Health

Find some great and fun health facts all gathered right here under our health category.  Once you have had your fill of fun facts about health head on over to our random fact generator to learn more random factoids!

WTF Fun Fact 13300 – Swearing and Exercise

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Exercise often needs to be hard to be productive. And that can be a frustrating experience. Maybe that’s why swearing and exercise go together to make you more productive. That’s right, recent research has suggested that swearing during exercise can help to alleviate pain, improve performance, and even reduce stress.

How swearing and exercise go together

According to a study published in the journal Psychology of Sport and Exercise, swearing during exercise can help to reduce the sensation of pain. For example, the study found that people who swore while squeezing a hand grip held on for longer and reported less pain than those who did not swear. That’s because swearing triggers the body’s fight-or-flight response. And this can help to increase pain tolerance and reduce the sensation of discomfort.

“Swearing appears to be able to bring about improvements in physical performance that may not be solely dependent on a stress response arising out of the shock value of the swearing,” Richard Stephens, the study’s co-author, said.

In addition to reducing pain, swearing can also improve performance during exercise.

A study found that athletes who swore before completing a physical task were able to produce more power and strength than those who did not swear. Letting out some choice curse words can increase your adrenaline levels and provide you with a burst of energy. These same things can help athletes perform at their best.

Let it out

Finally, swearing can also help to reduce stress and anxiety during exercise. That’s because swearing can help to regulate emotions and reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. It provides a cathartic release, which can help to improve mental wellbeing.

While swearing during exercise may not be suitable for everyone, there appear to be a number of benefits to using profanity during physical activity.

So next time you hit the gym, don’t be afraid to let out a few choice words – it could be just what you need to improve your performance and reduce pain and stress.

—WTF fun facts

Source: “Cursing helps you crush your workout, experts say” — Global News

WTF Fun Fact 13299 – Caffeine and Adenosine

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Caffeine doesn’t actually give you energy. That buzzed feeling you get when you drink coffee or soda is actually due to an interesting relationship between caffeine and adenosine in your brain that simply tricks you into thinking you’re not tired.

How do caffeine and adenosine work?

Caffeine is one of the most widely consumed stimulants in the world. Many people rely on caffeine to stay awake and alert. But have you ever wondered how caffeine actually works to keep you awake?

Contrary to popular belief, caffeine doesn’t actually give you energy. It actually works by blocking the action of a chemical called adenosine in the brain.

Adenosine is a naturally occurring chemical in the brain. It builds up throughout the day as the brain uses energy. As your adenosine levels rise, these chemicals bind to adenosine receptors in the brain. This, in turn, triggers a response that makes you feel tired and drowsy.

Caffeine works by blocking the adenosine receptors in the brain. This prevents adenosine from binding to those receptors and triggering tiredness.

So, by blocking adenosine, caffeine essentially tricks the brain into thinking that it’s not tired, even though it doesn’t actually provide any extra energy.

Most of us use caffeine to help us feel more awake and alert. But it’s important to know that it doesn’t actually provide any extra energy. In fact, caffeine doesn’t provide any calories or nutrients at all! It’s simply a chemical that alters the way the brain and body function. Interesting, right?

How can we get more energy?

So, caffeine can’t actually boost your body’s real energy reserves. But you can get more energy through the consumption of calories in the form of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. When we eat food, our bodies break these down into glucose.

Glucose molecules are transported into our cells and then broken down through chemical reactions that release energy in the form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate). This true energy is then used by our cells to power a wide range of biological processes. THAT’S how you really get more energy.

In addition to consuming calories, getting enough sleep, staying hydrated, and engaging in physical activity can all help improve energy levels. These are the ways you can truly feel more alert and focused throughout the day.

— WTF fun facts

Source: “Tired or Wired” — NIH News in Health

WTF Fun Fact 13298 – A Rollercoaster Cure for Kidney Stones

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Roller coasters are known for their stomach-churning twists, turns, and drops. But did you know that these thrilling rides may have a surprising health benefit? How about a roller coaster cure for kidney stones?

Well, according to recent research, riding a roller coaster really can help people pass the stones.

Kidney stones are a real pain

Kidney stones are hard, mineral deposits that form inside the kidneys. They can be incredibly painful and cause symptoms like back or abdominal pain, nausea, and difficulty urinating.

In some cases, surgery or other medical interventions may be necessary to remove them. But for smaller stones, riding a roller coaster may be a more fun and natural solution.

The idea that roller coasters could help pass kidney stones came from a patient who reported passing a stone after riding the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad roller coaster at Disney World. Intrigued by this anecdote, urologist David Wartinger from Michigan State University set out to investigate further.

