With a disease like MS very little is known definitively about the direct cause. The broad theory is that something triggers the immune system to attack the nerve cells causing severe scaring (sclerosis) which degrades or eventually completely blocks neuron function. The biggest puzzle has been what causes the blood brain barrier breach in this autoimmune reaction. However, given how much we are now uncovering regarding the gut microbiome link with brain function and mental health, it’s plausible that a Clostridium infection in the gut could open such a pathway.

After posting my comment above I went back to the literature and confirmed that doxycycline does indeed cover clostridium perfringens. I would be very interested to see a patient trial, but I don’t expect many pharmaceutical companies are lining up to discover a new disease treatment for a drug that has been in commercial use for more than 50 years.

I’ve personally seen surprising improvement using the opposite approach - the addition of a low grade antibiotic (doxycycline) course. It’s been the only change to her treatment in the last several years. It’s astounding to see someone with relapsing remitting MS go from barely able to lift her hand to feed herself to almost standing on her own and doing a couple laps around the living room with a walker.

Edit: to add this is obviously an n of 1 anecdote, but it gives me an insight to investigate further.

I kept my old house as a rental only a mile away and I’m really glad to have sold it recently. Even being around the corner was a hassle, I can’t imagine doing it across the country. Maybe if you have a professional property manager taking care of it for you, but then that eats more into your income and your learning experience.

That’s a good point, we don’t want to use the CCP as a moral barometer. But by that same measure I would argue that it is appropriate to limit the availability of such a powerfully addictive app that is controlled by that same dictatorship. Especially since it has openly expressed a desire to reduce the US’ power and influence in the global arena.

That might be more like reciprocal treatment. Copying China would be allowing the gov’t control over the app and more importantly the algorithms that subtly nudge your feed without your notice.