We all grow up hearing certain “facts” that we accept as true without question. From old wives’ tales to misunderstood science, these myths can stick with us for years. But what if some of the things you’ve always believed aren’t actually true at all? In this article, I will bust 20 common myths that many people still believe.
Humans can’t grow new brain cells
For a long time, scientists thought adults couldn’t grow new brain cells. But now we know that’s not true. Our brains can make new cells throughout our lives, especially in the part of the brain that handles memory. Exercise and learning new things can help this process.
You should starve a fever and feed a cold
This old saying isn’t good medical advice. Whether you have a cold or a fever, you need to eat well and stay hydrated. Your body needs energy to fight off illness. If you don’t feel like eating much, that’s okay, but don’t avoid food on purpose. Always follow your doctor’s advice when you’re sick.
We only use 10% of our brains
This myth is totally false. We actually use all of our brain, just not all at once. Different parts of the brain are active at different times, depending on what we’re doing. Scientists have proven this using brain scans. Our brains are always working, even when we’re sleeping.
Sugar makes kids hyper
Surprise! Sugar doesn’t actually make kids hyperactive. Many studies have shown that sugar doesn’t affect behavior or attention span in children. The idea of a “sugar rush” is just a myth. Kids often get excited at events where there’s lots of sugar, but it’s the fun, not the sugar, that makes them hyper.
Cracking your knuckles causes arthritis
Don’t worry, cracking your knuckles won’t give you arthritis. The popping sound is just gas bubbles in the fluid around your joints. Studies have shown no link between knuckle cracking and arthritis. However, it might weaken your grip over time, so maybe don’t do it too much.
You need to drink eight glasses of water a day
While staying hydrated is important, there’s no magic number of water glasses you need. How much you should drink depends on your size, activity level, and even the weather. Many foods contain water too. Just drink when you’re thirsty and your pee is pale yellow, and you’ll be fine.
Humans evolved from monkeys
This is a common misunderstanding of evolution. Humans didn’t evolve from monkeys – we share a common ancestor with them. Think of it like a family tree. Monkeys are more like our cousins than our grandparents. We evolved alongside them, not from them.
You need to wait 24 hours to report a missing person
This is a dangerous myth often seen in TV shows. In real life, you don’t have to wait 24 hours to report someone missing. If you’re worried about someone, contact the police right away. Quick action can be really important in missing person cases.
We have five senses
We actually have way more than five senses. Besides sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch, we can sense things like balance, temperature, and pain. Some scientists say we might have up to 21 different senses. Our bodies are way more complex than we often think!
Lightning never strikes the same place twice
Lightning can absolutely strike the same place more than once. Tall buildings and structures often get hit multiple times in one storm. The Empire State Building gets struck about 25 times a year! Remember, during a thunderstorm, nowhere outside is truly safe.
You lose most body heat through your head
This myth probably started because of an old military study. But it’s not true – you don’t lose more heat from your head than other parts of your body. You lose heat evenly all over. Wearing a hat in cold weather is good, but don’t forget to cover the rest of you too!
Goldfish have a three-second memory
Goldfish are smarter than you think! They can actually remember things for months, not just seconds. Scientists have trained goldfish to tell the difference between shapes and colors. These little fish can even remember feeding schedules. So don’t underestimate your goldfish!
Blood is blue inside your body
Your blood is never blue, even inside your body. It’s always red, thanks to the iron in your red blood cells. Veins look blue through your skin because of how light travels through tissue. When blood is exposed to oxygen, it turns a brighter red, but it’s red all along.
The Great Wall of China is visible from space
Astronauts say the Great Wall isn’t actually visible from space with the naked eye. It’s too thin and blends in with the surrounding landscape. You might see it from low Earth orbit with a good camera, but it’s not as visible as many people think. Many other human-made structures are easier to spot.
Bats are blind
Bats can actually see quite well. Most bats use echolocation to navigate in the dark, but they have eyes and can see. Some fruit bats have excellent vision, even better than humans in low light. The saying “blind as a bat” isn’t accurate at all!
Vikings wore horned helmets
Despite what you might see in movies, Vikings didn’t wear horned helmets. This image came from 19th-century artists and operas, not historical evidence. Real Viking helmets were simple and practical, usually just a bowl shape with a nose guard. Horns would have gotten in the way during battle.
You can see the Great Wall of China from the Moon
This is even less true than seeing it from space! From the Moon, you can barely see continents, let alone any human-made structures. The idea that the Great Wall is visible from the Moon has been around since at least 1938, but astronauts have confirmed it’s just not true.
Napoleon was short
Napoleon Bonaparte wasn’t actually short for his time. He was about 5’7″ (170 cm), which was average height for a man in the early 1800s. The myth about his height came from a mix-up between French and English measuring systems and British propaganda during the Napoleonic Wars.
Dogs sweat through their tongues
Dogs don’t actually sweat through their tongues. They do have sweat glands, but they’re mainly in their paw pads. Dogs cool off mostly by panting, which helps water evaporate from their mouth and lungs. So when you see a dog with its tongue out on a hot day, it’s cooling off, but not sweating.
Humans only have five tastes
Just like with our senses, we have more than five tastes. Besides sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami (savory), scientists have found that we can taste things like fat and calcium. Some people can even taste certain chemicals that others can’t. Our sense of taste is more complex than we used to think!
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