To test the theory, Wartinger and his team created a 3D-printed model of a human kidney with three small stones inside. Then they took it on several roller coaster rides. They found that the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad ride at Disneyland in Orlando, FL really was highly effective at dislodging the stones from the kidney.

After the ride, the stones were able to pass through the urinary tract more easily, reducing the need for medical intervention.

How do roller coasters help “cure” kidney stones?

Why do roller coasters have an effect on passing kidney stones? It has to do with the forces generated by the ride. During a roller coaster ride, the body experiences a range of movements, including sudden drops, sharp turns, and rapid accelerations. These movements create a force called acceleration. This acceleration can jostle kidney stones and potentially dislodge them from the kidney.

Of course, riding a roller coaster isn’t a guaranteed cure for kidney stones, so don’t buy that ticket to Disney just yet. The size, location, and type of stones can all affect whether or not a ride will be effective. Additionally, riding a roller coaster may not be practical or advisable for everyone, especially those with other health conditions or mobility issues.

We need more research to understand the effects of roller coaster rides on kidney stones completely. But for now, this serves as an interesting example of how unexpected solutions can sometimes be found in unlikely places.

—WTF fun facts

Source: “How a Roller Coaster Can Help You Pass a Kidney Stone” — Gizmodo

WTF Fun Fact 13288 – The Healing Power of Laughter

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March 19th is National Let’s Laugh Day in the United States, a day to celebrate the healing power of laughter. Laughter can reduce stress, boost the immune system, and improve overall well-being.

Science on the healing power of laughter

Laughter has some quirky effects on the body. For example:

  • Laughing increases oxygen flow to the brain. This can improve mental clarity and creativity.
  • Laughter can help relieve pain. It does this by releasing endorphins, which are natural painkillers.
  • Laughter has been shown to improve cardiovascular health. It can increase blood flow and reduce inflammation in the body.
  • Laughing can help improve relationships and social bonding. That’s because it creates positive feelings and can be contagious.
  • In some cultures, laughter is considered a form of therapy. It’s used to treat a variety of physical and mental health conditions. Laughter can even help boost the immune system.
  • Laughing can increases the production of antibodies and activate immune cells.

A day to celebrate laughing

So, how can you celebrate National Let’s Laugh Day? Here are some ideas:

  • Watch a funny movie or TV show with friends or family.
  • Attend a comedy show or open mic night.
  • Practice laughing yoga or other laughter exercises.
  • Spend time with people who make you laugh.
  • Share funny stories or jokes with friends and coworkers.

Have you heard of “laughter yoga”?

Laughter yoga is a form of exercise that combines laughter with breathing techniques and gentle physical movements. It was developed in India in the mid-1990s by Dr. Madan Kataria, a physician who wanted to promote the health benefits of laughter.

In laughter yoga, participants engage in a series of laughter exercises. These stimulate laughter and promote feelings of joy and relaxation. These exercises may involve things like clapping, chanting, and playful interactions with other participants.

The goal of laughter yoga is not to tell jokes or be funny, but rather to engage in intentional, prolonged laughter. Laughing for an extended period of time, even if it’s initially forced or fake, helps the body produce genuine laughter, which helps release tension and promote feelings of well-being.

Researchers have found that laughter yoga has a variety of health benefits, including reducing stress, boosting the immune system, improving cardiovascular health, and enhancing mood. It’s also been used as a complementary therapy for a variety of health conditions, including depression, anxiety, and chronic pain.

Remember, laughter is a powerful tool for improving your physical and mental well-being. So, go ahead and let out a good belly laugh on National Let’s Laugh Day (and every day) to reap the benefits of this simple but effective form of therapy.

— WTF fun facts

Source: “National Let’s Laugh Day” — National Days Today

WTF Fun Fact 13270 – Maggot Therapy

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Maggot therapy involves using disinfected fly larvae (maggots) to help remove damaged tissue from wounds. And while it may sound gross, it’s making a comeback in mainstream medicine.

What is maggot therapy?

Maggot therapy, also known as maggot debridement therapy (MDT), is a medical treatment that uses live maggots to clean and heal wounds in humans. Granted, it sounds like an unpleasant approach to wound care. But it actually has a long and fascinating history dating back centuries. For example, maggots were used by the Mayans and other Native Americans.

In the early 19th century, a French surgeon named Jules-Francois Germain found that maggots could clean wounds more effectively than traditional methods like cauterization. Their use could also help avoid amputation.

In and out of style

Throughout the 19th century, doctors and surgeons used the technique to treat a variety of conditions like ulcers, abscesses, and gangrene. But despite its effectiveness, maggot therapy fell out of favor in the mid-20th century. This is partly due to the development of antibiotics. Those are far easier to convince someone to take!

