Buzz
Superstitions, myths, and urban legends are tough to shake off. Once a significant number of people start believing in something, it tends to stick around. For example, the popular belief about rain on your wedding day—referencing a classic song—doesn’t mean your marriage is doomed! The weather and your relationship are unrelated.
Yet people continue to be cautious around various myths and stories. In the case of historical, cultural, or lifestyle myths, it’s somewhat understandable since every culture has its own set of myths. However, some things are easily debunked by science, and it’s particularly frustrating when these myths refuse to go away.
Today, we’ll explore ten so-called scientific “facts” that are completely inaccurate. Sadly, these misconceptions keep circulating, despite repeated corrections. But hey, at least we’re doing our bit to set the record straight, right?
10. Yoga Isn’t Always Beneficial
Yoga is often seen as a gentler form of exercise compared to more intense fitness routines. It’s frequently recommended as a safer, lighter alternative to traditional workouts. However, there’s no concrete evidence that supports the idea that yoga is easier on the body. In fact, a study showed that yoga can cause injuries at rates similar to those of sports-related injuries. Surprisingly, about 21% of injuries in the study were actually aggravated by yoga practice. This challenges the assumption that yoga is a low-impact, minimal-risk activity.
Despite this, many still view yoga as a gentle and harmless exercise option. Those with joint issues or other wear-and-tear problems often turn to yoga as a way to relieve pain. As with any exercise, though, it’s best to practice under the guidance of a professional. A skilled yoga instructor can help you choose the exercises that will benefit you and avoid those that could cause further harm.
The fact that some athletes report worsening injuries after yoga contradicts what is often considered “common knowledge.” It highlights that every physical activity carries risks, even those believed to be low-impact. Even movements that are supposed to be gentle can have consequences for the body.
9. It’s Fine to Crack Your Knuckles
A long time ago in California, a young man named Donald Unger faced his mother’s disapproval over his habit of cracking his knuckles. She insisted it would lead to arthritis. But as the years passed, Unger’s knuckle-cracking didn’t seem to affect him at all. As an adult, driven by scientific curiosity, he decided to conduct an experiment: cracking the knuckles on his left hand twice a day while leaving his right hand untouched. His goal? To uncover the truth behind this long-held myth.
Unger’s experiment lasted an impressive 60 years. In 2009, he was awarded the Ig Nobel Prize for his pioneering research that debunked the myth that knuckle cracking causes arthritis. Both his left hand and right hand were unaffected, proving the falsehood of the claim. Additional studies have backed up his findings as well. However, experts still caution against cracking your knuckles, warning that while it may not directly lead to arthritis, it could potentially cause reduced grip strength and swelling.
Donald Unger’s personal experiment is the ultimate proof that knuckle cracking does not cause arthritis. His six-decade-long study not only earned him an Ig Nobel Prize but also thoroughly disproved this long-standing myth. Take that, Mom!
8. Sports Drinks Aren’t All That Healthy
Staying hydrated during exercise has been important for a long time, and water has been a key player in hydration for quite a while. However, myths around hydration have existed for years. In the ’70s, athletes were even advised to skip fluids before games to avoid feeling sluggish. Fortunately, today, we know the importance of staying hydrated. Yet, sports drink companies like Gatorade and Powerade claim that their products hydrate athletes better than plain water.
But let’s be honest: it’s mostly a marketing tactic to push more sports drinks. According to sports drink sellers, the body’s natural thirst signals aren’t reliable enough to indicate when and what to drink for proper hydration. However, research consistently shows that drinking water when you’re thirsty is the most effective way to stay hydrated and maximize performance.
Let’s not forget the sugar content. Sports drinks are packed with sugar and offer minimal health benefits in that department. While their marketing tactics are effective, the actual benefits are questionable at best. You don’t need to stick to just water—just save the sugary “performance-boosting” drinks for occasional indulgence.
7. Sleepwalkers Can Be Woken Up
Sleepwalking, or somnambulism, is a curious behavior where people get out of bed and perform tasks while still asleep. This unusual occurrence has given rise to many myths. One of the most widespread is the belief that waking a sleepwalker could cause fatal consequences. Some even claim that it could trigger a heart attack or a severe shock. But that’s not true! Although, there are other factors to consider...
