Have you ever believed a well-crafted lie only to discover it was complete nonsense? We all felt deceived when we grew older and realized Santa wasn't real.
Why do people tell lies? Or even more importantly, how come some people believe lies? Rumors and lies spread for various reasons—a fear of unacceptance, hiding shame or guilt, protecting someone else's feelings, or simply ignorance.
People who believe lies might stay uninformed, choose to be unaware, or misled. In this article, we'll debunk five common lies people believe are untrue.
Lie #1: ‘‘Cracking Your Knuckles Causes Arthritis’’
Pop them too hard, and when you're older you get arthritis? This is a common saying that is far from the truth. The audible sound from cracking your knuckles might seem like a cause for alarm, but it has nothing to do with a risk of developing arthritis when you're older.
Many research studies done to investigate these claims have shown that the sound released is due to the gas released from the synovial fluid (mainly carbon dioxide) present in our joints, a process known as cavitation that doesn't cause any known damage to the cartilage in the joints.
Lie #2: ‘‘Humans Use Only 10% of Their Brains’’
The lie that humans use only 10% of our brains is something the mainstream media has been peddling for sometime. Everyone wants to know how they can improve their brain capacity but the truth is that we use most of our brain but not all at once.
Modern science techniques such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans reveal that all parts of the brain don't work at the same time, however, all the different parts have distinct functions and are active only when needed.
Lie #3: ‘‘You Need to Drink Eight Glasses of Water a Day’’
Everyone knows that adequate hydration is important for the skin and overall health. At some point you might have heard that we need to take at least eight glasses of water daily. But the truth is that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to hydration for every person since it depends on an individual's specific needs. For instance, an individual who exercises more sweats more than the average person who doesn't, and the former may have more water requirements.
Climate change can also affect water intake. For instance, in hot weather conditions, people tend to take more water. The baseline remains that you should listen to your body. If you feel thirsty, go for a glass of water.
Lie #4: ‘‘Shaving Makes Hair Grow Back Thicker’’
One of the most common lies people believe is that when you shave hair, especially body hair, it grows back much thicker than regular. This is a myth that started because when hair starts to grow back, it is usually blunt and can give the illusion of sharpness and thickness.
The truth remains that shaving only removes surface hair and has nothing to do with hair thickness.
Lie #5: ‘‘I'm Fine’’
One of the common lies men tell others is that they are fine, especially because they don't want to burden those around us. In reality, most men are expected to stay strong, but the truth remains that we all, regardless of gender, need to let off some steam and be vulnerable so they can get proper care instead of drowning in thought.
Many, even without thinking, would default to this lie as a reply to the question, "How are you?" While it can be dangerous to disclose your thoughts and feelings to strangers, when you have deep issues you can't seem to solve on your own, a problem shared can be sometimes half solved.
Conclusion
By debunking these common lies people believe, we hope people always filter information by first fact-checking before believing them. Don’t always believe everything you hear. If presented with new information, try to confirm it before spreading untrue or fictional stories to others.
Which of these common lies is the most amusing to you, and do you think there are some common lies we tell that were left out? We're excited to hear from you, share your thoughts in the comments.