Busted or Confirmed? 3 Popular Myths That Turned Out to Be True!

Myths often spark intense debates about their truthfulness, engaging scholars, historians, and enthusiasts alike in discussions that can be both enlightening and contentious. These narratives, which have been passed down through generations, serve various purposes in different cultures, from explaining natural phenomena to imparting moral lessons.

Photo Credit: NYC Microseasons

However, the core of these discussions frequently revolves around the key question: are these myths true or false? Today, we'll delve into this subject and settle the matter. The answer we discovered may surprise you. This is "Busted or Confirmed? 3 Popular Myths That Turned Out to Be True!" Elephants Are Afraid of Mice

The debate on whether elephants fear mice involves perspectives from zoology, psychology, and folklore. Some argue elephants, as the largest land mammals, are unlikely to fear mice due to their size difference and ability to defend against larger threats. They suggest elephants' reactions are based on learned experiences rather than instinctual fears. Others contend that elephants may exhibit fear or discomfort when startled by mice, as sudden movements can trigger an instinctual response.

Photo Credit: A-Z Animals

This unease might stem from elephants' sensitivity to touch and movement. Cultural references and stories also reinforce the belief that elephants are afraid of mice, emphasizing themes of strength against vulnerability. This idea is embedded in popular culture, complicating scientific discussions. The question is intriguing, inviting more research into the biological, behavioral, and cultural aspects of interactions between elephants and mice.

However, in an episode of Discovery Channel's Mythbusters, Adam and Jamie investigated this myth to settle it definitively. They discovered that elephants are actually afraid of mice and behave differently when mice are nearby thus proving the myth is actually true.

Lightning Can Hit the Same Spot Twice

You've likely heard the saying “Lightning never strikes the same place twice” before, commonly used to comfort someone by suggesting that whatever unfortunate event occurred will not repeat itself. But does the myth and idioms can go along? The myth surrounding that idioms has been questioned for the longest time and it turns out, lightning can hit the same spot twice, but how?

Lightning often strikes the same spot, particularly tall structures, because of their height and interaction with atmospheric electrical charges. The Empire State Building in New York City exemplifies this, being struck by lightning approximately 20-25 times annually. It is fitted with a lightning rod that safely directs electrical energy into the ground, safeguarding the building and its occupants.

This frequency highlights the building's height and the interaction between atmospheric electricity and urban settings. Understanding lightning behavior helps in creating safety measures and architectural designs to reduce associated risks.

A Full Moon Can Affect Human Behavior.

A full moon can affect human behavior, though not as dramatically as myths suggest, such as transforming into a werewolf like something out of a movie. Research indicates that during a full moon, individuals may experience sleep disruptions, taking longer to fall asleep and having less deep sleep. Some studies link the lunar cycle to mood changes, such as increased anxiety and irritability, possibly due to sleep disturbances or psychological expectations. Hospitals have observed higher patient admissions and erratic behavior during full moons, although this is not consistently supported by all studies.

Earlier research suggested a slight increase in crime and aggression, but modern findings are mixed. While the moon’s gravitational pull is too weak to directly affect humans, changes in natural light exposure may influence sleep and melatonin production. Some effects, like increased restlessness or emotional shifts, might also result from the placebo effect, where people act differently because they expect to.

While the full moon may have some influence on sleep and mood, its link to crime, hospital visits, or extreme behavior remains debated.

Those are the three myths that were actually true. Be sure to share this article with others and tell us which myth surprised you the most.