Sleep specialists have debunked the idea that waking a sleepwalker could cause a heart attack. Experts have found that millions of sleepwalking events occur every year without any deaths related to being woken. That said, waking a sleepwalker is still not risk-free. They may become confused or react violently when they wake up in an unfamiliar environment.
Experts advise waking a sleepwalker only if they’re about to do something dangerous, like cooking or going outside. Otherwise, it’s best to calmly guide them back to bed. No need to worry about causing any fatal harm—they’ll be fine if you wake them up gently!
6. The Myth of the Million-Dollar Space Pen
NASA has been home to many myths and stories over the years, with one of the most well-known involving the so-called million-dollar space pen. This tale has often been used to highlight the agency’s alleged wasteful spending. During the Space Race in the 1960s, American astronauts needed a pen that could work in weightlessness. The story goes that NASA shelled out millions of dollars to create this specialized pen, while the Soviets simply used pencils, which were cheaper and simpler.
However, the reality is far from this legend. While space pens do exist, they were actually developed by the Fisher Pen Company, a private enterprise that spent around $1 million of its own funds for the research and development of these pens. NASA did not finance the project, but in 1967, they purchased hundreds of these pens for just $2.40 each.
Interestingly, just two years later, the Soviets also opted to purchase these space pens. The decision was based on safety considerations; the pens helped eliminate the risk of pencil tips breaking off, floating away, and potentially damaging delicate equipment aboard spacecraft.
So, while $1 million was invested in developing the space pens, it wasn’t NASA who funded it, nor did they pay exorbitant amounts for each pen. Paying just a few dollars for a specialized pen capable of writing in zero-gravity? That seems like a solid deal.
5. Nobel’s Lasting Legacy Wasn't Explosive
Alfred Nobel is renowned worldwide as the Swedish chemist who invented dynamite, as well as the founder of the Nobel Prize. However, these two aspects of his life are often misunderstood in relation to one another. The myth goes that in 1888, following the death of his brother Ludvig, a French newspaper mistakenly reported Alfred Nobel’s passing. The obituary's headline read, 'The merchant of death is dead,' alluding to his invention of dynamite.
Disturbed by this negative characterization, Nobel took action to reshape his legacy. He used his wealth to create an organization that would honor those who had made the greatest contributions to humanity, which is the same organization that now administers the Nobel Prize. In a way, his association with dynamite, a destructive force, was transformed almost overnight into a legacy of rewarding positive, life-changing scientific achievement. Or so it seems—but it’s not entirely that simple.
Curiously, the exact moment and inspiration behind Nobel’s decision to start the prize remain shrouded in mystery, only revealed when his will was read years later. Even his family was unaware of his intentions and attempted to challenge the will when they realized they would not inherit his fortune. To add to the intrigue, despite the efforts of historians, no copy of that French obituary with the infamous headline has ever been found.
The Nobel Foundation confirms that Alfred Nobel did indeed read the erroneous obituary, but they suggest it was just one of many factors that led him to establish the Nobel Prizes. Correspondence from his life shows that the idea had been forming for years, possibly originating even earlier, when Nobel received an award from the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.
Let’s also clear up a common misconception about the Nobel Prize, shall we? It's often claimed that Alfred Nobel refused to include a prize for mathematics because he was upset with mathematicians involved in a supposed affair with his wife. However, this is a complete myth. Nobel never married, which makes the whole story impossible. As for his feelings toward mathematicians, we can't be sure, but the myth of an affair is definitely not the reason behind the lack of a Nobel Prize in mathematics.
4. You Can Skip the Stretching
When it comes to preparing for a workout, there’s a widespread belief that stretching offers several benefits. Fitness trainers and enthusiasts alike have long claimed that it helps prime the body, improves performance, and minimizes the risk of muscle injury. The conventional wisdom is to stretch before physical activity—touch your toes, twist your torso, get your blood flowing, and loosen up your muscles. But what if this belief is actually misguided? Recent studies suggest that we might have been wrong all along.
