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David Tuller

@davetuller1.bsky.social
2.5K followers 393 following 304 posts

Senior Fellow in Public Health and Journalism, Center for Global Public Health at the University of California, Berkeley. I blog at Virology Blog (virology.ws). My academic position is largely funded by donations from patients. davetuller@berkeley.edu

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David Tuller @davetuller1.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
WTF, Springer Nature? Removing offensive language about patients being "combative" and "reproachful" is not enough. You need to explain why the language was there in the first place. virology.ws/2026/10/10/t...
virology.ws
Trial By Error: Springer Nature Removes Description of "Fatigue" Patients as "Combative" and "Reproachful" | Virology Blog
By David Tuller, DrPH A month after publishing a German-language article about chronic fatigue syndrome as part of a larger project, Springer Nature has rem ...
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David Tuller @davetuller1.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
Actually, now 23,000...
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David Tuller @davetuller1.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
This interview about the has had 15,000+ views in the last few days. @georgemonbiot.bsky.social wrote an important column about the situation for ME/CFS patients, and I'm glad he found the time to talk with me about it. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Maae...
youtube.com
Interview with George Monbiot about Guardian column on ME/CFS
YouTube video by David M Tuller
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David Tuller @davetuller1.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Ha, thanks Tom!!
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David Tuller @davetuller1.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Wow, this interview with Guardian columnist @georgemonbiot.bsky.social about the mistreatment of people with ME/CFS has racked up 13,000 views in the last few days...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaaeQ7crLz4
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Reposted by David Tuller
Colleen Steckel @colleensteckel.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
For those not familiar, one recommendation was to adopt the Canadian Consensus Criteria. This ME/CFS-CCC led directly to the ME International Consensus Criteria (ME-ICC). Instead of adoption they created the current ME/CFS-IOM criteria that does not include the most severe symptoms seen in ME.
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David Tuller @davetuller1.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
This interview with @georgemonbiot.bsky.social has had almost 5,000 views since I posted it yesterday: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Maae...
youtube.com
Interview with George Monbiot about Guardian column on ME/CFS
YouTube video by David M Tuller
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David Tuller @davetuller1.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
thanks Adam!!
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David Tuller @davetuller1.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Here's my interview with Guardian columnist @georgemonbiot.bsky.social about his recent column on the awful treatment of people with ME/CFS: virology.ws/2026/10/01/t...
virology.ws
Trial By Error: Interview with George Monbiot on Recent Guardian Column | Virology Blog
By David Tuller, DrPH As I mentioned last week, George Monbiot, the British investigative journalist and longtime contributor to The Guardian, published a c ...
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Reposted by David Tuller
Billy Hanlon @bhanlon15.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Bateman Horne Center: Underlying Biological Abnormalities in Long COVID & ME/CFS - Sept 2026 Ft. Dr. Anthony Komaroff, Dr. Lily Chu, and Dr. Cindy Bateman www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nu5T...
youtube.com
Underlying Biological Abnormalities in Long COVID & ME/CFS - Sept 2026
YouTube video by Bateman Horne Center
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David Tuller @davetuller1.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Another blistering Guardian column about ME/CFS from @georgemonbiot.bsky.social: virology.ws/2026/09/26/t...
virology.ws
Trial By Error: Blistering New Monbiot Column on ME/CFS Mistreatment, Neglect | Virology Blog
By David Tuller, DrPH George Monbiot, the British investigative journalist and longtime contributor to The Guardian, has written a corker of a column about ...
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David Tuller @davetuller1.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Journal of Psychsomatic Research has recently published a first-person narrative of "cure" from the Lightning Process as if it were bonafide scientific "research" that somehow proved that the LP was effective. virology.ws/2026/09/25/t...
virology.ws
Trial By Error: Journal of Psychosomatic Research Publishes First-Person Account of "Cure" with the Lightning Process | Virology Blog
By David Tuller, DrPH The Journal of Psychosomatic Research (JPR), an official publication of the European Association of Psychosomatic Medicine (EAPM), has ...
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David Tuller @davetuller1.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Thanks. I've done my best.
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David Tuller @davetuller1.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
I don't know that they had that construct in mind at all, whether before or after 1988. I mean, maybe they did. I just don't know.
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David Tuller @davetuller1.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Hm, interesting that he cites me. It certainly wasn't ever my decision to combine the two. In general, I have tried to use what papers and other documents/governments have used, although of course it's complicated. I haven't been fully consistent as things have changed.
