25 Debunked Myths You Won’t Believe People Still Fall For
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In an age when everyone has easy access to all the information they may need, you would expect people to get their facts right. However, myths and misconceptions are surprisingly resilient. According to a 2016 study published in the journal Cognition, false beliefs can persist even when people are presented with factual corrections.
The power of repetition and confirmation bias often means that people continue to believe in widely debunked myths. Read on to debunk 25 stubborn myths that many still accept as truth, despite ample evidence to the contrary.
Humans Only Use 10% of Their Brain
The myth that humans only use 10% of their brains is pervasive, despite being debunked by neuroscientists. The origin of this myth is murky, but it gained popularity in the early 20th century.
In fact, virtually every part of the brain is engaged at some point over a 24 hour period, said Dr. Barry Gordon, neurologist at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Brain imaging research suggests we use a variety of areas in the brain even for the most simple of
Cracking Knuckles Causes Arthritis
The sound of cracked knuckles often leaves people cringing, accompanied by the warning “You’re going to get arthritis!” But studies time and again have shown no direct connection between knuckle cracking and arthritis.
The popping sound is simply the bubbles bursting in the synovial fluid, the film of fluid that surrounds your joints, according to the Arthritis Foundation. A study published in the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine found no correlation between knuckle-cracking and the development of osteoarthritis.
Goldfish Have a 3-Second Memory
Unfortunately, goldfish often get a bad reputation for having only a memory of three seconds, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. A study by Culum Brown at Macquarie University demonstrated that goldfish can remember tasks and information for months.
These results match studies published in the Journal of Fish Biology that goldfish can recognize their owners, tell apart shapes, the colors, and even sounds. Goldfish, far from being plain swimming automatons, are surprisingly very able.
The Great Wall of China Is Visible from Space
The Great Wall of China is a remarkable achievement in architectural terms, but it is not visible to the naked eye from space. Although the Wall is long, it is not wide enough to be seen without technical help from the International Space Station or elsewhere in orbit, NASA astronauts have confirmed.
Part of the reason this myth took grip was because the Wall was a symbol of human achievement. The idea that the Wall could be spotted from space was first published in Richard Halliburton’s 1938 book “Second Book of Marvels,” and stuck. However, visibility from space depends as much on contrast with the surrounding environment as it does on size.
Shaving Makes Hair Grow Back Thicker
The idea that shaving causes hair to grow back thicker and darker is a persistent myth, but it’s not supported by scientific evidence. According to the Mayo Clinic, shaving hair gives it a blunt tip, which may feel coarse or “stubbly” as it grows out, but this doesn’t mean the hair itself is thicker or darker.
The thickness and color of hair are determined by factors such as genetics and hormones, not by shaving.This misconception may persist due to the tactile sensation of regrown hair and the visual effect of stubble.
Lightning Never Strikes the Same Place Twice
“Lightning never strikes the same place twice” is a saying intended to reassure, but it doesn’t hold up under scrutiny. In fact, lightning does strike the same spot several times over, especially if the spot is tall, pointed, isolated.
For instance, the Empire State Building in New York is struck by lightning nearly 25 times a year according to the National Weather Service The adage likely persists because people want to believe in a level of predictability in chaotic natural events. NASA studies of lightning patterns reveal that strikes often revisit the same general area during a single storm.
Bulls Are Enraged by the Color Red
Contrary to the dramatic scenes depicted in bullfights, bulls are not enraged by the color red. Bulls, like other cattle, are dichromats, meaning they perceive two colors. To them, red appears as a shade of gray. What actually provokes the bull is the movement of the matador’s cape, according to a review published in the Journal of Animal Science.
The association between bulls and the color red likely stems from the use of a red cape in bullfighting traditions, known as the muleta. The color red is primarily selected for its importance in the Spanish cultural heritage and to hide bloodstains, not for its ability to irritate the bull.
You Should Wait 24 Hours to Report a Missing Person
A dangerous myth is the idea that to report a missing person, you must wait 24 hours. You may file a missing persons report with no required waiting period. Law enforcement agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), encourage that missing individuals be reported as soon as possible.
Time is important in such cases, and moving quickly to report may improve the chances of locating the person safely. The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) emphasizes the importance of quick action to gather evidence and interviews while leads are fresh.
