Myths and Legends: 45 Common Misconceptions, Exposed

We’ve all heard them, the myths and legends that have been passed down through generations. From “cracking your knuckles will give you arthritis” to “chocolate causes acne,” these myths have become so ingrained in our minds that we often take them as fact. But it’s time to separate fact from fiction and bust some of the most common myths out there.

Myth #1: Cracking your knuckles will give you arthritis. This myth has been around for ages, but the truth is that cracking your knuckles doesn’t cause arthritis. In fact, the popping sound is just the release of gas bubbles in the joint. So go ahead and crack those knuckles, just don’t do it in someone’s ear.

Myth #2: Chocolate causes acne. Many people believe that eating chocolate causes acne, but there is no scientific evidence to support this claim. In fact, studies have shown that diet has little to no effect on acne. So, go ahead and indulge in that chocolate bar guilt-free.

Myth #3: Shaving makes hair grow back thicker. This is another myth that has been passed down through generations. The truth is that shaving doesn’t change the thickness of hair, it just makes the hair appear thicker because it’s cut at the same length. So, go ahead and shave those legs without fear of them becoming like shag carpeting.

Myth #4: You need 8 glasses of water a day. We’ve all heard the “drink 8 glasses of water a day” mantra, but the truth is that the amount of water you need varies depending on your individual needs. Factors like activity level, diet, and climate all play a role in determining how much water you need. So, listen to your body and drink when you’re thirsty.

Myth #5: Eating at night makes you gain weight. Many people believe that eating at night causes weight gain, but the truth is that it’s not the time of day that matters, it’s the number of calories consumed. Eating a healthy, balanced diet and staying within your daily calorie needs is the key to weight management.

Myth #6: You lose most of your body heat through your head. This is not true, you lose heat through any exposed skin. So, if you’re cold, make sure to cover your whole body, not just your head.

Myth #7: Carrots will help you see in the dark. Carrots are a good source of Vitamin A, which is important for eye health, but they will not help you see in the dark.

Myth #8: A penny dropped from the Empire State Building will kill someone. The penny will not have enough force to cause harm when it reaches the ground.

Myth #9: The Great Wall of China is the only man-made structure visible from space. This is not true, many man-made structures are visible from space, including cities and roads.

Myth #10: Bullfighters use red capes to anger the bull. Bullfighters use brightly coloured capes, but they do not use red specifically to anger the bull. The colour is used to make the bullfighter more visible to the audience.

Myth #11: Lightning never strikes the same place twice. Lightning can and does strike the same place multiple times.

Myth #12: We only use 10% of our brain. We use nearly all of our brain, not just 10%.

Myth #13: Goldfish have a memory of only 3 seconds. Goldfish have been found to have a memory of at least 3 months.

Myth #14: The heart stops during a sneeze. The heart does not stop during a sneeze.

Myth #15: You should wait an hour after eating before swimming. There is no scientific evidence to support the idea that waiting an hour after eating prevents cramps while swimming.

Myth #16: Bats are blind. Most bats can see, but they also use echolocation to navigate.

Myth #17: If a snake loses its tail, it will grow back. A snake’s tail will not grow back if it loses it.

Myth #18: Porcupines can shoot their quills. Porcupines cannot shoot their quills, but they can release them if touched.

Myth #19: If a person’s nose is cold, they are lying. A person’s nose temperature is not related to whether or not they are lying.

Myth #20: Humans have five senses. Humans have more than five senses, including proprioception and thermoception.

Myth #21: Hair and fingernails may appear longer after death, but not because they are still growing.  Instead, a person’s fingernails and hair may appear longer because the skin around them has retracted.

Myth #22: If you swallow gum, it will stay in your stomach for 7 years. Swallowed gum will pass through the digestive system just like any other food, it will not stay in the stomach for 7 years.

Myth #23: If you’re stung by a jellyfish, pee on the sting. Urine is not an effective treatment for a jellyfish sting, it is best to rinse the affected area with seawater and remove any remaining tentacles with a flat object.

Myth #24: Eating turkey makes you drowsy because of tryptophan. Turkey does contain tryptophan, an amino acid that can cause drowsiness, but it is not the only source of it and other factors such as overeating and drinking alcohol also contribute to the drowsy feeling after a big meal.

Myth #25: You can’t get pregnant while on your period. It is possible to get pregnant while on your period, especially if you have a short menstrual cycle or a heavy flow.

Myth #26: Shaving causes hair to grow back darker and thicker. Shaving does not affect the colour or thickness of hair, it only appears darker and thicker because it has been cut at the same length.

Myth #27: The full moon causes madness. There is no scientific evidence linking the full moon to madness or changes in behaviour.

Myth #28: You can catch a cold from being cold. Colds are caused by viruses, not by being cold.

Myth #29: Drinking coffee stunts your growth. Coffee does not stunt your growth, but excessive caffeine intake can lead to health problems.

Myth #30: Eating sugar causes hyperactivity in children. Studies have shown that sugar does not cause hyperactivity in children.

Myth #31: You should let a bee sting you to get the venom out. Removing the stinger and cleaning the area is the best way to treat a bee sting, not letting it sting you again.

Myth #32: If you die in a dream, you die in real life. Dreams do not have the power to kill you in real life.

Myth #33: Vaccines cause autism. Multiple studies have shown that there is no link between vaccines and autism.

Myth #34: Eating at night makes you gain weight. It’s not the time of day that causes weight gain, it’s the number of calories consumed.

Myth #35: You can’t get pregnant while breastfeeding. It is possible to get pregnant while breastfeeding, as ovulation can return before menstruation.

Myth #36: You should avoid eating after 8 pm. The timing of your meals does not affect weight loss or gain, it’s the number of calories consumed.

Myth #37: You should avoid eating fruits at night. There is no evidence to support the idea that eating fruits at night causes weight gain or other health problems.

Myth #38: You should avoid eating before bed. Eating a small, healthy snack before bed can help with weight management and improve sleep.

Myth #39: You should avoid eating carbs at night. Carbs, when consumed in moderation, can be part of a healthy diet at any time of day.

Myth #40: You should avoid eating dairy at night. Dairy, when consumed in moderation, can be part of a healthy diet at any time of day.

Myth #41: You should avoid eating sugar at night. Sugar, when consumed in moderation, can be part of a healthy diet at any time of day.

Myth #42: You should avoid eating nuts at night. Nuts, when consumed in moderation, can be part of a healthy diet at any time of day.

Myth #43: You should avoid eating cheese at night. Cheese, when consumed in moderation, can be part of a healthy diet at any time of day.

Myth #44: You should avoid eating spicy food at night. Spicy food, when consumed in moderation, can be part of a healthy diet at any time of day.

Myth #45: You should avoid eating chocolate at night. Chocolate, when consumed in moderation, can be part of a healthy diet at any time of day.

As you can see, many common myths are not backed by science. It’s important to question what we hear and do our own research to separate fact from fiction.