10 Commonly Believed Myths That Science Has Busted Wide Open

I recently saw this question online, “What is a popular belief that is scientifically proven wrong?” Have you thought of one? Here are the answers that got the most likes.

1. Information About Your Diet

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Taco’s comment states that the majority of nutritional information that is commonly accepted by the public has been invalidated by research conducted since the 1970s.

Another added that consuming 2000 calories daily does not apply to everyone since every individual’s body has unique requirements. While one person may need to consume 3000 calories or more, another person can manage with only 1500 calories.

2. We Only Use a Part of Our Brain

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Wall shared the myth that humans only utilize 10% of their brains. That’s not much, and some people jokingly added that they know one or two people for which this is a fact. 

Might I just add that the idea that humans only use 10% of their brain capacity has been debunked by many scientific studies, including neuroimaging techniques like functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) scans. These studies have shown that even during simple tasks like listening to music or looking at a picture, multiple brain areas light up and become active.

3. Lightning Never Strikes the Same Place Twice 

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A person shared the belief that lightning never strikes the same place twice. This is actually a myth, as lightning can strike the same place multiple times. Tall structures such as skyscrapers and towers are often struck by lightning repeatedly.

However, lightning never strikes the same place twice is a common phrase that means it is unlikely for something bad to happen in the same way twice.

4. The Memory of a Goldfish

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The myth that goldfish have a memory of only three seconds has been proven wrong. It is believed that they can even be trained to perform tricks, Kette expressed.

One user shared that after some individuals had thrown rocks at his goldfish, they only returned after a long absence. When the goldfish owner approached the fishpond, the goldfish swam to the surface looking for food. When the rock-throwing people returned years later, the fish immediately hid. 

5. Cracking Knuckles Is Bad for You

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An individual propagated the belief that cracking one’s knuckles can lead to arthritis, but fortunately, this is untrue. 

Some people have experimented with this and discovered that it only harms one’s body if the cracking causes pain. Therefore, there is no scientific evidence that cracking knuckles leads to arthritis.

6. Your Hair Will Grow Back Thicker After Shaving

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The myth that shaving hair will make it grow back longer and thicker is just that – a myth. This belief has existed for many years but has no scientific basis. When you shave, you only remove the hair that has grown beyond the skin’s surface. This does not affect the hair follicle or the rate at which hair grows.

Shaving can sometimes make the hair appear thicker because it creates a blunt tip. However, as the hair grows out, it will return to its natural texture and thickness. There is no evidence to suggest that shaving affects the rate of hair growth or the thickness of new hair.

7. How to Survive a Tornado

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One individual shared that “hiding under a highway overpass is actually not a good way to survive a tornado.” Seeking shelter under an overpass during a tornado can be extremely dangerous and potentially deadly. The reason for this is that overpasses can create a wind tunnel effect, which can cause the wind speeds to increase and the debris to become more dangerous. 

Additionally, overpasses do not provide adequate protection from tornadoes’ high winds and flying debris. The safest place to seek shelter during a tornado is in a sturdy, underground shelter or an interior room on the lowest level of a building.

8. The Mythe That Urine Is Sterile

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Contrary to common belief, urine is not sterile because it contains various bacteria and other microorganisms. 

Therefore, using urine to treat jellyfish stings could potentially lead to infection instead of alleviating the pain. It is recommended to use saltwater or vinegar to neutralize the jellyfish toxins and seeks medical attention if necessary.

9. Rice Will Make Birds Explode

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The idea that rice can make birds explode after consumption is a myth, one person shared. Birds eat rice regularly, and brown rice is particularly beneficial for them. 

It is suspected that the myth was fabricated to discourage the practice of throwing rice at weddings. But the real concern was getting rice grains stuck in one’s ear, another person added jokingly, not harming the birds.

10. Bubblegum Will Get Stuck in Your Stomach

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The last myth for the top ten is that many people believe that gum takes seven years to digest, but this is only partially true. While it is technically correct that the human digestive system would take several years to break down and fully digest a piece of gum, it is important to note that the body does not hold onto the gum for that long.

The digestive system moves the gum through the intestines and eventually out of the body through a bowel movement. This process typically takes a few days to a week, which is much shorter than the commonly believed seven years.

The Dark Side of Aging: 10 Things That Will Drive You Crazy as You Grow Older

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I recently saw this question online, “What are you starting to dislike more as you get older?” Here are the top-voted responses.

I Can’t Believe I Didn’t Know This Until Now: Embarrassing Things People Learned Way Too Late In Life

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I recently scrolled the internet’s front page when I saw this question, “What’s something you learned “embarrassingly late” in life?” Here are the top-voted responses.

From Boomers to Gen Z: The Childhood Trends That Faded Away

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I recently saw this question online, “What was common when you were young but is rare now that you’re older?”

Let’s delve into the top-voted responses, which shed light on these nostalgic elements of the past that hold significance to many.

Which Celebrity Couple Has a Net Worth Bigger Than Most Countries? Find Out Now

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Want to know which Hollywood couples are hoarding significant fortunes? We’ve highlighted and broken down individual net worth figures for fifty of the world’s most celebrated and richest celebrity couples

Source: Reddit