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David Tuller @davetuller1.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
As I understand it, it was ME in the UK. When the CDC in the 1988 Holmes paper identified the entity as CFS, the UK ran with that terminology and tried to disappear the ME throughout the 90s. But by CFS, they just meant really bad CF and didn't believe there was an actual ME.
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David Tuller @davetuller1.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
A study of The Switch, New Zealand's version of the Lightning Process, has generated some meaningless results--yet the paper suggests the findings are so robust that it "could be argued" that no RCT is needed to recommend the intervention. Hm. virology.ws/2026/09/09/t...
virology.ws
Trial By Error: A Study of The Switch, New Zealand's Homegrown Version of the Lightning Process, Yields Meaningless Findings | Virology Blog
By David Tuller, DrPH The Switch is a New Zealand variant of the Lighting Process, the so-called “mind-body” intervention created by a Phil Parker, a Britis ...
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David Tuller @davetuller1.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
good job! Amazing you got them to actually post a correction. Wired also made two corrections--including having to correct the name of the disease from "myalgic encephalopathy"--without a correction notice. A week later, it posted one, but described it as a spelling problem--which it wasn't.
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David Tuller @davetuller1.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
what they did was not kosher. You never make a substantive change without noting it in a correction. To call something a "clarification" as if that gets you out of highlighting the change is absurd and does not conform to journalism practice. No one should have to go through multiple exchanges.
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David Tuller @davetuller1.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Anil van der Zee @anilvanderzee.bsky.social received a Dutch royal distinction last week! Congrats, dear Anil!! Very well-deserved. I was asked to write a letter in support of the honor and was so pleased to do it. I've posted the letter here: virology.ws/2026/09/02/t...
virology.ws
Trial By Error: Patient Advocate Anil van der Zee Receives Dutch Royal Distinction | Virology Blog
By David Tuller, DrPHLast month, I was delighted to hear that my friend Anil van der Zee, who has been bed bound with ME/CFS for years, had been selected to ...
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David Tuller @davetuller1.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
I had in the past described them as his "powerful manly cognitions" but thought the shorter version read better.
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David Tuller @davetuller1.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
And now here's a trial of the Lightning Process for Long Covid from Canada's McMaster University. This stuff never ends... virology.ws/2026/08/22/t...
virology.ws
Trial By Error: Canada's McMaster University Launches Trial of Lightning Process for Long Covid | Virology Blog
By David Tuller, DrPH McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, has launched a clinical trial of the Lightning Process (LP), a well-known “mind-body” interv ...
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David Tuller @davetuller1.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
Many multidisciplinary/rehabilitation studies for ME/CFS, Long Covid, etc. pretend to have meaningful positive results. Here's one that clearly states the intervention didn't work: virology.ws/2026/07/23/t...
virology.ws
Trial By Error: No Benefits for Multidisciplinary Rehabilitation in New ME/CFS Study | Virology Blog
By David Tuller, DrPH It is refreshing to read a study about a rehabilitative intervention for ME/CFS or Long Covid or so-called “medically unexplained symp ...
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David Tuller @davetuller1.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
seems about right!!!
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David Tuller @davetuller1.bsky.social · 19/07/2026
How many times can these people do the same trial and get the same pathetic results? virology.ws/2026/07/18/t...
virology.ws
Trial By Error: Yet Another CBT Trial for Long Covid with Poor Results | Virology Blog
By David Tuller, DrPH The Journal of Psychosomatic Research has often served as a house organ of sorts for the “biopsychosocial” ideological brigades. That’ ...
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David Tuller @davetuller1.bsky.social · 12/07/2026
Actually, the study didn't use the word "reverse"--that was the headline of the Mirror story. But the study indicate these were substantive results. It seems to me they were generally modest results, and likely influenced by the inherent bias, and not clinically meaningful at 6 months.
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David Tuller @davetuller1.bsky.social · 12/07/2026
Can cognitive rehabilitation "reverse" cognitive symptoms associated with Long Covid? Yes, according to The Mirror. But that's not what a new study found. virology.ws/2026/07/11/t...
virology.ws
Trial By Error: Can "Cognitive Rehabilitation" for Long Covid "Reverse" Brain Fog? | Virology Blog
By David Tuller, DrPH Cognitive dysfunction, also known as “brain fog,” is among the most disabling aspects of Long Covid—and investigators have struggled t ...
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David Tuller @davetuller1.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
People continue to protest the Wired article on mind-body interventions for Long Covid, including calls for retraction: virology.ws/2026/06/29/t...
virology.ws
Trial By Error: Furor Over Wired's "Mind-Body" Article Continues | Virology Blog
By David Tuller, DrPH The furor over the Wired epic about mind-body treatments for Long Covid simmers on. "The Truth About Long Covid," published ...