Bats Are Blind
“Bats are blind” is a common saying, but in truth, bats see quite well. Most bat species have eyes that are adapted for their nocturnal lifestyle, allowing them to see in low-light conditions. Echolocation is an additional sensory tool they use to hunt and navigate, enhancing their perception rather than compensating for blindness.
Research from the University of Illinois highlights how echolocation and vision work together to give bats detailed views of their environment. It’s a highly evolved system that allows them to capture prey with remarkable precision, even in complete darkness.
Dogs See in Black and White
It’s a long-standing myth that dogs can only see in black and white, but the reality is more colorful. Dogs have dichromatic vision, which means they see two primary colors—blue and yellow. Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara indicate that dogs are unable to distinguish between red and green, rather than lacking color vision entirely.
Perhaps the misconception first arose from early studies that were not fully aware of canine eye structure. Dogs are different than humans, we have only three types of cone cell in our retinaes while dogs only have two. That means their color palette is small against ours, but they do see a world of color.
Napoleon Was Extremely Short
Napoleon Bonaparte’s height has been the subject of much debate and mythology, leading to the misconception that he was extremely short. Historical records show that Napoleon stood around 5 feet 7 inches tall, which was average for a Frenchman of his era.
Perhaps the myth of his striking stature was actually British propaganda designed to belittle the little Frenchman. There also wasn’t an agreed system of measurement because the French and British systems were different at the time.
If You Swallow Gum, It Stays in Your Stomach for 7 Years
Many still believe in the myth that swallowed gum stays in your stomach for 7 years. In reality gum does not stay in your stomach for years, although the body can’t digest it. The indigestible part of gum is excreted from the digestive system relatively untouched in the same manner as other non digestible substances pass through it.
The Mayo Clinic reports that swallowed gum will pass through your system in a few days. The myth likely continues because of the unusual texture of gum compared to other foods, making it seem plausible that it could linger in the stomach.
Carrots Improve Your Eyesight Significantly
The notion that eating carrots will dramatically save your eyesight has been a myth perpetuated by wartime propaganda. During World War II, the British Royal Air Force credited their pilots’ way of seeing in the dark to eating carrots to cover up advances in radar technology.A diet rich in vitamin A helps to promote eye health overall, but it cannot significantly improve normal vision or night vision, according to research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. There are other factors that are much more significant, including genetics as well as eye care.
Hair and Nails Continue Growing After Death
The unsettling notion that hair and nails continue to grow after death is more fiction than fact. In reality, the appearance of growth is due to the skin dehydrating and retracting, making nails and hair appear longer.
Medical experts from the College of American Pathologists confirm that cellular metabolism must be active for growth; when cells die, they stop growing. Dehydration and other changes can alter appearances, but true growth involves the division of living cells, which stops shortly after death.
A Penny Dropped from a Skyscraper Could Kill Someone
The idea that a penny dropped from a skyscraper could kill someone is a dramatic myth, but physics tells a different story. Due to air resistance, a penny reaches a terminal velocity of about 25 mph, which is insufficient to cause fatal harm upon impact.
The MythBusters team tested this myth and confirmed that a falling penny wouldn’t penetrate human skin. The myth may have persisted due to its sensational nature, capturing imaginations with its potential danger.
Einstein Failed Math in School
It has been proven time and time again that the claim that Albert Einstein failed math in school is a myth. Einstein excelled in math and even mastered calculus at the age of 15, records show. The differences in grading systems used in Germany and Switzerland, where Einstein studied may be responsible for the confusion.
The myth likely endured as a comforting narrative for those struggling with math, suggesting that even geniuses faced academic difficulties. However, Einstein’s own words negate this, as he once stated, “I never failed in mathematics. Before I was fifteen, I had mastered differential and integral calculus.”
Eating at Night Causes More Weight Gain
The notion that eating at night causes more weight gain is a common myth, but scientific research suggests that overall calorie consumption and activity levels are more significant factors. A study in the National Center for Biotechnology Information found little evidence that eating at night results in significant weight gain.
It is possible that the myth gained currency because the body’s metabolism slows at night. However, total daily caloric intake and expenditure, not specific meal timing, primarily influence weight gain or loss. The American Dietetic Association emphasizes that balanced meals and portion control are more important than avoiding nighttime snacking.
