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

Strengthen your skills at assessing the truth behind medical information and discover evidence-based guidelines for good health, led by a Yale University School professor.

Overview

Course No. 1924

True or false: Eight glasses of water a day are mandatory for staying hydrated. Vitamin C protects you from catching a cold. Natural foods are always better for you. What do these nuggets of so-called medical wisdom have in common? They’re not true. They’re myths, half-truths, and misconceptions – pieces of information so familiar we take them for granted without truly considering the scientific truth behind them.

In today’s information age, such medical myths are all around us. And using them to make decisions about your own health can be harmful. Even deadly. That’s why it’s critical to understand the accuracy of medical information and discover the truth about everyday health and well-being.

That’s the core of this important series of 24 eye-opening lectures from an acclaimed neurologist, educator, and science broadcaster. Dr. Novella will give you evidence-based guidelines for good health, enhance your ability to be better informed about common medical myths, and strengthen your skills at assessing medical information and advice.

An essential aid for any home, the lecture series is divided into three sections that focus on specific aspects of health:

• “You Are What You Eat and Drink”: Get pointed looks at proper hydration, the routine use of multivitamins, natural foods and probiotics, antioxidants, and more.
• “Fighting Diseases”: Sort out truth from fiction regarding vaccines, the supposed link between vaccination and autism, chronic diseases, and other subjects.
• “Exploring the Alternatives”: Investigate the claims behind herbal medicines, homeopathy, acupuncture, and other alternatives that aren’t as worthwhile as they claim to be.

Video Lectures

01: Medical Knowledge versus Misinformation (32 min)

In Dr. Novella’s introductory lecture, discover the importance of debunking medical myths and learn tips on where to seek out solid, medically backed information. Then, get a taste of the lectures to come by unpacking common myths about hiccups, sneezing, swallowing gum, curing a hangover, and swimming after eating.

02: Myths about Water and Hydration (32 min)

Water is the most basic element of life. And yet there are many misconceptions about keeping your body hydrated. How exactly do our bodies regulate water? How much water should you really drink every day? Are expensive bottles of water and water purifiers worth the cost?

03: Vitamin and Nutrition Myths (30 min)

You cannot overdose on vitamins. Organically grown food is more nutritious than traditionally grown food. Everyone should take vitamin supplements—and the more the better. These are some of the many myths and half-truths you investigate in this lecture on vitamin use and nutritional health.

04: Dieting—Separating Myths from Facts (28 min)

More than any other component of health, dieting is the area most prone to myths and misinformation. Here, evaluate the veracity of everything from the benefits of low-carb and low-fat diets to the use of weight-loss supplements and intense workouts to the nature of “good” and “bad” fats.

05: The Fallacy That Natural Is Always Better (32 min)

Natural isn’t always better for you, as Dr. Novella demonstrates by guiding you through some common fallacies about the “natural foods” you can find in almost any grocery store around the world. These include how such foods are cultivated, how they’re labeled and sold, and how they’re prepared and consumed.

06: Probiotics and Our Bacterial Friends (28 min)

There are billions of bacteria around and inside your body—and some of them are actually beneficial to your health. Explore the truths behind probiotics: what they are, whether they help with issues like tooth decay and irritable bowel syndrome, and the future possibilities of genetically engineered bacteria.

07: Sugar and Hyperactivity (29 min)

It’s commonly believed that large amounts of sugar lead to hyperactivity in children. But is that really the case? Debunk common misconceptions about the effects of sugar, food additives, and food allergies on children’s behavior, and learn more about what may sometimes be the true culprit: attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

08: Antioxidants—Hype versus Reality (30 min)

Another popular medical subject is antioxidants: substances in “superfoods” such as green tea that stabilize oxygen-free radicals. Discover what scientists have found about the potential for antioxidants to treat diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, to prevent cancer and heart disease, and to promote longevity and lifelong health.

09: The Common Cold (30 min)

Finally put to bed the popular myths about one of the most common illnesses: a cold. You’ve heard the stories about not going out in cold weather, eating chicken soup, washing your hands, and taking over-the-counter medicine. Now, discover what science says about what works and what doesn’t.

10: Vaccination Benefits—How Well Vaccines Work (33 min)

Vaccines are perhaps the single safest and most effective preventive health measure ever devised. In the first of two lectures on this subject, learn the history of vaccination, what types of vaccines doctors use to stave off specific diseases, and why some people still question whether this technique works.

