Science Versus Myth

Are vampires real? What is an out-of-body experience? Are crop circles proof that aliens exist? HowStuffWorks explores what is real and what is urban legend with this collection of Science Versus Myth articles.

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You might have heard someone say they were getting messages from their spirit guides. But who are these beings, really? Are they angels, ancestors or something else entirely?

By HowStuffWorks

Ever get the sense that someone is staring at you, only to turn around and find out you're right? That might be your psychic powers at work. While mainstream science doesn’t fully endorse the idea, cultures around the world have explored these abilities for centuries.

By HowStuffWorks

You want a life partner, not a project. The good news? Learning how to manifest love doesn’t mean casting a spell or forcing a particular person into your life. It means aligning your thoughts, beliefs and actions to attract the kind of relationship that feels right, real and deeply connected.

By HowStuffWorks

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Manifestation isn’t just about wishful thinking. At its core, it’s about setting a clear intention and aligning your thoughts, emotions and actions with that goal.

By HowStuffWorks

The idea that you can attract a specific person into your life through thought alone might sound like a radical concept. But for many people, learning how to manifest someone is about focus, confidence and intentionality—not magic.

By HowStuffWorks

Mood ring color meanings reflect emotions through changing hues. Learn how colors like blue, green, and red reveal your emotional state and inner feelings.

By HowStuffWorks

Lurking along Bray Road in rural Wisconsin, a mysterious creature has left locals whispering and skeptics scratching their heads. Dubbed the Beast of Bray Road, it’s part urban legend, part roadside terror and all Wisconsin weirdness.

By Grant Virellan

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In Haitian folklore, few figures spark more curiosity than the lougawou. Often described as a werewolf-like creature, the lougawou comes from a mix of African mythology, colonial history and Haitian Vodou.

By Grant Virellan

Deep within the mountainous forests of Sumatra, locals speak of the orang pendek — a hairy creature walking upright on two legs, blending the traits of both humans and other primates. Described as a short person or hobbit like creature, this elusive figure may be Indonesia’s answer to Bigfoot or the Yeti.

By Grant Virellan

In the moonlit borderlands of northern Mexico and South Texas, one eerie tale flaps its wings across generations: the legend of La Lechuza. Locals say it’s a giant owl, but others say this bird is no ordinary animal; it’s a witch in disguise.

By Grant Virellan

If you've ever tromped through the steamy backwoods of Florida, you may have heard the squishy steps of something curious just beyond the trees.

By Grant Virellan

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When it comes to Filipino folklore, few figures stir the imagination — or the fear factor — quite like the aswang. This mythical creature isn't just one thing; it's a category of terrifying, shape-shifting beings with a taste for human flesh and a knack for haunting bedtime stories across the Philippines.

By Grant Virellan

If you're into quirky cryptids and bizarre folklore, allow us to introduce the squonk cryptid, a creature as sad as it is strange. This legendary animal hails from the hemlock forests of Pennsylvania and belongs to a curious category of folklore known as fearsome creatures or fearsome critters.

By Grant Virellan

Sounding like something out of a sci-fi novel, the Pacific Northwest tree octopus has made its way into the hearts of internet users, educators and even conservation enthusiasts for years.

By Grant Virellan

In the dark waters off the Baja California Peninsula, whispers of a massive, shadowy predator have given rise to the legend of the black demon shark. Known locally as El Demonio Negro, this alleged predatory shark has sparked both fear and fascination among local fishermen, ocean lovers and shark enthusiasts.

By Nico Avelle

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When people talk about legendary creatures, the Dogman cryptid doesn't always top the list, but in Michigan, it's practically canon.

By Grant Virellan

"Decode the profound messages of 234 angel number. Unveil its spiritual significance in guidance, harmony, and divine alignment

By HSW

Unlock the mysteries of the 311 angel number! This unique sequence carries a special message from your angels. Find out what it means for your relationships, career, and spiritual growth.

By HSW

Solomon Island Giants: Are they ancient myths or a hidden piece of human evolution? Stories of the Solomon Island Giants have been passed down for generations among Solomon Islanders, describing enormous, human-like creatures lurking in the dense rainforests. These mysterious creatures have captured the imagination of locals and researchers alike, fueling debates about their existence.

By Grant Virellan

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If you aren't from Rhinelander, Wisconson, where the Hodag is its official symbol, you might have heard of this mythical creature from "Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated" or J.K. Rowling's book "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them."

By Ada Tseng

The Yowie animal is a towering, hairy cryptid, often called Australian Bigfoot, and the debate over its existence has been raging for centuries. Reports of the yowie have sparked everything from Aboriginal legends to alleged sightings across the eastern Australian states.

By Mitch Ryan

Drop bears are one of the most fearsome creatures in the Outback. At least, that’s what some would have you believe. The Canberra Times once warned that drop bears in Australia might be lurking in the bush, just waiting for an unsuspecting victim to pass beneath their trees.

By Mitch Ryan

The not deer is a creature that looks like a normal deer but just ... isn’t.

By Yara Simón

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Is the Bloop real? This mysterious underwater sound recorded in the Pacific Ocean in 1997 was so loud that underwater microphones detected it from over 3,000 miles away.

By Mitch Ryan

The moon-eyed people legend describes a mysterious race of pale-skinned, blue-eyed people who supposedly lived in the Appalachian region before the Cherokee arrived. According to Cherokee legend, these people could not see well in daylight, forcing them to live in caves and only come out at night.

By Mitch Ryan