The seven great "medical myths" Revealed

[UniversalPassLorence]

These well-worn theories are among seven "medical myths" exposed in a paper published Friday in the British Medical Journal, which traditionally carries light-hearted features in its Christmas edition. Two U.S. researchers took seven common beliefs and searched the archives for evidence to support them.

* Reading in dim light ruins your eyesight
* Shaving makes hair grow back faster or coarser
* Need to drink 8 glasses of water a day to be healty
* Eating turkey makes you drowsy
* We use only 10 percent of our brains
* Hair and fingernails continue to grow after death
* Mobile phones are dangerous in hospitals

* Can go blind from stroking the chicken too much (I added this one, and I am the scientific proof on this one )

Full Article

Huh, do you agree and what other ones do you think is a myth?

[PantieZ]

* We use only 10 percent of our brains

no shure about this one ...

"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the the universe." ... A.Einstein

[OTerror]

turkey makes me drowsy!

[Damian_Maxcash]

I was just reading that 2 mins ago - I dont why I bother leaving GFY!

[pornask]

* We use only 10 percent of our brains

average human probably uses less than that

[SmokeyTheBear]

i think those are a bit broad statements.

how can someone say using a cell phone in a hospital is not dangerous. it's dangerous if its your surgeon taking the call

[Scott McD]

average human probably uses less than that

Average GFY'er, even less than that...

[V_RocKs]

* Reading in dim light ruins your eyesight

The majority of eye experts believe it is unlikely to do any permanent damage, but it may make you squint, blink more and have trouble focusing, the researchers said.

So does it or doesn't it? Sheesh!

[Iron Fist]

Average GFY'er, even less than that...

Average Greened GFYer... even less than that

[StuartD]

no shure about this one ...

http://www.snopes.com/science/stats/10percent.asp

[FakeNick]

average human probably uses less than that

average gfyer definately does

[UniversalPassLorence]

i think those are a bit broad statements.

how can someone say using a cell phone in a hospital is not dangerous. it's dangerous if its your surgeon taking the call

Good point or even worst, drops the cell.

[tony286]

thats interesting

[RAM]

Carrots make you tan

[UniversalPassLorence]

turkey makes me drowsy!

It does contain an amino acid called tryptophan that is involved in sleep and mood control. But turkey has no more of the acid than chicken or minced beef. Eating lots of food and drink at Christmas are probably the real cause of sleepiness.


so they say

[tranza]

Cool study...

[UniversalPassLorence]

I was just reading that 2 mins ago - I dont why I bother leaving GFY!

This site is better than CNN

[SmokeyTheBear]

It does contain an amino acid called tryptophan that is involved in sleep and mood control. But turkey has no more of the acid than chicken or minced beef. Eating lots of food and drink at Christmas are probably the real cause of sleepiness.


so they say

yes but the "myth" isn't that turkey makes you MORE sleepy than other foods..

they said "eating turkey makes you drowsy" . if it does then its not a myth

[The Heron]

I wish hospitals would believe 'research' and stop being gay about cellphones.

[woj]

interesting article

[VeriSexy]

http://www.snopes.com/science/stats/10percent.asp

I love that site

[MattO]

The thing with the shaving, I think this is why people think it grows back thicker:

Natural hair is of differing lengths, and falls out randomly and is replaced by new hair, so the feel of it will be of a mixed texture, some long hairs, some shorter, etc.
When you shave that area, all the hair starts out at the same, and grows out all at once, so it might feel like there's more there, since the individual hairs are all now the same length.

[UniversalPassLorence]

The thing with the shaving, I think this is why people think it grows back thicker:

Natural hair is of differing lengths, and falls out randomly and is replaced by new hair, so the feel of it will be of a mixed texture, some long hairs, some shorter, etc.
When you shave that area, all the hair starts out at the same, and grows out all at once, so it might feel like there's more there, since the individual hairs are all now the same length.

That makes sense. Here is their logic:
It has no effect on the thickness or rate of hair regrowth, studies say. But stubble lacks the finer taper of unshaven hair, giving the impression of coarseness.

[D]

i think those are a bit broad statements.

how can someone say using a cell phone in a hospital is not dangerous. it's dangerous if its your surgeon taking the call

Heard this on the evening news, myself.

The "turkey" one surprised me.