11: Vaccination Risks—Real and Imagined (32 min)

Focus now on myths surrounding the safety of vaccines—including the mumps-measles-rubella (MMR) vaccine and its false link to autism in children. Because of the unwarranted fear and confusion among parents, this particular myth has led to decreased vaccination rates and the reemergence of serious infectious diseases.

12: Antibiotics, Germs, and Hygiene (32 min)

Infection remains a serious problem for our species, despite our well-developed immune systems. After learning about different bacteria and other invasive organisms, delve into some half-truths about antibiotic resistance and good hygiene. End the lecture with the answer to an intriguing question: Can you be too clean?

13: Vague Symptoms and Fuzzy Diagnoses (32 min)

Diagnoses are the labels we attach to the signs and symptoms of particular diseases or illnesses. But not all diagnoses are equally valid. Here, learn how doctors make informed diagnoses and investigate several diseases that illustrate the controversy behind them, including chronic Lyme disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, and fibromyalgia.

14: Herbalism and Herbal Medicines (30 min)

Herbalism is perhaps the oldest form of medicine. So how much does it really differ from modern pharmacology? Find out as Dr. Novella explores the complicated process of drug development and testing, and then scientifically debunks popular herbal remedies such as echinacea, Gingko biloba, and St. John’s wort.

15: Homeopathy—One Giant Myth (32 min)

Devised before the advent of science-based medicine, homeopathy is a controversial belief system that should not be substituted for effective treatment. So how is it supposed to work? Why has the science community rejected its prescriptions? How are homeopathic products prepared—and what is actually in them?

16: Facts about Toxins and Myths about Detox (33 min)

Find out where toxins come from, how our bodies work to effectively handle toxins, and what toxins you should worry about. Then, discover the scientific reasons why detoxifying treatments like colon cleansing, over-the-counter herbal agents, and skin products do nothing more than leech money out of your wallet.

17: Myths about Acupuncture’s Past and Benefits (30 min)

Acupuncture has recently received a great deal of attention but has yet to be convincingly proven to be medically effective beyond nonspecific placebo effects. In this lecture, take a closer look at the practice’s Eastern and Western origins, its medical claims, its false potential as a form of anesthesia, and more.

18: Myths about Magnets, Microwaves, Cell Phones (32 min)

The idea of using electromagnetism to heal has been around for centuries. Investigate how magnetic fields in objects like microwaves and cell phones work on our bodies, how healing is attempted through devices such as bracelets and pads, and how research shows that this curious form of medicine is scientifically unsound.

19: All about Hypnosis (28 min)

When you hear the word “hypnosis,” odds are you’re thinking about the trance-like states you see on stage and TV. But does it have actual medical benefits? Here, delve into the neuroscience of hypnosis and examine truths about its clinical uses in dealing with memory loss, sleep disorders, chronic pain, and more.

20: Myths about Coma and Consciousness (32 min)

What are the different levels of consciousness one can have in a coma? Is it truly possible to just wake up from a coma? Can people know that others are present while comatose? Movies and stories in the media perpetuate our confusion about comas and consciousness. Separate myth from reality here.

21: What Placebos Can and Cannot Do (31 min)

Myths about placebos are “gateway myths”—meaning they often lead to many other medical misconceptions and half-truths. By understanding how placebos are defined, how they are administered, and what their different effects can be, you can better grasp whether they really make for an effective form of medicine.

22: Myths about Pregnancy (32 min)

Carrying a baby low while pregnant means it’s a boy. Never eat fish or drink caffeine while pregnant. Intercourse every 48 hours will increase your chances of conception. A whirlwind of misinformation surrounds the subject of pregnancy. Unpack many of the most common—and popular—myths in this lecture.

23: Medical Myths from around the World (33 min)

Get a broader perspective on medical misinformation with this tour of myths from around the world, including South Korea (where sleeping with an electric fan on is thought to be deadly), parts of Africa (where it’s believed that intercourse with a virgin can cure HIV infection), and Japan (where some believe personality is tied to blood type).

24: Roundup—Decluttering Our Mental Closet (35 min)

Finish the course with a brief survey of “mini-myths,” including that body heat is mostly lost through your head, that cracking your knuckles causes arthritis, and that eating turkey makes you sleepy. Afterward, take a moment to ponder the benefits of knowing how to sort through misconceptions and hype.