However, in the 1980s, antibiotic resistance became a huge problem thanks to the overuse of antibiotics. This helped revive the interest in using maggots in medicine. Scientists even developed new techniques for sterilizing and breeding maggots so they would pose less risk. This also helps patients see them as lab-created entities rather than something you’d find in a dumpster.

Today, maggot therapy is recognized as a safe and effective treatment for a variety of wounds. It’s used for treating diabetic foot ulcers, venous stasis ulcers, and pressure ulcers.

Maggots today

While still relatively rare, doctors do use maggots in hospitals today. They’re carefully applied to wounds in a special dressing so they can feed on the dead tissue and secrete enzymes to kill bacteria and promote healing. When the maggots are removed after several days, a wound is cleaned and dressed and ready to let the body take over the healing.

Maggots might sound gross, but they’re a cost-effective treatment option. They are also particularly helpful for patients who have not responded well to other forms of wound care. As a result, this therapy is gaining increasing recognition as a valuable tool in the treatment of chronic wounds.

—WTF fun facts

Source: “Entomological Medicine: How One Scientist is Working to Bring Maggot Therapy Into Wider Use” — Entomology Today

WTF Fun Fact 13269 – Eating Healthy is Hard

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On some level, eating “healthy” is pretty straightforward. We all know that fruits and vegetables are good for us and processed food is bad. And for the most part, we own our decisions, even when we don’t like the outcome. But when you dig a little deeper, eating healthy is hard – really hard. Especially since “healthy” food guidelines change and quality food options aren’t readily available or affordable to everyone.

So maybe it’s not such a surprise that 52% of Americans surveyed in the 2012 “Food & Health Survey: Consumer Attitudes toward Food Safety, Nutrition & Health” found that doing taxes seemed easier than figuring out how to eat healthily.

Why healthy eating is hard

The 2012 study is over 10 years old now, we’ll grant you that. But if anything, nutrition is even more confusing these days with new studies coming out every week to tell us that what we were told was good for us a few years ago (a glass of wine, anyone?) is not slowly killing us.

The poll was commissioned by the International Food Information Council Foundation. It was conducted during the month of April with 1,057 American subjects ages 18 to 80 who were polled online. They were asked about “their health, diet, influences on food selection, and related knowledge and beliefs.”

People showed a large amount of confusion over healthy eating in general, most of which traces to the shortcomings of the food industry. The bit about taxes comes from a specific question:

Which do you think is harder to do well?
1) Figuring out how to do your own taxes – 48%
2) Figuring out what you should and shouldn’t eat to be healthier – 52%

People who said taxes were less confusing were more likely to be men (55%), those without a college degree (56%), those whose BMI put them in the overweight or obese range (60%), and those who had heart disease or high cholesterol (59%), or high blood pressure (57%).

Other interesting findings included:
– Americans believe their physical activity and sleep have more of an impact on their health than their diet.
– Half of Americans feel that enjoying their food is more important than worrying about what’s in it.
– Only 20% weren’t trying to do anything to change their weight.
– Only about one in seven Americans correctly estimate the number of calories they need to maintain their weight.

Let’s face it, the nutrition landscape is hard to navigate!

The latest American food survey

The 2022 survey is a bit different. More consumers than ever are trying to decipher food labels. And while more consumers than ever are concerned about the environmental impact their food has, it still doesn’t always translate to eating healthier.

Food choices aren’t just about knowledge. We also make them based on availability, price, emotion, and other values.

—WTF fun facts

Source: “Americans Find Doing Their Own Taxes Simpler than Improving Diet and Health” (pdf) — Food Insight

WTF Fun Fact 13258 – The Role of Gut Bacteria

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We don’t yet know all the details of the role of gut bacteria in our minds and bodies. But research keeps suggesting that these bacteria are plentiful and influential on everything from our moods to our cravings.

What is the gut microbiome?

The gut microbiome refers to the diverse community of microorganisms that live in the human digestive tract, particularly in the large intestine. It includes:

  • bacteria
  • viruses
  • fungi
  • other microbes.

These microorganisms play a crucial role in maintaining the health of the digestive system and the body as a whole.

The gut microbiota is estimated to contain over 100 trillion microorganisms. These microorganisms perform a range of important functions. Some break down complex carbohydrates and other nutrients, producing vitamins and other essential compounds. Others help regulate the immune system and protect against harmful pathogens. The composition of the gut microbiota can vary based on diet, age, medication use, and environmental exposures.

Research has linked imbalances in the gut microbiota to a range of health problems, including obesity, diabetes, autoimmune disorders, and mental health issues.

The role of gut bacteria in eating?

There is growing evidence to suggest that gut microbiota may influence

  • our brain function and behavior
  • our mood
  • anxiety
  • cognition
  • appetite
  • food cravings and preferences

Gut bacteria are known to produce neurotransmitters and other signaling molecules that can affect appetite and food preferences. They can also influence the way that the body processes and stores nutrients.

