We are used to hearing and repeating beliefs from our parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, or those learned culturally. Beliefs that we have never questioned because, if mom says it, how can I doubt it? However, there are many myths that circulate, with varying degrees of credibility, but have been dismantled by science. This is the case of photographic memory, which has been debunked by scientists. Instead, there is eidetic memory, which allows those who have it to remember an image in great detail for a few minutes. Another belief is about cramping if you swim just after eating. There is no scientific evidence that there is a relationship between both activities.
How many times have you heard that smoking a single cigarette shortens life by 11 minutes? This is the ‘fault’ of the University of Bristol, which conducted a study in 2000 that only considered male smokers, without accounting for predisposition to cancer, female smokers, or the profile of other smokers in the world. Don’t crack your knuckles, it will give you arthritis! Another lie! That ‘crack’ has nothing to do with the bones, but with the bubbles of synovial fluid (partially made up of hyaluronic acid) that form in the joints. You can wake up a sleepwalker without any problem; in fact, you will save them a few bumps while they walk around asleep!
If you are nervous, take a couple of deep breaths, but don’t drink sugared water, as neither has the ability to calm the nervous system. It doesn’t matter if you choose a razor or an electric shaver, the hair will come out with the same thickness, only the accumulation of keratin at the base of the hair causes its shape to be uneven.
You won’t have more of a hangover from mixing wine and beer, but you should consider the presence of ethanol, which is what causes alcohol intoxication. Additionally, fusel alcohol and tannins aggravate the hangover, but not the act of mixing them. Lastly, hair has a constant growth rhythm, so cutting it will simply help it grow in a healthy manner, but not slower or faster.
Inherited Knowledge
Myths and beliefs are part of our culture, and although most have been debunked, they still connect different generations. However, when they relate to health, it is wise to review them and be clear about which ones are not real.
Most common beliefs
Some of the most popular beliefs that have been debunked are:
- If you have a photographic memory, you remember everything just by looking at it. To begin with, science has debunked the existence of such a type of memory. Instead, there is eidetic memory, which is more present in children, allowing them to remember an image in detail for a few minutes.
- Smoking 1 cigarette = 11 minutes less of life. This was based on a study from the University of Bristol, which only took a sample of life expectancy and the habits of male British smokers. Obviously, this cannot be extrapolated to the global population.
- Bathing after eating is deadly. A study has shown that there is no relationship whatsoever between bathing right after eating and experiencing a syncope. The only thing that happens is that blood vessels may dilate, but this does not affect any of the mentioned activities.
- The cracking of the joints is not bone-related, but rather the rupture of a bubble of synovial fluid composed of hyaluronic acid, oxygen, and CO2.
- Water with sugar does not calm, as neither has calming properties or effects on the nervous system.You can wake a sleepwalker without any problem.
- The greatest danger is that they may wake up badly or injure themselves while walking in their sleep.
- Hair grows out at the same thickness regardless of how you remove it. The keratin at the base is what gives the sensation of greater thickness.
- Cutting hair frequently promotes the growth of a healthy mane, but not faster.
- Your hangover will be the same no matter how much you mix drinks. What you need to consider is the presence of tannins, fusel alcohol, and ethanol.
What other myths do you know that science has managed to debunk?