I am sure you have heard some of these common myths about everyday life. Well, don't always believe what you hear. Here are some of the most common myths that we hear all the time.
1. We only using 10% of our brain
This myth is probably one of the most well-known myths about the brain.
Where did it come from? It’s not entirely clear how it all started.
One possibility is that it originated from William James, Psychologist, who wrote in his 1907 book The Energies of Men, “we are making use of only a small part of our possible mental and physical resources.” Through the years, this quote may have been changed into the saying that we only using 10% of our brain. It has also been misattributed to many people, including Albert Einstein.
Neuroimaging (Brain imaging) technologies such as positron emission tomography (PET) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) techniques that disclose areas of relatively high brain activity in real time. These studies revealed that even during sleep, all parts of the brain show some level of activity.
"It turns out though, that we use virtually every part of the brain, and that [most of] the brain is active almost all the time”, Barry Gordon, neurologist, John Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore was quoted in American Scientific.
Despite research debunking the 10% brain myth, almost 65% of Americans believe this myth is true.
2. Humans have more than 5 senses
Sight, smell, taste, hearing, and touch are the only senses of humans, right?
But no. Actually, human have 5 traditional and more than 20 non-traditional senses .
Here are some of our lesser-known ones: Hunger , Thirst, Pressure – ability to detect pressure, Equilibrioception – a sense of balance, Thermoception – sense of heat , Nociception – the ability to feel pain, Kinaesthesia – sense of movement and many more.
3. Sitting too close to the TV damages your eyesight
In 1968, GE sold some new colour TV sets that emitted excessive amounts of X-rays. It is dangerous to overexposure to these X–rays. Even though GE recalled and corrected these faulty TVs, the threat of ruining our eyes remained in people's mind.
However, modern televisions have a proper shield that blocks radiation, so radiation is no longer an issue. But sitting in front of TV may cause your eyes eyestrain, fatigue or a headache. so it’s better to take regular breaks while watching it.
It may cause few other health problems indirectly particularly among children
4. Shaving causes hair to grow back faster, darker and thicker
In 1928, a clinical trial showed that shaving had no effect on hair growth. Another study in 1970 also confirmed that shaving does not affect the thickness or rate of hair re-growth. Shaving/trimming hair gives the hair a blunt tip. The tip might feel coarse for a time as it grows out. During this period, the hair may seem thicker and darker. In reality, it's one big special effect.
5. Hair and nails continue to grow after you die
After death, a body/skin becomes less hydrated, causing shrinkage of the flesh and skin and giving the impression that fingernails and hair are longer/still growing. But the hair and nails remain the same length.
6. Drinking alcohol makes you feel warm
Alcohol causes your blood vessels to dilate, particularly the blood vessels closer to your skin. When you have a drink, the volume of blood brought to the skin’s surface increases. This makes you feel warm. However, you lose core body temperature at the same time because of the blood rush closer to your skin.
References
1. www.wikipedia.org
2. www.faculty.washington.edu
3. www.scientificamerican.com
4. www.michaeljfox.org
5. www.wikipedia.org
6. www.urbantimes.co
7. www.nytimes.com
8. www.scientificamerican.com
9. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
10. www.discovery.com
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