We like to think we are rational beings, but our brains are full of false information. From childhood cartoons to old wives’ tales, there are dozens of common myths you probably still believe without question.
Science has debunked many of these ideas, yet they persist in pop culture. Did you know Napoleon wasn’t actually short? Or that bulls are colorblind?
It is time to set the record straight. Here are 10 common myths you probably still believe that are completely false.
Table of Contents
10 Common Myths You Probably Still Believe (That Are Totally False)
1. We Use Only 10% of Our Brains
This is perhaps the most famous myth of all. The movie Lucy was based on it. But the truth is, we use virtually every part of our brain, and most of the brain is active almost all the time.
According to Britannica, brain scans show activity across the entire organ, even when we are sleeping. This is one of the common myths you probably still believe because it sounds so appealing.
⚡ The Truth: You use 100% of your brain over the course of a day.
2. Bulls Hate the Color Red
In cartoons and bullfighting, the matador waves a red cape to make the bull angry. But here is the kicker: bulls are colorblind to red.
The bull charges because of the movement of the cape, not the color. You could wave a blue or green cape, and the result would be the same aggression.
⚡ The Truth: Bulls attack moving objects, regardless of color.
3. The Great Wall of China is Visible from Space
This is one of the most persistent common myths you probably still believe. While the wall is long, it is not wide enough to be seen from low Earth orbit with the naked eye.
NASA astronauts have confirmed that it is nearly impossible to distinguish the wall from the surrounding landscape without a camera lens.
⚡ The Truth: You can see city lights, but not the Great Wall.
4. Goldfish Have a 3-Second Memory
Poor goldfish. We justify keeping them in tiny bowls by claiming they won’t remember being bored. In reality, studies show that fish can remember things for months.
They can be trained to push levers for food and recognize their owners. This is one of the unfair common myths you probably still believe that hurts pets.
⚡ The Truth: Fish memories can last for months or even years.
5. Chameleons Change Color for Camouflage
We think of chameleons as the ultimate spies, blending into any background. While some matching occurs, color change is primarily for communication and temperature regulation.
A chameleon turns dark to absorb heat and bright colors to attract a mate or warn off rivals. Read more at National Geographic.
⚡ The Truth: Colors indicate mood and temperature, not just background.
6. Sugar Makes Kids Hyperactive
Every parent “knows” that a birthday cake leads to a sugar rush. However, numerous scientific studies have found no link between sugar and hyperactivity.
The “rush” usually comes from the excitement of the party itself. This is one of those common myths you probably still believe due to the placebo effect.
⚡ The Truth: It’s the party, not the cake, making them wild.
7. Napoleon Was Short
The term “Napoleon Complex” comes from the idea that the French emperor was tiny. In reality, he was about 5’7″ (1.70m), which was actually slightly above average for a Frenchman of his time.
The confusion came from the difference between French and British measurement units, and British propaganda designed to mock him.
⚡ The Truth: He was average height, or even tall for his era.
8. The Tongue Map
You probably learned in school that the tip of your tongue tastes sweet and the sides taste sour. This “tongue map” is completely wrong and was based on a mistranslation of a 1901 German paper.
In reality, you can taste all flavors on all parts of your tongue. This remains one of the most persistent common myths you probably still believe from school.
⚡ The Truth: Your entire tongue can taste everything.
9. Vikings Wore Horned Helmets
Every cartoon and movie depicts Vikings with horns on their helmets. However, archeologists have never found a Viking era helmet with horns.
Horns would be impractical in battle, giving enemies something to grab onto. The myth likely started with 19th-century costume designers for Wagner’s operas.
⚡ The Truth: Vikings wore plain leather or metal helmets.
10. You Swallow 8 Spiders a Year in Your Sleep
This terrifying statistic is completely made up. Spiders have no interest in entering a warm, moist mouth that is exhaling carbon dioxide and making vibrating snoring sounds.
To a spider, a sleeping human is a terrifying giant, not a playground. Sleep tight!
⚡ The Truth: Spiders avoid your mouth at all costs.
Conclusion
The world is full of misinformation. Questioning these common myths you probably still believe helps us understand the world better. Science is about evidence, not just popular opinion.
How many of these did you believe? Let us know in the comments! And if you like looking toward the future instead of the past, read our article on 10 Future Technologies That Will Change the World.