Has Dr. Ben Carson published research linking honey to dementia treatment?

1. Who is being named — and what fact‑checkers say

Claims on social media and in ad-like “news” screenshots have repeatedly named Dr. Ben Carson as the author or endorser of quick dementia cures; Reuters, AFP and Lead Stories say those headlines are fabricated and that Carson’s representatives call such claims “completely fake” or that there is no evidence he ever made those findings ^{[1] [5] [3]}. Fact‑checkers specifically flagged ads that use Carson’s image and name to sell supplements or nasal sprays, and they found no credible reporting that he developed or endorsed those products ^{[5] [2]}.

2. Are there peer‑reviewed studies about honey and dementia?

Yes — scientific interest in honey’s potential neuroprotective effects appears in peer‑reviewed journals, for example a 2025 review article titled “Honey as a Neuroprotective Agent: Molecular Perspectives on Its Role in Alzheimer’s Disease” ^[4]. That paper discusses molecular mechanisms and experimental findings about honey and Alzheimer’s disease, but it is authored by Navarro‑Hortal et al., not Ben Carson ^[4].

3. Do the fact‑checked claims match the scientific record?

No. The viral posts and product pages that credit Carson with discovering or publishing a honey‑based dementia cure do not match the scientific record documented in available reporting: fact‑checkers found no credible reports linking Carson to dementia‑curing research, and Carson’s spokespeople deny involvement ^{[2] [1]}. Available reporting does not name any peer‑review publication by Carson on honey or dementia ^{[1] [2]}.

4. What the scientific review actually says (and what it doesn’t)

The 2025 Nutrients review explores molecular perspectives and experimental evidence that components of honey may have antioxidant, anti‑inflammatory or other properties relevant to neurodegeneration; it is a literature review rather than proof of a human cure, and it does not claim honey reverses dementia in people ^[4]. The paper’s existence shows legitimate research interest in honey, but it is not evidence that any clinician — much less the public figure named in ads — has published a proven treatment ^[4].

5. Why scammers use celebrity names and how to judge such claims

Marketing pages and social posts often pair fabricated headlines with celebrity photos to exploit trust; fact‑checking organizations warn this pattern is used to sell untested supplements and devices, and the FDA and National Institute on Aging advise skepticism about “miracle” cures on social media ^[2]. Fact‑checkers repeatedly found the Carson endorsements to be fake and urged consumers not to accept ad claims without independent verification ^{[2] [3]}.

6. Competing perspectives and limitations in reporting

Reporting from Reuters, AFP and Lead Stories uniformly rejects the specific claim that Carson published or endorsed a honey cure ^{[1] [5] [3]}. At the same time, scientific literature (e.g., the 2025 review) shows researchers are investigating honey’s neuroprotective potential — a legitimate line of inquiry separate from the false marketing narrative ^[4]. Available sources do not mention any peer‑review paper by Ben Carson on honey or dementia, nor do they discuss clinical trials proving honey as a treatment ^{[1] [2] [4]}.

7. Practical takeaway for readers

Do not rely on social‑media ads that attribute dementia cures to Dr. Ben Carson; fact‑checks say those endorsements are fabricated and Carson’s representatives deny them ^{[1] [2]}. If you’re exploring nutrition or supplements for cognitive health, consult licensed clinicians and look for randomized, peer‑reviewed clinical trials rather than marketing claims — and note that current authoritative sources emphasize there is no established cure for Alzheimer’s or most dementias ^{[2] [3] [4]}.