Some types of gut bacteria have been shown to produce compounds that stimulate the release of hormones like leptin and ghrelin which control appetite. Other types of bacteria can regulate the release of appetite-regulating hormones and promote feelings of fullness and satiety.

Gut microbiota may also affect food preferences and taste perception. For example, people with a high ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes bacteria in their gut often prefer high-fat and high-sugar foods. These, in turn, contribute to weight gain and other health problems.

—WTF fun facts

Source: “Is eating behavior manipulated by the gastrointestinal microbiota? Evolutionary pressures and potential mechanisms” — Bioassays (Academic Journal)

WTF Fun Fact 13257 – Snoring and Relationships

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Snoring is bad for relationships. The damage is hard to quantify since there are many reasons for poor sleep, and a lack of sleep can lead to everything from health issues to resentment. But it seems clear that if one person snores and keeps the other awake, it frequently leads to trouble. Snoring and relationships are a terrible combination.

Why snoring is bad for relationships

There are many incorrect statistics out there (like snoring is the third leading cause of divorce – it’s not) due to people misreading scientific research. But plenty of work has been done on the damage one partner’s snoring can do to the other and the relationship overall.

For example, the Sleep Disorders Center at Rush University Medical Center conducted a study on couples in which the husband had sleep apnea that affected the wife’s ability to sleep due to snoring. They found cases in which the wife’s sleep efficiency scores decreased significantly because they were woken up by snoring up to 8 times per hour!

Rosalind Cartwright, Ph.D., founder of the Sleep Disorders Center at Rush, noted:

“Couples who struggle with sleep apnea have a high divorce rate. Our early results are showing that the wife’s sleep is indeed deprived due to the husband’s noisy nights. This is not a mild problem. The lack of sleep for both partners puts a strain on the marriage and creates a hostile and tense situation.”

The good news is that when the sleep apnea was treated, and the snoring ceased to disturb the wife’s sleep, her quality of life went up, her sleepiness went down, and the marital satisfaction score improved.

It’s important to note that while studies suggest a link between snoring and marital conflict, they do not necessarily imply causation. Snoring may be a symptom of an underlying health condition (such as sleep apnea). It’s possible that these factors, rather than the snoring itself, may be contributing to conflict. And, of course, studies may not apply to all couples.

More research is needed to fully understand the relationship between snoring and marital conflict.

The “sleep divorce”

A sleep divorce is a term that refers to the practice of couples sleeping separately to get a better night’s sleep. It can mean sleeping in different beds or different rooms.

This practice is becoming increasingly popular among couples. Some find that snoring, tossing and turning, or different sleep schedules destroy a partner’s sleep. This can lead to a variety of health problems.

There are many reasons why couples may choose to sleep separately. Snoring is among the most common since it can happen frequently and lead to daytime fatigue and irritability.

While the idea of sleeping separately may seem unromantic to some, it can actually have several benefits. Sleeping separately can lead to better sleep quality, improving mood, productivity, and overall health. It can also reduce arguments and conflicts that may arise from sleep disturbances. This can improve the overall quality of the relationship.

Of course, for some, sharing a bed may be an important part of the intimacy and connection in their relationship. Additionally, it’s important for couples to communicate openly about their sleeping arrangements and work together to find a solution that works for both partners.

—WTF fun facts

Source: “Can Snoring Ruin A Marriage?” — ScienceDaily

WTF Fun Fact 13240 – ChatGPT Medical Exam

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There’s been a lot of speculation and panic around what the AI tool ChatGPT can and can’t do and whether it’s going to replace/destroy us all. But it looks like it’s not going to be replacing doctors any time soon, even though it may be a semi-reliable source for those studying for the United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE).

Did ChatGPT pass a medical licensing exam?

In a word, no. ChatGPT did not “pass” a medical licensing exam, though there will probably be some sensational headlines to the contrary.

A study published February 9, 2023 in the open-access journal PLOS Digital Health by Tiffany Kung, Victor Tseng, and others at AnsibleHealth found that:

“ChatGPT can score at or around the approximately 60 percent passing threshold for the United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE), with responses that make coherent, internal sense and contain frequent insights…”

In other words, ChatGPT can generate human-like responses to certain types of questions on the exam.

According to a press release about the study:

“Kung and colleagues tested ChatGPT’s performance on the USMLE, a highly standardized and regulated series of three exams (Steps 1, 2CK, and 3) required for medical licensure in the United States. Taken by medical students and physicians-in-training, the USMLE assesses knowledge spanning most medical disciplines, ranging from biochemistry, to diagnostic reasoning, to bioethics.”

However, they had to remove all image-based questions, so the AI could only attempt 350 of the 376 questions (that are available for public viewing) that appeared on the June 2022 exam.

