The human body is subject to endless misinformation, and many of the things we assume about our bodies are nothing more than myths. From childhood health advice to locker room wisdom, many widely believed “facts” about our bodies simply aren’t true. It’s time to set the record straight on the most persistent myths we’ve mistaken for truth.
You Only Use 10% of Your Brain
Despite being popularly believed, this claim is entirely false. Various brain imaging studies, like fMRI scans, have shown that almost all of your brain has functions that are active at specific times, even while you rest or sleep. However, the myth most likely stems from a misunderstanding of neurological research, and in reality, we use almost all of our brain throughout the day.
It’s Dangerous To Wake Up Sleepwalkers
Waking up a sleepwalker could confuse or startle them, but that isn’t distinctly dangerous. The danger comes in what the sleepwalker might do, like wandering outside or falling down the stairs. For the most part, it’s probably safer to guide them back to bed, as leaving them aimlessly wandering around could result in some serious consequences. While sleepwalkers are in a deep sleep state, it should be fine to wake them, but just be warned that they may act unpredictably at first.
Shaving Makes Hair Grow Back Thicker
Shaving your hair will not change its color, growth rate, or thickness. When you shave, your hair is cut at a blunt angle, making the regrown hair appear darker and feel coarser, but it’s the same hair structure. Multiple studies have proved this myth is completely fake, and it persists because of the sensation stubble leaves behind.
Humans Have Five Senses
The majority of people are taught about the basic five senses — hearing, touch, taste, sight, and smell — but scientists now recognize more than that. These new senses include temperature (thermoception), balance (vestibular sense), body position (proprioception), and pain (nociception), among many others. The classic five senses trace back to Aristotle, but modern science shows us that we have many other attributes that can be identified as senses as well.
Cracking Knuckles Causes Arthritis
No link between cracking your knuckles and the development of arthritis has been reported. The popping sound you hear is merely the release of gas bubbles found in the joint fluid. Long-term studies, including one that had a physician crack his knuckles on one hand for many decades, concluded that there was no difference between his hands.
Reading in Dim Light Ruins Your Eyesight
We were all taught that you should read with good lighting, but reading in low light, although it might cause temporary eye strain or discomfort, won’t cause any permanent damage. Your eyes might become tired or dry, but your vision will return to normal after some rest. This myth likely gained traction after concerns about some reading habits of children, but luckily, it has been debunked by ophthalmologists.
You Can Sweat Out Toxins
Sweating is how your body regulates its temperature, but it’s not a form of detoxing. Most toxins pass to and are processed by your kidneys and liver, but are not excreted by sweating. Sweat may contain trace elements of some substances, but it’s an ineffective way of detoxing your body. So be careful of wellness circles that often promote this myth, as it sounds exciting but has no scientific basis whatsoever.
Nails and Hair Are Made of Dead Cells
This one is more or less true, but not in the way that many people might think. Your nails and hair are mostly made from keratin, a form of protein created by living cells in the nail beds and follicles. However, these visible parts of nails and hair aren’t alive. They’re just dead keratinized cells, which is why you won’t get hurt when you cut them.
Drinking Milk Increases Mucus Production
Contrary to what most people believe, milk consumption does not make you produce more mucus. While you might experience a thicker mouthfeel after you’ve had milk, often mistaken for increased phlegm, scientific studies have shown that no increase in mucus production occurs. This myth will often surface during every flu and cold season without any solid evidence brought forward.
Body Heat Escapes Mainly Through Your Head
The claim that most of our body heat escapes through our head is a myth that was rooted in an outdated military study. In reality, heat can be lost from any exposed part of our body. So if your head is uncovered, while the rest of your body is covered, more heat will be lost through your head, but that’s the same for any other exposed area as well.
Your Tongue Has “Taste Zones”
The idea that there are different parts of your tongue responsible for specific tastes like salty, bitter, sweet, and sour was misinterpreted from an old scientific paper. In reality, any taste sensation will be detected across your tongue, and you don’t need to move it into specific places to taste something better. Modern research has shown that our tongues have all the taste buds required for all basic tastes throughout the mouth.
High Protein Can Damage Kidneys
If you have healthy kidneys, high-protein diets are absolutely not harmful. The myth likely originated from guidelines that cautioned those with existing kidney disease to keep a moderate protein intake. However, since most people have healthy kidneys, protein-rich diets aren’t just safe, but beneficial for weight management, muscle maintenance, and satiety.
Cold Weather Can Cause Colds
Colds aren’t caused by temperatures — they’re caused by viruses. Cold weather won’t directly make you sick, but it can contribute indirectly. Since people tend to stay indoors during winter, close contact increases, which makes viral transmission more likely. You might also get sick if you’ve already contracted a virus but haven’t shown any symptoms, whereas being in the cold for prolonged periods might cause a dip in your immune system and lead you to become sick.
Obesity is Caused by Slow Metabolism
Metabolism does play a role in weight management, but it’s rarely the cause of someone’s obesity. Most obesity cases are caused by factors such as a lack of physical activity, diet, and food habits. Funnily enough, many obese individuals might have normal or faster metabolic rates compared to skinnier folks, which means blaming metabolism only oversimplifies the root problem.
Women Have One Extra Rib
Men and women normally have 24 ribs or 12 pairs. The myth that women mysteriously have one more rib than men probably stemmed from a biblical reference where Eve was created from one of Adam’s ribs. In reality, studies have confirmed that there are no consistent rib differences between genders, but that doesn’t rule out any genetic anomalies that might give someone an extra rib or two.