Multiple studies conducted in recent years have shown that stretching before exercise actually hampers athletic performance. Contrary to what we’ve always been told, stretching doesn't reduce the likelihood of injury. In fact, it often has little to no effect and, in some cases, may even be detrimental. Research comparing muscle soreness between people who stretch before exercise and those who don’t has found almost no difference in outcomes.
In fact, some findings suggest that stretching cold and stiff muscles could actually increase the risk of injury during exercise. Exercise physiologists are still analyzing these results, but they theorize that warming up can stretch muscles too quickly and to unsafe lengths, causing more harm than good. Another myth busted!
3. Twinkies Aren't Forever
Once upon a time, there was a spongy, sweet snack known as the Twinkie. It once had a label claiming it would stay fresh for about 25 days. But a wild rumor spread that Twinkies could last 25 years or even survive a nuclear disaster. They were said to be made of chemicals rather than real food, preventing them from going bad. Sounds believable, right?
Well, there is some truth to the myth. Twinkies do last longer than most baked goods because they don’t contain dairy. Instead, they use chemical substitutes for milk and butter. But they're not just made of chemicals. They also have flour, oil, sugar, and a bit of real egg. So, they’ll eventually spoil. And certainly, they wouldn’t survive a nuclear apocalypse.
People also believe that as long as Twinkies remain sealed in plastic wrappers, they're safe even after years. But in 2020, scientists examined some eight-year-old Twinkies that appeared fine. Sadly, they discovered mold called Cladosporium inside. They concluded once and for all (hopefully) that appearances can be deceiving, and just because it looks good doesn’t mean it's safe to eat.
So, yes, Twinkies do have a longer shelf life than most baked treats. But they’re not invincible! They’re made with a blend of ingredients, including some chemicals. And since they're not purely artificial, they will eventually spoil. Twinkies might stick around for a while, but they won’t last forever. It’s best to enjoy them before their expiration date passes.
2. Bumblebee Flight Isn't a Puzzle
Back in the 1930s, a French entomologist named Antoine Magnan boldly asserted that bees shouldn’t be able to fly. He argued that their large bodies and small wings defied aerodynamic logic. Over time, the myth shifted, mostly focusing on bumblebees, and grew into the notion that scientists and engineers believed these tiny insects defy the laws of physics when they take flight. But that’s not true. They follow physics—just in their own way.
To be fair, a century ago, most people had little understanding of how insects, or anything else for that matter, could fly. Magnan and his assistant performed some quick calculations that seemed to prove bees couldn’t generate enough lift to fly. However, their calculations were based on the assumption that bees had smooth, rigid wings. But they don’t!
Bees actually have specialized, grooved wings, among other evolutionary tricks up their sleeves. This combination allows them to take off and soar without breaking the laws of physics. In simpler terms, bumblebees stay airborne because of the way their wings move, their shape, and their speed. While they might not be the most efficient flyers aerodynamically, they certainly make it work. So let’s finally debunk that myth once and for all, shall we?
1. Eggs Aren’t, Uh, Spring Chickens
Every year, around March 20, we mark the beginning of spring. The March equinox is a highly anticipated moment for those who follow that sort of thing. Along with it, some bizarre myths have emerged. One of them claims that on this day, Earth's alignment lets you balance an egg on its end. Yes, seriously.
While it’s true that you can balance an egg during the equinox, the truth is you can do it any other day too. The equinox doesn't actually have any special effect on eggs. The myth sticks around because most people only try it on that specific day, and when they manage it, they reinforce the misconception.
The “egg-quinox” myth began in the 1940s and really took off in the 1980s. That’s when an astronomer from the University of Minnesota decided to put the idea to the test. He balanced eggs every day from February 27 to April 3, and to his surprise, he succeeded each time. But he also noticed that it became easier as time went on. For him, that proved that it wasn’t the equinox, but familiarity that made balancing the eggs easier. Practice, as they say, makes perfect.
So while it’s fun to try balancing an egg on the equinox, it's not a phenomenon exclusive to that day. With some practice, you can manage it any day of the year. The equinox just happens to be a popular time for this quirky tradition. And that's all!