How well did AI do on the medical exam?

There’s a joke people tell that goes a little something like this:
What do you call the person who graduates first in their medical class?
Answer: Doctor.
What do you call the person who graduates last in their medical class?
Answer: Doctor.

In other words, you’re never going to know if your doctor aced their exam or barely passed.

But if ChatGPT is your doctor, you will know it’s incapable of doing really well on the exam (though in some cases, it did pass). After the researchers removed all “indeterminate responses,” “ChatGPT scored between 52.4% and 75.0% across the three USMLE exams. The passing threshold each year is approximately 60%.”

It was good at producing novel and clinically significant insights the vast majority of the time, however. But if you can’t pass, that doesn’t really mean much.

What’s also interesting is that “ChatGPT exceeded the performance of PubMedGPT, a counterpart model trained exclusively on biomedical domain literature, which scored 50.8% on an older dataset of USMLE-style questions.”

But all that means is that ChatGPT is a really good AI language model. It doesn’t mean it’ll be replacing your doctor any time soon. And since it’s not always good at producing correct information, you may not want to use it to get medical advice.

What ChatGPT can be used for is helping to distill jargon-heavy medical writing into language that non-experts can understand. So if there’s a scientific study you’d like to know more about, you can plug that into ChatGPT and get a fairly reliable summary. — WTF fun facts

Source: “ChatGPT can (almost) pass the US Medical Licensing Exam” — EurekAlert

WTF Fun Fact 13239 – Indoor Air is More Polluted

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More and more people are worried about air quality. But hiding indoors doesn’t appear to be an option for some people if their indoor air is more polluted. And that appears to be the case for a lot of people.

How can you know if your indoor air is more polluted than outdoors?

You can typically get readings for outdoor air quality with the weather report these days. Air pollution can come from natural sources like pollen or unnatural sources like factories, cars, and other machinery.

Testing your indoor air is another matter. But there are a few ways to get a clue about your indoor air quality. For example, if you experience frequent allergies or asthma indoors, you may have compromised air quality. If you can see or smell mold, mildew, or chemicals from cleaning supplies, your air is compromised.

If you walk into your home and experience irritation of the nose, eyes, or throat, experience skin rashes even when staying home for extended periods, or tend to experience dry skin, unexplained coughing, fatigue, dizziness, or headaches, it may be time to check your indoor air quality. (Of course, these can be symptoms of other issues as well.)

Sources of “bad air”

Indoor air pollution can come from some unlikely places. Obviously, bad air can seep into your home from outside or be tracked in on your clothing, hands, or shoes.

Other sources of indoor air pollution are:

  • Consumer products (like TVs, furniture, or things made of plastic) that tend to emit the chemicals Polybrominated biphenyl (PBB) or Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB).
  • Wood cleaners or sealants and mattresses that contain polyurethane.
  • Carpeting, plywood, and upholstery that can emit formaldehyde.
  • Cigarette smoke.
  • Mold and mildew growing in damp areas of your home.
  • Scent diffusers and candles.
  • Pesticide residue or pollen from your shoes.
  • Dust mites and roach droppings.
  • Fireplaces that emit combustion byproducts such as carbon monoxide.
  • Pets (And there is no such thing as a hypoallergenic, dander-free pet!)

The list goes on, but these are major sources that can sometimes be remediated with air purifiers. If your house has poor ventilation, you may feel the effects of indoor air pollutants more acutely.

Getting rid of your floors and furniture certainly isn’t an option for most people. However, you can prohibit smoking indoors and cut down on your use of chemical cleaners. This is especially important if someone in your home has asthma or allergies. — WTF fun facts

Source: “Indoor Air Quality” — Environmental Protection Agency

WTF Fun Fact 13237 – A Vibrating Pill for Constipation

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Constipation is common, but one company has come up with an uncommon solution for it – a vibrating pill for constipation. The pill is called Vibrant.

Vibrant – the vibrating pill for constipation

Don’t like the thought of taking pharmaceuticals for your constipation? No worries – there are no active ingredients in this little pill.

The vibrating pill is designed to stimulate the muscles in the digestive tract to help move stool through the intestines, promoting regular bowel movements and relieving constipation symptoms. The product is marketed by Vibrant Gastro and the information is available on their press releases and news section of their website.

According to HealthNews (cited below), the pill was announced on February 8, 2022. It was cleared by the FDA (which is different from approval, which means the pill is similar to an already-marketed device.

How does it work?

According to Vibrant’s press release:

“The idea behind the treatment is that a single vibrant pill is taken around bedtime every day. It then travels the same route as food does, through the stomach and small intestine, finally reaching the large intestine about 14 hours later. Then, it goes to work.