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David Tuller @davetuller1.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
Nope. No idea. He's obviously changed his mind.
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David Tuller @davetuller1.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
My first post about that Wired piece: virology.ws/2026/06/09/t...
virology.ws
Trial By Error: The Truth According to Wired (and Alan Levinovitz) | Virology Blog
By David Tuller, DrPH Much has already been written about Alan Levinovitz’ 7,600-word love poem to the potential healing powers of so-called “mind-body” int ...
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David Tuller @davetuller1.bsky.social · 31/05/2026
I think that is in the Trump-verse?? That sort of think is totally kosher there.
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David Tuller @davetuller1.bsky.social · 31/05/2026
An interview with Professor Chris Ponting, a geneticist at the University of Edinburgh, about the recently announced follow-up to DecodeME called Sequence ME & Long Covid. virology.ws/2026/05/31/t...
virology.ws
Trial By Error: Interview with Chris Ponting about "Sequence ME & Long Covid" | Virology Blog
By David Tuller, DrPH Last year’s release of the results from the DecodeME, a UK-based genome wide association study of more than 15,000 DNA samples, genera ...
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David Tuller @davetuller1.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
In his "gotcha" comment, Zachary Grin wrote: "The journal does not need to issue a correction. You need to correct your misunderstanding. There is no way for you to twist this one." Oops! The journal and the authors apparently disagreed with Zachary. Nice try, Zachary!!!
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David Tuller @davetuller1.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
After I asked for a correction for a paper's categorical statement about what is "generating" functional neurological symptoms, a therapist specializing in FND demanded I apologize to the authors. However, the authors immediately said they will revise the problematic sentence. 1/
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David Tuller @davetuller1.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
Last year, I posted a blog about a major treatment trial for functional motor disorder. Three people posted critical comments that, unknown to me, were blocked by the algorithm. I have now approved them and am reposting this blog so people can read them: virology.ws/2025/04/21/t...
virology.ws
Trial By Error: Null Results in Physiotherapy Trial for Functional Motor Disorder | Virology Blog
By David Tuller, DrPH *May 28, 2026: After I posted this blog last year, two FND patients and a physical therapist specializing in FND posted critical comme ...
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David Tuller @davetuller1.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
I wrote a letter to a journal asking for a correction to a categorical statement about functional neurological symptoms. An FND expert demanded I apologize to the journal and the authors. I responded. Here's our exchange. virology.ws/2026/05/27/t...
virology.ws
Trial By Error: My Exchange with an FND Physical Therapy Specialist | Virology Blog
By David Tuller, DrPH When I write about functional neurological disorder (FND) or functional neurological symptoms, I sometimes get feedback from Zachary G ...
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David Tuller @davetuller1.bsky.social · 25/05/2026
A recent paper made a categorical assertion about the cause of functional neurological symptoms. This definitive statement is unwarranted, given the state of the evidence. I have written to the journal asking for the sentence to be corrected: virology.ws/2026/05/25/t...
virology.ws
Trial By Error: My Request for Correction of Causal Claim for Functional Neurological Symptoms | Virology Blog
By David Tuller, DrPH This morning I sent the following letter to CNS Spectrums, a neuroscience journal published by Cambridge University Press. Subject lin ...
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David Tuller @davetuller1.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
After years of declaring categorically that functional neurological disorder was solely a brain "software" problem with nothing else wrong, FND experts now acknowledge that the "software"-only hypothesis is out the window: virology.ws/2026/05/20/t...
virology.ws
Trial By Error: So FND Is Not Only a Brain
By David Tuller, DrPH For decades, experts in functional neurological disorder (FND) have categorically asserted that the condition is strictly a
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David Tuller @davetuller1.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
Thanks, @jenniejacques1.bsky.social!!
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David Tuller @davetuller1.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
This has been a challenging crowdfunding for Berkeley's Trial by Error project on ME, ME/CFS, Long COVID, etc, but it seems like things are catching up in the final days. Now at 80% of the goal! Thanks to all!!! crowdfund.berkeley.edu/project/49720
crowdfund.berkeley.edu
Trial By Error: Reporting on ME and ME/CFS, Long COVID, etc
Help UC Berkeley raise $75,000 for the project: Trial By Error: Reporting on ME and ME/CFS, Long COVID, etc. Your gift will make a difference!
