Full Breakdown
Surge in Unproven Cancer Drug Prescriptions After Mel Gibson’s Endorsement on Joe Rogan Podcast
5/15/2026, 10:56:31 AM
Prescription Surge Following Celebrity Endorsement
In January 2025, actor Mel Gibson told host Joe Rogan that three friends with cancer improved after taking ivermectin and fenbendazole. The episode drew 13 million YouTube views. Researchers examining health records for more than 68 million Americans found a 2.5-fold rise in prescriptions of these drugs among cancer patients in first seven months of 2025 versus the same period in 2024, while overall prescriptions for the two agents doubled. The increase was pronounced among white men in the South.
Background on Ivermectin, Fenbendazole, and Influencer Use
Ivermectin is FDA-approved for parasitic infections; fenbendazole has no human approval. During the COVID-19 pandemic, ivermectin attracted a following seeking prophylaxis, and Rogan had previously promoted it despite lacking evidence for viral protection. Preclinical work suggests possible anticancer activity for ivermectin, and trials are underway, but no trial has shown efficacy for cancer patients.
Key Figures and Their Roles
- Mel Gibson – Actor claiming a natural cure exists for all diseases.
- Joe Rogan – Podcast host who broadcast Gibson’s comments.
- Researchers at Virginia Tech, UCLA, and the University of Michigan – Authors of the *JAMA Network Open* study.
- Michelle Rockwell – Virginia Tech researcher who noted clinicians’ difficulty.
- Dr. Shikha Jain – University of Illinois Cancer Center oncologist commenting on influencer-driven hope.
Official Responses, Criticism, and Impact
The study authors warned that patients might delay or abandon oncology care for unproven therapies, allowing disease progression. Virginia Tech researcher Michelle Rockwell noted clinicians’ difficulty when patients demand medications they believe will help. Oncologists including Dr. Shikha Jain stress that neither ivermectin nor fenbendazole has regulatory approval for cancer treatment and that anecdotal success stories can generate false hope. A Pew Research report notes that half of U.S. adults under 50 obtain health information from influencers lacking medical expertise, creating a “perfect storm” of fear and urgency. In response to misinformation, Spotify added advisory labels and links to vetted medical information on COVID-19 episodes, and musician Neil Young temporarily removed his catalog from the platform. The efficacy of the drugs for cancer remains unproven; preclinical signals exist but no clinical trial has confirmed benefit, highlighting an evidence gap.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I don’t believe that there is anything that can afflict mankind that hasn’t got a natural cure for it,” — Mel Gibson, Actor
- “Clinicians talk about how difficult it is when the patient demands or asks for a medication that they really feel passionately might help,” — Michelle Rockwell, Researcher, Virginia Tech
- “There’s this perfect storm of fear, urgency, uncertainty, information overload and then this desperate need for hope,” — Dr. Shikha Jain, Oncologist, University of Illinois Cancer Center
- “When somebody is offering you a magic cure for something and they give anecdotal examples, it can feel very hopeful.” — Dr. Shikha Jain, Oncologist, University of Illinois Cancer Center
