Today's Myths

Q: Cracking your back or neck can cause a stroke

Plausible: There is a small but documented risk that forceful neck manipulation can damage vertebral arteries, potentially leading to stroke. The risk is very low but has been reported in medical literature, particularly with high-velocity cervical manipulation.

Q: Vikings wore helmets adorned with prominent horns.

Busted: There is no archaeological evidence to suggest that Vikings wore horned helmets into battle or for everyday use. The popular image of horned Viking helmets originated in 19th-century Romantic nationalism and was popularized by costume designer Carl Emil Doepler for Richard Wagner's opera "Der Ring des Nibelungen." Real Viking helmets were typically simple, protective skullcaps.

Q: The 'five-second rule' ensures food dropped on the floor is safe from harmful bacteria if picked up quickly.

Busted: The "five-second rule" is a myth; bacteria can transfer to food immediately upon contact with a surface. The rate of transfer can depend on factors like moisture, surface type, and contact time, but even quick retrieval doesn't guarantee safety from contamination. It is generally safest to discard food that has fallen on the floor.

Q: Fortune cookies originated in China.

Busted: Fortune cookies are not a traditional Chinese invention. They originated in California in the early 20th century, likely from Japanese immigrants who adapted a similar Japanese cracker. They became widely associated with Chinese restaurants in the United States after World War II.

Q: Spicy food causes stomach ulcers

Busted: Spicy food does not cause ulcers, which are primarily caused by H. pylori bacteria or NSAID overuse. Capsaicin may actually have protective effects on stomach lining.

Discover the truth behind popular myths — busted, confirmed, or plausible? Vote on what you believe, debate with the community, and learn something new every day.

Medicine

Today's Myths

“Cracking your back or neck can cause a stroke”

“Vikings wore helmets adorned with prominent horns.”

“The 'five-second rule' ensures food dropped on the floor is safe from harmful bacteria if picked up quickly.”

“Fortune cookies originated in China.”

“Spicy food causes stomach ulcers”

“Spicy food causes stomach ulcers”

“Dogs see only in black and white”

“The iron in your blood could make a nail”

“Twinkies have an infinite shelf life”

“Brown eggs are healthier than white eggs.”

“You can see individual atoms with a powerful microscope.”

“Listening to Mozart makes you smarter”

“Napoleon Bonaparte was unusually short”

“Ancient Romans used vomitariums to clear their stomachs during feasts.”

“Ancient Egyptians used electricity in the form of Baghdad batteries”