Here is a fascinating article proving just because someone is smart doesn’t mean their
opinions should be accepted without question.
Researchers at Indiana University School of Medicine investigated whether some common beliefs were true. They specifically looked into topics that the general public and physicians traditionally believed to be true, but aren’t. Here is the list of myths and explanations of why they’re not true.
Six common myths
Shaving hair will cause it to grow back faster or coarser - NOT TRUE. This myth was busted by a 1928 randomized clinical trial that showed shaved hair did not grow back faster, darker or thicker.
Hair and fingernails continue to grow after we die - NOT TRUE. This is just an optical illusion caused by your skin drying out when you die.
People use only 10 percent of their brains - NOT TRUE. Through the use of MRI scans and other brain imaging techniques, scientists have demonstrated that you use all of your brain.
Eating turkey makes you sleepy - NOT TRUE. While the protein tryptophan has been shown to make you drowsy, turkey doesn’t actually have much more than beef or chicken. In fact, pork has even more.
People should drink at least 8 glasses of water a day - NOT TRUE. Your total fluid intake should be about 8 glasses but you count all the liquids you ingest including soda, coffee, and liquid from fruits and vegetables.
Reading in dim light ruins your eyesight - NOT TRUE. While it might temporarily decrease your eyesight acuity, there’s no proof that it causes any permanent damage.
Experts can be wrong
A study like this is exactly why science is great. Nobody holds a monopoly on truth. Some people may know more than you, but nobody knows everything. If you hear a claim on tv, the internet, or from your stylist, don’t automatically assume it’s true. Do a little research and find out what’s real before you start propagating myths. And if you do research a topic, try to avoid biased sources such as marketing information on company websites. They often manipulate the facts to get you to buy products.
Incidentally, this Beauty Brain learned the lesson about doctors being gullible a few years ago. A friend of mine was dating a heart surgeon who was a big believer in Feng Shui. That completely shattered my image of the brilliant doctor. Any skeptical mind can tell you there’s no proof that anything about that Feng Shui is true.
Now, I’m off to make some cookies. I wouldn’t want Santa to have nothing to eat.
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Gloria Says:
heyyyyyyy, I believe in Feng Shui!!!
then again, given my background and culture… it’s just a part of me.. hahahaha.. just like herbal medicine and ghosts.. =D
Lauren Ruettimann Says:
What kind of heart surgeon (who is trained in science, right?) believes in Feng Shui? Where’s the logic in that?
That surgeon must have been c-r-a-z-y.
C Says:
My boss who is a cardiologist has some feng shui elements in his office. I know it doesn’t seem logical but I guess it’s just a part of Chinese culture that some grow up with and not out of. Even if the dr doesn’t believe in the magical?? properties of item positioning, it at least looks aesthetically pleasing.
Interesting tidbit: In Canada, Chinese Medicine drs must have a degree in western medicine before they can practice.
Right Brain Says:
I have no problem with different cultural beliefs, but personally I wouldn’t want to go to any doctor that believes in voodoo or feng shui!
nichi Says:
Hi! I love the site and particularly this post. It reminds me of the ‘trimming your hair makes it grow faster’ school of thought that, when I try to explain it’s not true, people look at me as if I’m… well, practicing voodoo!
Though I was disappointed when my Chinese doctor told me, ‘I don’t know about this ‘herbal’ medicine…’ ^_^
Great site and can’t wait to read more in the coming years.
Rhonda Says:
Tryptophan is an Amino Acid, which is but one of the components needed to build a Protein. Tryptophan, in and of itself, is not a Protein.
You wrote:
“Eating turkey makes you sleepy - NOT TRUE. While the protein tryptophan has been shown to make you drowsy, turkey doesn’t actually have much more than beef or chicken. In fact, pork has even more.”
Craig Says:
But wait — these six opinions represent “consensus science” and anyone who disagrees is a Denier!
Oh wait, that’s man-made global warming…
My bad.
kripata Says:
With Feng Shui the problem is relatively simple, you can instantly recognize it as something a doctor shouldn’t believe in.
But I am really concerned about going to a doctor and being prescribed some “natural” supplements that don’t have a specific purpose. It happens all too often, and, not being a health specialist, I can’t tell whether I really need that.
Karen Says:
It sounds like Craig listens to Rush!
thebeautybrains Says:
Rhonda, you are correct. Tryptophan is an amino acid.
lara Says:
I’ve heard more experts say that shaved hair growing back coarser is a myth than say it’s true. But before I heard either opinion, I noticed very definitely that my hair grows back thicker and coarser once I start shaving a particular area. Most of my friends say they don’t experience this. I just came to the conclusion that everyone’s different.
I also notice that coffee ultimately winds up making me feel dehydrated. There may or may not be a scientific reason, but my general approach is to trust the way I feel and drink lots of water because it’s the only thing that makes me feel hydrated.
I think I just generally am skeptical not of experts but of anyone who makes broad, definite statements, especially when they contradict my own experience.
thebeautybrains Says:
lara,
As independent witnesses to our own experiences, humans are not very reliable. We are easily fooled by our own observations and collect data to support our beliefs more often than learning the truth. It would be truly an amazing phenomena if your hair did grow back thicker and coarser as a result of shaving.
Alex Says:
Lara,
Hair that is shaved off often looks coarser than hair that hasn’t been cut because hair naturally grows from the roots with a tapered edge that doesn’t reflect light the same way as blunt, cut ends do.