Medical Myths, Lies, and Half-Truths: What We Think We Know May Be Hurting Us

The importance of debunking medical myths; tips on where to seek out solid, medically backed information; unpacking common myths about hiccups, sneezing, swallowing gum, curing a hangover and swimming after eating.

Water is the most basic element of life; there are many misconceptions about keeping the body hydrated; how the body regulates water; how much water one should really drink every day; whether bottles of water and water purifiers are worth the cost.

One cannot overdose on vitamins; organically grown food is more nutritious than traditionally grown food; everyone should take vitamin supplements; these are some of the many myths and half-truths about vitamins and nutrition to investigate.

Dieting is the area most prone to myths and misinformation; evaluating the veracity of everything from the benefits of low-carb and low-fat diets and the use of weight-loss supplements to intense workouts and the nature of "good" and "bad" fats.

Dr. Novella explores some common fallacies about the natural foods one can find in almost any grocery store around the world; how such foods are cultivated; how they are labeled and sold; how they are prepared and consumed.

There are billions of bacteria around and inside the body; some of them are beneficial to health; exploring the truths behind probiotics; what they are; whether they help with certain issues; the possibilities of genetically engineered bacteria.

Looking at whether large amounts of sugar lead to hyperactivity in children; debunking common misconceptions about the effects of sugar, food additives and food allergies on children's behavior; studying attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Another popular medical subject is antioxidants; what scientists find about the potential for antioxidants to treat diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's; to prevent cancer and heart disease; to promote longevity and lifelong health.

Putting popular myths about the cold to bed; considering stories that include not going out in cold weather, eating chicken soup, washing one's hands and taking over-the-counter medicine; what science says about what works and what does not.

Vaccines are perhaps the single safest and most effective preventive health measure ever devised; the history of vaccination; what types of vaccines doctors use to stave off specific diseases; why some people still question this technique.

Looking at myths surrounding the safety of vaccines, such as that of the mumps-measles-rubella vaccine; unwarranted fear and confusion among parents; the myth leads to decreased vaccination rates and the reemergence of serious infectious diseases.

Infection remains a serious problem for humans; learning about different bacteria and other invasive organisms; delving into some half-truths about antibiotic resistance and good hygiene; answering the question whether one can be too clean.

Defining diagnoses; not all diagnoses are equally valid; learning how doctors make informed diagnoses; investigating several diseases that illustrate the controversy behind them, including chronic Lyme disease and chronic fatigue syndrome.

How much herbalism really differs from modern pharmacology; Dr. Novella explores the complicated process of drug development and testing; scientifically debunking popular herbal remedies such as echinacea, ginkgo biloba and St. John's wort.

Homeopathy is a controversial belief system that should not be substituted for effective treatment; how it is supposed to work; why the science community rejects its prescriptions; how homeopathic products are prepared; what is actually in them.

Where toxins come from; how bodies work to handle toxins; the toxins one should worry about; the scientific reasons why detoxifying treatments like colon cleansing, over-the-counter herbal agents and skin products do nothing more than waste money.

Acupuncture has yet to be convincingly proven to be medically effective beyond nonspecific placebo effects; a closer look at the practice's Eastern and Western origins; its medical claims; its false potential as a form of anesthesia.

Investigating how magnetic fields in objects like microwaves and cell phones work on human bodies; how healing is attempted through devices such as bracelets and pads; how research shows that this curious form of medicine is scientifically unsound.

The popular perception of hypnosis; whether hypnosis has actual medical benefits; delving into the neuroscience of hypnosis; examining truths about its clinical uses in dealing with memory loss, sleep disorders, chronic pain and more.

Different levels of consciousness one can have in a coma; the possibility of waking up from a coma; whether comatose people know that others are present; the media perpetuates confusion about comas and consciousness; separating myth from reality.

Myths about placebos are "gateway myths", meaning they often lead to other medical misconceptions; how placebos are defined; how they are administered; what their different effects can be; whether they really make for an effective form of medicine.

A whirlwind of misinformation surrounds the subject of pregnancy, such as carrying a baby low meaning it is a boy and never eating fish or drinking caffeine; unpacking many of the most common and popular myths about pregnancy.

Getting a broader perspective on medical misinformation with a tour of myths from around the world; South Korea's belief about sleeping with an electric fan; beliefs in parts of Africa about curing HIV; Japan's belief about blood type.

A brief survey of "mini-myths", including that body heat is mostly lost through the head; that cracking the knuckles causes arthritis; that eating turkey makes one sleepy; pondering the benefits of knowing how to sort through misconceptions and hype.