We often accept certain facts we’ve grown up with without questioning them. However, many of these “facts” are actually unfounded myths that have spread over time. Here are some of these common misconceptions that most people need to stop believing.
Cracking Knuckles Causes Arthritis
Everyone’s grandma used to tell them that cracking their knuckles and joints would lead to arthritis. However, studies have shown no connection between the two. The sound isn’t even the cracking of bones but the release of gas bubbles in the synovial fluid of the joints, which is harmless.
Bulls Hate the Color Red
Despite the rumors, bulls do not have a hatred for the color red. In fact, they are mostly colorblind to red and green, so they couldn’t hate it if they wanted to. This rumor originates from the movement of the matador’s red cape, which irritates them, not the color itself.
Shaving Hair Makes It Grow Back Thicker
Every young man trying to grow a beard is told to keep shaving, as it makes it grow back thicker. This is nonsense—shaving hair has no influence on how it grows back. The misconception arises because shaved hair has a blunt tip, which may feel coarse, stubbly, and thick.
Goldfish Have a Three-Second Memory
A common myth that most people accept as fact is that goldfish only have a three-second memory. According to the American Museum of Natural History, goldfish can actually remember information for months, learning from their surroundings to navigate their environment and find food.
Humans Use Only 10% of Their Brains
Another so-called ‘fact’ we were taught in schools is that humans only use 10% of their brains. While this may have once been assumed by scientists, modern brain scans show activity coursing through the entire organ, even while performing simple tasks.
Bats Are Blind
Contrary to popular belief, bats are not blind. In fact, most species of bat have quite good eyesight, particularly at night. If anything, their eyesight is quite impressive, as it’s augmented by echolocation to navigate and hunt, a sophisticated way to perceive their surroundings.
Humans and Dinosaurs Coexisted
In contrast to countless movies, dinosaurs and humans never coexisted, as dinosaurs were made extinct around 65 million years before humans appeared. Nobody knows exactly where this myth came from, but it likely stems from misinterpretations of historical and scientific timelines in schools.
Lightning Never Strikes the Same Place Twice
Another misunderstood fact that is taken as truth is that lightning doesn’t strike the same place more than once. Actually, it can, and it does. Tall structures like skyscrapers and trees are often hit multiple times during storms, as lightning tends to follow the path of least resistance.
Vikings Wore Horned Helmets
In movies and books, Vikings are always illustrated to wear horned helmets, but as cool as that would be, it was never the case. Historical evidence shows that Viking helmets were simple and hornless, with the rumor originating from 19th-century theatrical productions and romanticized art.
Sugar Causes Hyperactivity in Children
Hyperactivity in children is often blamed on sugar, but scientific studies have never found any direct links between sugar consumption and hyperactivity. Surprisingly, the hyperactivity is usually due to the environment in which sugary treats are consumed, such as parties or vacations. E-numbers and additives are partly to blame, too.
Dogs Sweat by Salivating
A lot of people, even dog enthusiasts, claim that dogs don’t sweat, moderating their heat through salivation. This isn’t true, as they sweat through the pads of their feet. It’s true that dogs rely primarily on panting to cool down, but this doesn’t mean they don’t sweat too.
You Swallow Eight Spiders a Year While Sleeping
One of the most terrifying ‘facts’ that everyone has heard is that you swallow eight spiders a year while sleeping. Thankfully, this is just a rumor, as spiders tend to avoid humans, especially when they are asleep. In reality, this information was likely made up by someone as a joke.
A Penny Dropped from a Skyscraper Can Kill
Physics enthusiasts often tell others that if you drop a penny from a skyscraper, it could kill someone on the ground. Once again, this doesn’t make any sense. The terminal velocity of a penny is far too low to cause fatal injury, although it could hurt someone pretty badly.
Touching a Baby Bird Will Make Its Mother Reject It
In contrast to what a lot of people are told, birds do not abandon their young because of the scent of human touch. Most birds can’t smell well, so they won’t notice if a baby bird has been touched, meaning that they are safe to handle.
Water Drains Differently in Different Hemispheres
Some rumors get spread through popular media, and in this case, The Simpsons was the culprit. The Coriolis effect is often believed to influence the direction water drains in sinks or toilets, but in reality, this phenomenon is too weak to affect small bodies of water—it’s just pop culture nonsense.
Humans Have Only Five Senses
Interestingly, it’s not true that humans only have the five traditional senses of sight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch. Other senses include balance, temperature, and body position, among others. However, the five sense system was introduced in schools to keep things simple and explainable.
Alcohol Warms the Body
On a cold night, someone might offer you an alcoholic beverage, claiming that it warms up the body. This is a myth; while drinking alcohol creates a sensation of warmth, it actually lowers body temperature, so it’s a bad idea to drink when you’re cold.
The Great Wall of China Is Visible from Space
Sadly, it’s a common misconception that The Great Wall of China can be seen from space with the naked eye. This would be impossible, as while the wall is very low, it is far too narrow and closely resembles the natural terrain around it. Astronauts have even confirmed this.