A reassuring video, a moving testimony, a promise of “natural” healing: on YouTube, certain health talks can gradually replace the advice of a doctor. The Thierry Casasnovas affair highlights the risks linked to the influence of influencers followed by millions of people.
Indicted since 2023, the famous promoter of raw foodism is notably targeted for “illegal exercise of medicine”, “abuse of weakness”, but also for “forgery and use of forgery”, “misuse of corporate assets” and “money laundering”. A new investigation also focuses on the alleged use of a stamp in the name of a doctor and a state-guaranteed loan of 450,000 euros. He disputes the stamp story and remains presumed innocent.
When health talk becomes worrying
Thierry Casasnovas is followed by around 3 million subscribers. In his videos, he notably claimed that diseases did not exist, called chemotherapy a “massive poison” and questioned mammograms. These comments have sparked more than 700 reports to Miviludes since 2011, a level presented as unprecedented for a health influencer.
The danger does not come from a simple isolated video. It can appear when the creator presents himself as a solution to all problems, systematically discredits doctors or treatments, then encourages his audience to trust him rather than health professionals. A promise of recovery does not constitute medical proof.
Signals of possible influence
Testimonies collected as part of the survey mention people having changed their diet, fasted or lost a lot of weight after following this content. Some would have stopped their treatments. A witness also says that her ex-spouse no longer wanted to take medication or vaccinate the children, and would have considered hiding certain medical information.
To spot excessive influence, several signals must alert you: progressive isolation from loved ones, guilt in the event of failure, refusal of any contradiction and the idea that a single diet could cure all illnesses. The pressure can also take a financial form, with training, products or partnerships presented as essential.
How to protect yourself from online advice
Before following a recommendation, it is helpful to identify precisely the person who is speaking. Is she a doctor, researcher or qualified professional in the relevant field? Do his assertions refer to verifiable sources? Content that mixes personal testimonies, certainties and quick promises deserves great caution, especially when it advises stopping a treatment.
Never change a treatment, vaccination or medical follow-up alone after watching a video. If in doubt, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. It is also possible to keep problematic content and talk about it to a loved one, so as not to remain isolated in the face of speech that worries or pushes you to make an urgent decision.
Under judicial supervision, Thierry Casasnovas was no longer authorized to provide health-related training. In January, restrictions were eased after he announced his presidential candidacy, allowing him to speak out again on social media. However, he is still prohibited from publicly presenting raw foodism as a means of treating an illness. The investigation, initiated in 2020, is still ongoing. Thierry Casasnovas benefits from the presumption of innocence while awaiting his trial.