Humans Have Only Five Senses
The belief that humans have only five senses—sight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch—oversimplifies the complexity of human sensory perception. Scientists have identified additional senses, such as proprioception (sense of body position), equilibrioception (sense of balance), and nociception (pain perception).
Neuroscientist Dr. David Eagleman suggests there are at least nine senses, possibly more, as our understanding of the human body evolves. The five-senses myth may persist due to its simplicity and historical roots in ancient Greek philosophy, but modern science reveals a more intricate sensory system.
Mount Everest Is the Tallest Mountain in the World
Mount Everest is renowned as the tallest peak above sea level, but when measuring from base to summit, Mauna Kea in Hawaii holds the title of the world’s tallest mountain. While Everest reaches 29,029 feet above sea level, Mauna Kea measures over 33,500 feet when including its submerged portion below the ocean surface.
The distinction between height and elevation can be confusing, contributing to the misconception. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), elevation is the height above sea level, while total height considers the full vertical extent from base to peak.
Touching a Baby Bird Will Make Its Mother Reject It
The idea that touching a baby bird will make its mother reject it is a myth. Although most birds have limited sense of smell, they mainly use sight and sound to distinguish their offspring. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology does not expect parent birds to abandon their chicks because of human scent alone.
The myth may have originated as a cautionary tale to discourage humans from disturbing nests, but it is not grounded in biological facts. Instead, excessive handling or disturbance can unintentionally harm young birds or draw predators to the nest. If you encounter a fallen baby bird, it’s best to return it to its nest or contact a local wildlife rehabilitator for guidance.
Black Holes Are Like Cosmic Vacuum Cleaners
Black holes are often imagined as voracious cosmic vacuum cleaners, but this description is misleading. While black holes have immense gravitational pull, they do not “suck” objects indiscriminately. Objects must cross the event horizon to be drawn into a black hole, and this requires them to be within a certain proximity.
The myth may persist due to the mysterious nature of black holes and their portrayal in popular media. However, scientists like Dr. Janna Levin emphasize that black holes follow the same gravitational rules as other celestial bodies, and nearby stars can remain in stable orbits without being consumed.
You Can Detox Your Body with Juice Cleanses
The belief that juice cleanses can detox your body is popular in wellness circles, but there is limited scientific evidence to support this claim. The human body has its own detoxification systems, primarily the liver and kidneys, which effectively eliminate toxins without the need for special diets or cleanses.
Nutritionists like Dr. David Katz from Yale University’s Prevention Research Center emphasize that juice cleanses can result in nutrient deficiencies and are not a sustainable approach to health. While juice is good, not having fiber or protein in a diet can hinder slimming efforts.
Alcohol Warms You Up
The idea that alcohol warms you up is a common myth, but it doesn’t hold up scientifically. While alcohol may create a sensation of warmth by causing blood vessels to dilate and increase blood flow to the skin’s surface, this effect can lead to heat loss and an increased risk of hypothermia in cold environments.
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) cautions against using alcohol for warmth, as the temporary feeling of warmth can mask the body’s actual drop in core temperature. Relying on appropriate clothing and shelter, rather than alcohol, is a safer way to stay warm.
Sugar Causes Hyperactivity in Children
The belief that sugar causes hyperactivity in children is a persistent myth, but scientific studies provide little support for this claim. A comprehensive meta-analysis published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found no significant evidence to link sugar consumption with increased hyperactivity in children.
The myth may have arisen from the coincidental timing of sugar intake at parties and events where excitement and high energy levels are naturally present. While moderation in sugar consumption is advisable for overall health, it is not the sole factor influencing children’s behavior.
Going Outside with Wet Hair Will Make You Catch a Cold
The belief that going outside with wet hair will make you catch a cold is a classic myth, but colds are actually caused by viruses, not cold weather or wet hair. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), colds are spread through person-to-person contact and airborne droplets, not through exposure to low temperatures.
The myth may have started with the fact that people do get more colds in the winter, leading people to erroneously link cold weather with illness. In reality, indoor crowding and reduced ventilation during colder months facilitate virus transmission, not the cold itself.
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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