An apple a day keeps the doctor away. Cracking joints causes arthritis. Wait an hour after eating before swimming. All of this advice has one thing in common: misinformation.

These misconceptions, mostly spread by word of mouth, all create false recommendations that stem from places of little truth.

For example, the saying that sitting too close to the television will ruin one’s eyesight isn’t true. According to an Ophthalmology and Therapy Journal published in July 2022, scientists concluded that this common misconception has no scientific support, making this claim false. They also explain that the habit is more of a concern than its effect on the eyes. The article explains that digital eye strain has temporary effects that are correlated to watching TV, but there are no permanent effects. Myths similar to this one, where fear is attached to the claim, are often found to be completely false.

Junior Jack Hickman believes medical myths catch on because some people are gullible and don’t question misinformation. Hickman refers to a myth he has heard that vaccines cause autism. He wishes that people had more awareness of these forms of undercover propaganda.

“[Vaccines] do not correlate with autism whatsoever, and when I hear people say this, I feel very irritated,” Hickman said.
While it’s tempting to believe some myths, many can cause damage with their false meanings meaning to people believing in false information. On the other hand, many myths are well-intentioned but still inaccurate.

Ninth-grader Lily Parr was taught some medical myths in an effort to guide her in a certain direction, such as, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.”

“There is some direction within this saying as you probably should eat your fruit and vegetables, but the saying is exaggerated,” she said, “I’ve been told this saying by my parents, from TV, and from people around me a lot.”

Parr thinks that it’s risky to believe medical myths and that many people are susceptible to taking them seriously, which could lead to people believing false information. Parr recommends not relying solely on someone’s word or advice.
There are some medical myths that stray from abnormal places. Sophomore Maggie Sampsell-Jones has heard these sayings that have made her second-guess these myths.

Gallery • 3 Photos

Wynter Feiner

Information from Healthline

“I heard that if you eat a cherry pit, you die, so you have to spit it out,” Sampsell-Jones said. “If you eat a seed, like a pumpkin seed, it grows inside you.”

Sampsell-Jones believes that a lot of misinformation is spread through false beliefs and bad advice.
She does not know exactly why people believe these myths or why these sayings were created, but she has seen the effects when misinformation spreads.

Some of these sayings range from harmful to helpful and even sometimes random. It is likely that almost everyone has either been told a myth when they were younger and believed it.

The degree how obscure and believable the myth is depends on the truth of the myth and how it affects someone’s lifestyle. The next time advice is given, make sure to recheck the veracity of it.