Speaker: Jill Stansbury. The principle that some substances have opposite effects in small doses and in large doses is recognized in pharmacology, microbiology, homeopathy and other disciplines. In modern pharmacology, the term hormesis is used to denote the biphasic response. Examples include the biphasic effect of certain minerals, radiation and the herbs veratrum, aconite and poke root. The wide-ranging philosophical discussion touches on the vicinal and semi-crystalline qualities of water which may account for this effect.