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David Tuller @davetuller1.bsky.social · 05/05/2026
Thanks!!! The campaign has now reached 72% of the goal. For those who'd like to support the project, here's the link: crowdfund.berkeley.edu/project/49720
crowdfund.berkeley.edu
Trial By Error: Reporting on ME and ME/CFS, Long COVID, etc
Help UC Berkeley raise $75,000 for the project: Trial By Error: Reporting on ME and ME/CFS, Long COVID, etc. Your gift will make a difference!
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David Tuller @davetuller1.bsky.social · 05/05/2026
A few news items--"frail & furious" is this year's #MillionsMissing slogan; psych confab hosts usual suspects on Long COVID; LC Activists channel ACT UP!!: virology.ws/2026/05/04/t...
virology.ws
Trial By Error: News Bits--"Frail & Furious" for #Millions Missing; Usual Suspects at Psych Confab; Long COVID Advocates Channel ACT UP | Virology Blog
By David Tuller, DrPH *This is a crowdfunding month at UC Berkeley. If you’d like to support my work, the link is here. ********** "Frail and Furi ...
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David Tuller @davetuller1.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
I am very touched that Berkeley's crowdfunder for Trial By Error has now received more than 500 donations. If you'd like to support my work exposing bogus research into ME, ME/CFS, Long COVID, etc, here's how: crowdfund.berkeley.edu/project/49720
crowdfund.berkeley.edu
Trial By Error: Reporting on ME and ME/CFS, Long COVID, etc
Help UC Berkeley raise $75,000 for the project: Trial By Error: Reporting on ME and ME/CFS, Long COVID, etc. Your gift will make a difference!
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David Tuller @davetuller1.bsky.social · 03/05/2026
A recently published paper reported that incidence of ME/CFS peaks in adolescence and in early middle-age. I spoke with senior author Audrey Ryback, an immunologist at the U of Edinburgh, about the findings and what they might mean. www.youtube.com/watch?v=le0v...
youtube.com
Interview with University of Edinburgh immunologist Audrey Ryback
YouTube video by David M Tuller
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David Tuller @davetuller1.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
For ten years, I've been pushing back against problematic research suggesting that ME, ME/CFS, Long COVID and related illnesses are psyhosomatic, "functional," etc. I'm continuing the project through December. If you'd like to help out: crowdfund.berkeley.edu/project/49720
crowdfund.berkeley.edu
Trial By Error: Reporting on ME and ME/CFS, Long COVID, etc
Help UC Berkeley raise $75,000 for the project: Trial By Error: Reporting on ME and ME/CFS, Long COVID, etc. Your gift will make a difference!
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David Tuller @davetuller1.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
I think George has a lot of things to work on, and a lot of issues that need his attention, unfortunately...
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David Tuller @davetuller1.bsky.social · 28/04/2026
Berkeley's crowdfunder for Trial By Error has received 350 donations!! Thanks to all who have supported my work over the years. Here's the link for the current effort: crowdfund.berkeley.edu/project/49720
crowdfund.berkeley.edu
Trial By Error: Reporting on ME and ME/CFS, Long COVID, etc
Help UC Berkeley raise $75,000 for the project: Trial By Error: Reporting on ME and ME/CFS, Long COVID, etc. Your gift will make a difference!
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David Tuller @davetuller1.bsky.social · 26/04/2026
Berkeley's spring crowdfunder for Trial By Error has reached 50% of the goal, with 9 days left to go!!! crowdfund.berkeley.edu/project/4972...
crowdfund.berkeley.edu
Trial By Error: Reporting on ME and ME/CFS, Long COVID, etc
Help UC Berkeley raise $75,000 for the project: Trial By Error: Reporting on ME and ME/CFS, Long COVID, etc. Your gift will make a difference!
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David Tuller @davetuller1.bsky.social · 26/04/2026
eClinicalMedicine, a Lancet journal, has now also published the authors' response. They agree that they were "overly assertive" in promoting exercise--but did not correct the language in their revisions. virology.ws/2026/04/26/t...
virology.ws
Trial By Error: Claims on Exercise for Long COVID Were "Overly Assertive," Agree Meta-Analysis Authors | Virology Blog
By David Tuller, DrPH *This is a crowdfunding month at UC Berkeley. If you’d like to support my work, the link is here. I posted two days ago that a Lancet ...
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David Tuller @davetuller1.bsky.social · 26/04/2026
With 10 days left, closing in on 300 donations. I think I've provided a good return on investment over the years. I'm looking to do that for another six months: crowdfund.berkeley.edu/project/49720
crowdfund.berkeley.edu
Trial By Error: Reporting on ME and ME/CFS, Long COVID, etc
Help UC Berkeley raise $75,000 for the project: Trial By Error: Reporting on ME and ME/CFS, Long COVID, etc. Your gift will make a difference!
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