Some myths just won’t die—despite how much science drags them kicking and screaming, exposes them, and jams cold hard realities down their throats. Let’s bust these stubborn lies and finally let go of the nonsense.
Bananas Grow on Trees
Sorry to break the news, but bananas don’t quite grow on trees. The so-called “banana tree” is rather a giant herb—the largest herbaceous flowering plant in the world. So the next time you peel a banana, remember this: you’re essentially eating herb fruit on a huge leafy stem.
You Should Pee on a Jellyfish Sting
Whoever started this myth deserves a slap. Urine will, in fact, make the sting worse by provoking the venom’s release. And it’s not a sight you want to behold on the beach. What does help? Vinegar or hot water. So if you don’t want your agony increased and your embarrassment mounted, don’t try the pee cure.
We Only Use 10% of Our Brain
If this were so, wouldn’t almost never be a big deal when it came to brain damage? Spoiler: It still would be. According to neuroscientists, we use all parts of our brain—you just don’t use them all simultaneously. Your brain is booting up even when you sleep, running your body and dreams. So no, being able to unlock 90% of your brain won’t turn you into a superhero.
Black Holes Are Giant Space Vacuums
No, black holes don’t suck in things like they’re a cosmic vacuum cleaner (honestly, that’s the actual words NASA used). They only possess crazy gravitational pull—if you get too close, that’s a wrap. But as long as you’re outside their event horizon, they won’t slurp in planets like spaghetti.
Coffee Stunts Your Growth
If this were the case, half the world’s adults would be hobbit-sized. There’s no scientific evidence that shows caffeine impacts height. So how did this one get started? Our bet’s on classic, old-fashioned parental scare-mongering. The actual problem? Caffeine interferes with sleep, and sleep is vital for growth in children—but it won’t make them short.
Bulls Charge Because They Hate Red
Bulls could not care less about color—they are colorblind to red. What actually ticks them off is the movement of that thing. You could shake a pink tutu at them, and they would still charge if it’s waving around.
Ostriches Bury Their Heads in the Sand
This is cartoon nonsense. Ostriches would suffocate if they buried their heads. So what do they do? Press their heads against the surface when frightened so it appears as if they are buried in the sand. Clever survival tactic—not cowardliness.
If You Drop a Penny from a Skyscraper, It Can Kill
A penny dropped from the top of the Empire State Building won’t become a bullet. Air resistance prevents it from picking up enough speed to be lethal. If it hits you? It’ll hurt, but won’t get you to the morgue, but sure a dropped ballpoint pen could get you in the hospital.
A Cough Means You Need Antibiotics
Unless it’s a bacteria, antibiotics won’t help. Most coughs are caused by viruses, and using antibiotics for no reason just builds up resistance. And next time someone requires antibiotic pills for a run-of-the-mill cold, they are making future illnesses worse.
Water Conducts Electricity
It’s not the pure water that conducts electricity—it’s the water’s impurities and minerals. If you were in a tub filled with 100% distilled water, you could toss a toaster in and be perfectly okay (although we don’t recommend you try this).
Humans Have Five Senses
Sight, smell, hearing, taste, touch—are the big five, sure. But according to science, we have way more. Balance, temperature, pain, and even proprioception (where your body knows where your limbs are around you even when you don’t look) are all senses. So, yes, you have a least nine—at least. And no, a “sixth sense” doesn’t mean you can hear dead people.
Alcohol Warms You Up
That whiskey shot may get you feeling toasty, but it’s effectively making you lose body heat. Drinking alcohol causes your blood vessels to dilate, distributing warm blood to your skin so you’ll be feeling cozy—while your core temperature drops. In freezing temperatures, that’s an awful idea. Want to stay warm? Wear a coat!
Touching Baby Birds Will Make Their Mothers Abandon Them
Babies are not abandoned by their mothers just because a human touched them. Most birds do not even have a strong sense of smell to detect human scent. If you spot a baby bird on the ground, it’s probably learning how to fly, so don’t go playing bird rescuer just yet.
Hippos Sweat Blood
Alright, this one’s a little true but totally misleading. Hippos emit a reddish liquid that resembles blood, but it’s a natural antibiotic and sunblock for them. So as they appear to be bleeding all over the place, they are actually lathering up in built-in sunblock.
The Great Wall of China is Visible from Space
Nice story, but NASA has verified that it’s a myth. The Great Wall is extremely long but narrow and built with natural materials, so it’s nearly invisible to the human eye from space. It’s more likely that astronauts will be looking at roads and airports than at ancient bricks.
Hair and Nails Continue Growing Even After Death
Sounds creepy but it’s just an illusion. Upon death, the body dries out and the skin shrinks away from the nails and hairs, making them appear as if they are longer. But nope, your body isn’t over here treating itself to a fresh manicure in the grave.
Bats Are Blind
Whoever began this one clearly hasn’t met a bat. Not only are bats perfectly good at seeing things, but some have even been known to be able to see ultraviolet light. Sure, they use echolocation, but that’s because they’re super intelligent—not blind. So the next time someone says “blind as a bat,” you’ll remember that bats can see way better in the dark than you EVER will.
Carrots Enhance Your Vision
Carrots are nutritious but will not make you as sharp as Hawkeye unless you have a serious vitamin A deficit. It’s actually a WWII propaganda origin, interestingly enough—the British army asserted that their air pilots had supervision because of carrots when they were actually utilizing radar technology. Well played!
You Have to Consume 8 Glasses of Water Every Day
No way, your kidneys didn’t sign up for all that stress. That “8 glasses” thing? All made up. Your body gets a load of water from the foods you eat (fruits, vegetables, even coffee!). Have a drink when you need one, not because some arbitrary rule told you to.
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