Revealed: The seven great "medical myths"

RecklessTim · 12-21-2007, 12:22 PM

Quote:

LONDON (Reuters) - Reading in dim light won't damage your eyes, you don't need eight glasses of water a day to stay healthy and shaving your legs won't make the hair grow back faster.
These well-worn theories are among seven "medical myths" exposed in a paper published on 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.
Despite frequent mentions in the popular press of the need to drink eight glasses of water, they found no scientific basis for the claim.
The complete lack of evidence has been recorded in a study published the American Journal of Psychology, they said.
The other six "myths" are:
* 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.
* Shaving makes hair grow back faster or coarser
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.
* Eating turkey makes you 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.
* We use only 10 percent of our brains
This myth arose as early as 1907 but imaging shows no area of the brain is silent or completely inactive.
* Hair and fingernails continue to grow after death
This idea may stem from ghoulish novels. The researchers said the skin dries out and retracts after death, giving the appearance of longer hair or nails.
* Mobile phones are dangerous in hospitals
Despite widespread concerns, studies have found minimal interference with medical equipment.
The research was conducted by Aaron Carroll, an assistant professor of pediatrics at the Regenstrief Institute, Indianapolis, and Rachel Vreeman, fellow in children's health services research at Indiana University School of Medicine.

Very interesting indeed.

12-21-2007, 12:27 PM

Did you see the Mythbusters where they dispelled the myth about cell phones on airplanes?

hubersrj · 12-21-2007, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AllVenom

Did you see the Mythbusters where they dispelled the myth about cell phones on airplanes?

Mythbusters is awesome...I like the one with cell phones and gas stations.

12-21-2007, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hubersrj

Mythbusters is awesome...I like the one with cell phones and gas stations.

I liked the one where they had to make a mold of the chick's arse, haha to see if an ass could get stuck down on an airplane toilet from the suction.

hubersrj · 12-21-2007, 12:37 PM

YES!!!!!

their little helper chicks are hot!

dt3 · 12-21-2007, 03:23 PM

Rush was talking about this today

12-21-2007, 12:27 PM	#2
NightWarrior Guest Posts: n/a Tokenz: 0 [Check]	Re: Revealed: The seven great "medical myths" Did you see the Mythbusters where they dispelled the myth about cell phones on airplanes?

12-21-2007, 12:37 PM	#5
hubersrj Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Miami Twp, OH Posts: 2,100 Tokenz: 379	Re: Revealed: The seven great "medical myths" YES!!!!! their little helper chicks are hot!

12-21-2007, 03:23 PM	#6
dt3 Semper Fi Staff Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 18,880 Tokenz: 7,902	Re: Revealed: The seven great "medical myths" Rush was talking about this today __________________ Charter Member of The Conservatives In Exile 11/5/2008

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