The pills stimulate specialized nerve cells in the gut called mechanosensory cells. These help trigger peristalsis, the undulating muscle contractions that help squeeze food through the gut.“

The vibrations run for three seconds, then stop for three seconds. Before swallowing the pill, it must be activated in a small pod. The pill is then active for two hours, then off for six hours before activating again for two hours.

The idea is that you will eventually poop them out and they will clean out and loosen stool along the way. They are not considered a cure, but a maintenance treatment that people with constipation would take regularly. Each pill gets flushed, so treatment requires a new pill each time (thankfully!).

Constipation is generally defined as having fewer than three bowel movements in a week and affects 10 to 20% of Americans.

In the clinical trial, only a small number of participants could feel the pill vibrating. 40% of those taking Vibrant reported having at least one extra bowel movement a week and felt they were able to more completely empty their bowels. Only 23% of those in the placebo group reported an extra bowel movement.

23% of the participants given Vibrant reported two or more additional bowel movements a week.

That’s progress! — WTF fun facts

Source: “Drug-Free Vibrating Pill for Constipation Now Available by Prescription” — HealthNews

WTF Fun Fact 13236 – Health Benefits of Holding Hands

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Studies have shown the health benefits of holding hands with someone you love. This can reduce stress and anxiety. That’s because the physical act of holding hands releases oxytocin, a hormone associated with feelings of love, trust, and comfort.

The other health benefits of holding hands

In addition, holding hands with someone you love can also lower blood pressure and reduce physical pain, making it an effective way to promote overall well-being and improve mental and physical health.

Holding hands can also boost self-esteem and confidence, making it a helpful tool for managing feelings of insecurity or low self-worth. It can even encourage communication, which helps to facilitate deeper connections and understanding between individuals.

Studies have also shown that holding hands can help to improve memory recall and enhance cognitive function.

Oxytocin: The “love drug”

Oxytocin is often referred to as the “love hormone” for its positive effects on physical and mental health. For example, studies have shown that the release of oxytocin can help to lower blood pressure. This, in turn, can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke.

It can also have pain-relieving effects that can help treat a variety of painful conditions like migraines, menstrual cramps, and arthritis.

The “love hormone” is also a mood booster. Oxytocin can reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety in some people.

Finally, doing things that release oxytocin can help you strengthen your relationships. It helps promote feelings of love, trust, and comfort. This helps you form both personal and social bonds with those around you.

Reach out and touch…

There are many studies that demonstrate the cognitive benefits of touch. Yet it’s a sense that we don’t fully appreciate. Nevertheless, it helps us form both bonds and memories.

So, next time you’re feeling stressed or anxious, try reaching for your loved one’s hand. — WTF fun facts

Source: “Holding Hands May Reduce Stress” — WebMD

WTF Fun Fact 13235 – Pacemaker Recycling

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All kinds of people from all walks of life can develop heart disease and need a pacemaker. But not everyone can afford them. That’s why pacemaker recycling projects are popping up around the country to ensure that people of all incomes can have access to this life-saving technology. As a bonus, they also help the environment.

What’s the point of pacemaker recycling?

The main goal of pacemaker recycling is to reduce waste and conserve natural resources, as well as to provide access to medical devices for individuals who may not otherwise have access to them.

Pacemakers are small, implantable devices that are used to regulate the heartbeat of people with heart conditions. They are typically made from a combination of metal and plastic components and can be expensive to produce.

When a pacemaker is no longer needed, it can be difficult to dispose of properly. That’s because the materials used to make the device are not biodegradable and can pose environmental and health risks.

Pacemaker recycling helps to mitigate these risks by collecting used pacemakers and other medical devices. Then, they’re refurbished for reuse or broken down into their component parts for recycling. This reduces waste and conserves natural resources. It also provides access to medical devices for individuals who may not otherwise have access to them.

Do people use these recycled items?

Yes, absolutely. And they’re life-saving.

In many developing countries, access to medical devices, including pacemakers, can be limited due to high costs and a lack of infrastructure. Pacemaker recycling programs can help to address these challenges by providing refurbished medical devices to patients who need them, at a fraction of the cost of a new device.

This can improve access to medical care for individuals who may not otherwise have access to it, and can help to improve health outcomes for patients who require these medical devices.

Pacemaker recycling programs are becoming increasingly common in the US.
Recycled pacemakers are refurbished to ensure that they meet the same safety and quality standards as new devices. Then, they’re made available at a significantly lower cost than a new pacemaker.

Recycled pacemakers are subject to the same regulations and standards as new pacemakers. That means they must be thoroughly tested and evaluated before they are made available for use to make sure they’re just as safe and effective as new devices.

