breast milk, fasting, ayahuasca and bee-sting therapy. Through interviews with practitioners, consumers, and experts, the series questions the efficacy and safety of these treatments, revealing how some are more rooted in faith than science. It serves as a cautionary tale about the potential dangers of unregulated wellness practices.
‘The Vow’
An HBO documentary series that delves into the NXIVM organization, which marketed itself as a self-improvement group. Under the guise of wellness and personal development, it was revealed to be a cult involved in illegal activities. Its leader, Keith Raniere, was convicted of racketeering and sex trafficking. The series exposes how the promise of personal growth can be used to lure individuals into harmful situations, serving as a stark warning against blind trust in wellness gurus.
‘Bikram: Yogi, Guru, Predator’
This 2019 Netflix documentary delves into the rise and fall of Bikram Choudhury, the founder of Bikram Yoga. Directed by Eva Orner, the film features interviews with former students and employees who accuse Choudhury of sexual assault and misconduct. While the documentary doesn't examine the effectiveness of practicing Bikram, it does expose how Choudhury built a global yoga empire while allegedly preying on his followers, highlighting the dangers of unchecked authority within the wellness industry.
‘Bad Vegan’
The 2022 Netflix docuseries Bad Vegan: Fame. Fraud. Fugitives. chronicles the rise and fall of Sarma Melngailis, the owner of New York's renowned raw vegan restaurant, Pure Food and Wine. Melngailis becomes entangled with Anthony Strangis, a man who convinces her that he has access to secret wealth and can grant her dog immortality—if she obeys his increasingly bizarre financial demands. The series explores how Melngailis diverted funds from her restaurant to send Strangis large sums of money, leading to its closure and her eventual arrest for fraud. It serves as a cautionary tale about manipulation, coercion, and how even successful individuals can fall into elaborate cons.
These shows take a closer look at the darker side of the wellness world, encouraging viewers to question health claims and prioritize science-backed treatments. With so many quick fixes, “miracle” cures, and wellness scams out there, it's essential to discern fact from fiction to protect one's health and well-being.
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