We love a good myth – until it messes with our lives. Of course, some of those so-called “facts” were so deeply rooted that chances are you’ve lived for years by them. Well, spoiler alert: They are total nonsense.
From food myths to strange health beliefs, here are 17 everyday myths that are just fiction. Yet people cling to them like they are written in stone, even though they are about as accurate as a flat Earth.
Swallowed Gum Takes Seven Years to Digest
No, the gum won’t clog your stomach in a sticky, tangled mess for seven years. Your body’s a bit smarter than that; it passes gum through like anything else that is undigestible. So, chew on this: the gum myth is just a weird way parents scared us into behaving.
Cracking Your Knuckles Causes Arthritis
No, cracking your knuckles won’t doom you to a lifetime of stiff, achy joints. That satisfying pop sound is just gas bubbles popping in your joints – not your future falling apart. Science says there’s no connection to arthritis, so crack away guilt-free. The real problem? The death stares from people who find the sound incredibly annoying.
Lightning Never Strikes the Same Place Twice
Try telling that to the Empire State Building, which gets struck at an average of about 25 times a year. Lightning doesn’t keep count; it just goes for the nearest conductor. Yes, it can and does strike the same spot many times. Storm chasers, beware.
You Only Use 10% of Your Brain
Hollywood loves this one, but it’s utter nonsense. Your brain is firing on all cylinders, even when you’re binge-watching reality TV. If we only used 10%, evolution would’ve ditched the rest ages ago. It turns out your brain is busy keeping you alive and, hopefully, making smart choices.
Hair Grows Back Thicker After Shaving
If shaving made hair grow thicker, every bald guy would be wielding a razor. Shaving only cuts the hair at the surface, so the blunt edge makes it look thicker. Genetics, not grooming habits, determine your hair’s thickness, texture, and growth rate.
Eating Before Swimming Causes Cramps
Unless you’ve just finished a three-course meal, you’re probably fine to get in the water. That whole “wait 30 minutes” rule? Just overprotective nonsense. Sure, heavy meals make you feel sluggish, but your body’s more than capable of multitasking digestion and a casual swim.
Goldfish Have a Three-Second Memory
Goldfish are not as forgetful as we perceive them. Various studies show that they can remember anything for months. The next time you stare into those little tanks, note that they probably know when you forgot to feed them and owe them an apology.
Mount Everest Is the Highest Mountain
Technically, Everest is the highest mountain above sea level, but when you measure base to summit, Mauna Kea in Hawaii takes that particular crown. Its base is submerged, making it that much taller overall; Everest just has better PR.
Sugar Makes Kids Hyper
Breaking news: there is no such thing as a sugar rush. It simply does not correlate, supported by studies into the actual relationship between sugar and hyperactivity. Kids are really just bundles of energy. The real cause is stimulating situations, like birthday parties, which have nothing to do with the cake.
Dogs See the World in Black and White
Your pup isn’t living in an old black-and-white movie. Dogs actually do see in shades of blue and yellow, though less colorful than ours. Therefore, while they might not appreciate your neon wardrobe, they are not as colorblind as this myth states.
Carrots Improve Eyesight
Carrots will not magically give you 20/20 vision, no matter how many Bugs Bunny cartoons you have watched. In fact, they are packed with vitamin A, which is great for eye health but will not turn you into a hawk-eyed superhero.
Humans Lose Most of Their Body Heat Through the Head
Your head isn’t some kind of chimney leaking heat. We lose heat evenly across our body, not just through our noggin. The only reason this myth has hung around is that people forget to wear hats when it’s freezing.
Bats Are Blind
Ever heard the phrase “blind as a bat”? It turns out bats aren’t blind at all. Many species can see quite well and even use their eyes to hunt. Their echolocation is just an extra cool feature, not a replacement for vision.
You Swallow Spiders in Your Sleep
Let’s clear this nightmare fuel: no, spiders aren’t crawling into your mouth at night. Your breathing actually vibrates and keeps them away. This myth was most likely invented by someone who hated peaceful sleep.
Waking a Sleepwalker Is Dangerous
Sure, sleepwalkers look like creepy zombies, but waking them won’t kill them – or you. It might just confuse them for a moment. In fact, it’s safer to just gently guide them back toward bed than let them wander into danger. So be nice to your sleepwalking friends.
Alcohol Warms You Up
That warm feeling from the booze? It’s just a lie. It dilates the blood vessels, pulling heat away from your core. You may feel warmer, but your body loses heat more quickly. No, whiskey isn’t going to be your winter survival tool.
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