If you or a loved one have a pacemaker, you can even make arrangements for it to be recycled after your death. Check out Project My Heart Your Heart below for an example. — WTF fun facts

Source: “Recycle your pacemakers!” — Project My Heart Your Heart

WTF Fun Fact 13216 – There’s Enough Iron in the Body to Make a Nail

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The average human body contains enough iron to make a 3-inch nail.Well, a healthy body anyway. Some of us probably don’t get enough iron.

Is there really enough iron in the body to make a nail?

Humans require iron for many essential bodily functions. Iron is an essential mineral that helps transport oxygen throughout the body and is found in many foods such as red meat, poultry, fish, and beans. It is also found in food additives and dietary supplements, and is added to infant formula as well.

It’s important to note that iron deficiency is a common problem and can lead to anemia, fatigue, and impaired cognitive functioning. The World Health Organization recommends that people consume 10-20 milligrams of iron per day to maintain optimal health.

The average male body contains approximately 4.5 grams of iron, while the average female body contains approximately 3.5 grams. This means that the total amount of iron found in the human body is enough to make a 3-inch nail. Note: nails generally weigh between 2 to 3 grams.

Of course, no one is going to siphon the iron of your body and smelt it into a nail – hopefully.

What’s the significance of this concept?

Nails are often used as a metaphor for hard work. In that sense, it’s no surprise that the idea of making a 3-inch nail from the iron in the human body is a concept that fascinates people.

Iron can also be used to represent the ability to persevere and overcome difficult challenges. It conjures up images of fortitude and determination, courage, ad the will to succeed. Additionally, iron can also be used as a metaphor for protection. often a symbol of armor or a shield.

The metaphor of making a 3-inch nail from the iron stored in the body also speaks to our strength and resilience of the human body. It emphasizes the importance of how the iron in our bodies is used to help us do hard work.

—WTF fun facts

Source: “There Is Enough of This Metal in the Body To Make a Nail” — Soma Blog

WTF Fun Fact 13201 – The Power of Looking at Cute Animals

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Have you ever fallen down the rabbit hole (no pun intended) of looking at cute animals on the internet or social media? It’s hard to look away!

Well, it turns out, looking at them could be good for you.

There is evidence to suggest that your cute cat meme fixation can boost both focus and concentration. Studies have also found that looking at pictures of baby animals can improve attention and task performance.

The benefits of looking at cute animals

There is some evidence to suggest that looking at cute animals can boost both focus and concentration.

Researchers published a study in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. It found that looking at pictures of baby animals can improve attention and task performance. In fact, participants who viewed images of cute animals performed better on tasks requiring attention and fine motor skills. At least compared to those who viewed images of adult animals or inanimate objects.

Another study conducted by researchers at Hiroshima University in Japan found that looking at pictures of cute animals can increase activity in the brain’s prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for attention, problem-solving, and decision-making.

According to the Association for Psychological Science (cited below), “Led by researcher Hiroshi Nittono, the team conducted three experiments with 132 university students and concluded that cute images may facilitate improved performance on detail-oriented tasks that require concentration.”

We’ve long known that humans are attracted to looking at things that look juvenile. “Baby schema” includes things like a large head and protruding, large eyes – and they just seem “cuter” to us. Baby humans and baby animals often have these characteristics.

But now there’s proof that cute things might make our brains operate a bit better. Nittono and colleagues wrote in their paper:

“This study shows that viewing cute things improves subsequent performance in tasks that require behavioral carefulness, possibly by narrowing the breadth of attentional focus.”

Puppy power

Additionally, looking at cute animals can also release oxytocin, a hormone that is associated with feelings of love and bonding, which can lead to increased feelings of positive emotion and well-being.

It’s worth noting that these studies are still in the early stages, and more research is needed to understand the full extent of the effects of looking at cute animals on focus and concentration.

Of course, looking at cute animals is great and all, but is not a replacement for getting professional help if you have serious attention and focus issues.

—WTF fun facts

Source: “The Power of Puppies: Looking at Cute Images Can Improve Focus” — Association for Psychological Science

WTF Fun Fact 13193 – The Office CPR Scene Saved a Life

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Cross Scott was a 21-year-old fan of The Office living in Arizona when he saved a man’s life using CPR. But Scott was never trained in the maneuver. Instead, he learned it from watching “The Office” CPR scene.

What is The Office CPR scene?

In the episode of the NBC comedy starring Steven Carrell, main character Michael Scott instructs employees to do chest compressions to the tune of “Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees.

According to Rolling Stone’s coverage (cited below), Cross Scott actually sang the song while he was performing the life-saving chest compressions. Ironically, in the CPR television scene, Scott also gives a lot of questionable advice.

Saving a life

Cross Scott drew on his television CPR skills when he found a woman unconscious behind the wheel of a car rolling down a dirt pull-off road in 2019. He is an auto care technician and managed to break the window of the woman’s car with a rock to free her. Then he noticed she didn’t have a pulse.

Most of us wouldn’t know what to do in that situation, but professionals have advised people not to be afraid to do chest compressions on someone who has no pulse. Otherwise, the person will likely die if no help is around.

It took paramedics 10 minutes to arrive at the scene, but Scott had already performed chest compressions successfully enough for her to start breathing again (and throw up). The woman survived and was released from the hospital the same day.

Scott recalled “I’ve never prepared myself for CPR in my life. I had no idea what I was doing.” But it turns out he knew more than he realized thanks to The Office. “Stayin’ Alive” is the correct rhythm for chest compressions. —WTF fun facts

Source: “Arizona Man Who Learned CPR From ‘The Office’ Saves Woman’s Life” — Rolling Stone

WTF Fun Fact 13189 – I Hate Elvis Badges

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Meme sites and Reddit boards have long shared a tidbit of Elvis’s history that people find hard to believe. Elvis Presley’s manager once sold “I Hate Elvis” badges so he could make money off of people who hated The King just as he did with fans. And it appears to be true.

Selling I Hate Elvis badges

Presley’s manager, Colonel Tom Parker was quite the marketing genius. He was also excellent at making himself money in any way possible. Many of Elvis’s early music and performance deals paid Parker half of the money.

By the end of 1956, Elvis’s merchandise was bringing in $22 million! For this, Parker got 25% of the profits. But it was a little reverse psychology that made him even more money.

Not everyone loved Elvis. And we all know that when something or someone is super popular, people take great pride in outwardly hating it to somehow set themselves apart from the “masses.” (Not to mention that older generations saw Elvis as a corrupting influence.)

As a result, Colonel Parker decided to make both sides happy and created “I Hate Elvis” badges for non-fans. That way he could make money off of the other side too. (Too bad he didn’t come up with an “I feel ambivalent about Elvis” badge – he could have covered all his bases.)

In a book titled Colonel (The True Story of Colonel Tom Parker and Elvis Presley), author Alanna Nash mentions the badges. She states:

“Parker, who tied on a vendor’s apron to peddle both I LOVE ELVIS and I HATE ELVIS buttons to folks who reacted strongly one way or another, didn’t care what the newsmen said as long as they said it — and paid their own admission to the shows.”

All press is good press if you’re making money off of it, apparently! You can still find vintage “I hate Elvis” buttons online. — WTF fun facts

Source: “Did Elvis Presley’s Manager Sell ‘I Hate Elvis’ Buttons to Profit From ‘Haters’?” — Truth or Fiction

WTF Fun Fact 13186 – Medical Term for Ice Cream Headache

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Eating ice cream too fast can hurt! In fact, so many people have experienced the phenomenon of these headaches (also called “brain freeze”) that there’s an official name for them. The medical term for ice cream headache is sphenopalatine ganglioneuralgia.

Why is there a medical term for ice cream headache?

The world loves ice cream. And sometimes we eat it too fast either because 1) it’s so delicious, or 2) we need to eat it before it melts. But we pay the price.

But what we sometimes call an ice cream headache is also referred to as “brain freeze” and can happen without the delicious ice cream.

According to the Cleveland Clinic (cited below), “Brain freeze is a brief but intense pain in the front part of your head. It occurs when you eat, drink or breathe something extremely cold…” So it can include breathing in freezing air as well as eating slushies, ice cubes, popsicles, etc.

While we have lots of colloquial names for the pain, the scientific/medical term for ice cream headache is sphenopalatine ganglioneuralgia.

Who is at risk for getting ice cream headaches?

Anyone can get a brain freeze. Children may be more likely to get brain freeze because they may not have learned to slow down when eating something fun like an ice pop.

Some research has shown that sphenopalatine ganglioneuralgia is more common in people who get migraine headaches.

What is sphenopalatine ganglioneuralgia?

An ice cream headache comes on quickly, but it also goes away relatively fast. It’s often gone in a few minutes, tops, and doesn’t need to be treated with medicine.

Brain freeze doesn’t cause other symptoms either – no nausea or sensitivity to light, for example. It’s just temporary pain that occurs “When your body senses sudden, extreme cold in the mouth or throat” and “tries to react and warm up.”

The headache sets in as “Blood vessels throughout the head expand to let extra blood into the area for warmth. That quick change in blood vessel size causes sudden pain.”

Of course, you can prevent the pain caused by doing that thing by avoiding that thing. But who wants to avoid ice cream and other cold treats? Instead, try warming up your mouth and throat by drinking room-temperature water or pressing your tongue against the roof of your mouth. Or just slow down on the ice cream. — WTF fun facts

Source: “Brain Freeze” — Cleveland Clinic