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.
Learn More
Quiz: Test Your Knowledge of These Debunked Conspiracy Theories
Is the world run by the Illuminati or just some reptilian overlords? Were the moon landings faked? Whether or not you believe this kind of stuff, you'll be entertained by our conspiracy theory quiz.
Was Lyme Disease Created as a Bioweapon?
Maybe it's mistrust of the U.S. government and health-related industries, as well as Lyme's insidious nature, that makes this idea catnip for conspiracy theories. But what's the truth?
What's the Fascination With Number 23?
From plane crashes and deaths to sports superstitions and hexagrams, many people believe that the number 23 possesses magical properties.
What Is a 'Smocking Gun'?
Is 'smocking gun' the new covfefe?
What if You Were on an Elevator and the Cable Broke?
Ever seen a movie where the hero gets in an elevator, but the evil villain cuts the cables? Fortunately, elevators in the real world have so many safety features that you don't have to worry about dying if this happened to you.
Is the Universe Just a Simulation?
Some scientists say it's possible we're all just part of a computer simulation controlled by a superior set of beings. But how would we know?
How to Upgrade Your Shower, James Bond Style
Whether you call it a contrast shower, a Scottish shower or a James Bond shower, it's guaranteed to wake you up. Here's why people are trying it.
Switching Shampoos: Necessary or Nah?
You've heard this bit of hair care advice before, but is it true?
Do Fire-breathing Dragons Torch Their Teeth?
Fire will turn a human's teeth to dust. But what about a dragon's?
How Do You Become a Ufologist?
If you're considering a hobby or career as a "ufologist" or paranormal investigator, there are a handful of routes that don't involve being personally abducted or applying to a secret government shadow agency.
Is There a Hidden Cure for Cancer?
A surprising percentage of Americans believe that Big Pharma is hiding the cure for cancer because there's a lot of money to be made treating the disease. Experts explain why this isn't true.
Are Creatures Living Among Us in Parallel Dimensions?
We've yet to find intelligent life outside of planet Earth. But instead of space, should we be looking right here but in other dimensions?
Does Marie Antoinette Still Roam the Halls of Versailles?
Tourists may not be the only ones to enjoy the beauty of the famous palace.
If Unicorns Were Real, What Would They Use Their Horns For?
Would they be a mating display? A fierce weapon to defend against lions?
Drones Discover 'New' Ancient Nazca Lines
Previously undiscovered geoglyphs found in Peru were invisible from the ground and too faint and sprawling to be picked up by space satellites. But not drones.
What's Going on With Detroit's Mysterious Zug Island?
A disturbing noise, somewhere between a window-rattling bass and a brain-numbing deep thrum has bugged the heck out of residents in the city of Windsor, Ontario, Canada for years, and it's called the Windsor Hum.
Sound the Alarm: Windsor Hum Is Driving Canadians Crazy
Since 2010, some Windsor, Ontario residents have reporting a low-frequency hum that will not go away. Is this a real sound, and if so, why can't anyone locate its source?
No One Knows What Caused a Massive 1908 Explosion in Siberia
Theories surrounding the source of the Tunguska blast that rocked the Siberian region in 1908 abound. But the exact cause is still a mystery.
Why Conspiracy Theorists Are Obsessed With CERN
CERN's work has been groundbreaking to say the least, but conspiracy theories run rampant about the potential disasters it could cause, too.
Are 'Ghost Lights' Apparitions of the Dead — or Even Aliens?
There's no doubt people are seeing lights. But are they really spirits of ghosts — or even aliens — or can these unusual lights be clarified with a simple explanation?
Are Abnormal Archaeological Finds Proof of Extraterrestrial Life?
Are strange skeletons unearthed across the globe evidence that we're not alone, or are they simply more myths and legends that are bound to be debunked?
What Are Skyquakes?
These booming sounds are part of a mysterious phenomenon that's occurred for years around the U.S. and elsewhere in the world.
Are the Yeti Just a Bunch of Bears? Genetics Says "Yes."
Some of us really hope the yeti is a giant snow ape, but new research finds it's just bears out there in the Himalayas.
What Are the Mysterious Marfa Lights?
Theories about the ghostly lights abound. Conclusions are harder to come by.
Why Do We Keep Turning Our Monsters Cute?
The original King of Monsters has become cute. How does that happen?
The Latest
Before Earhart, There Was Aviation Trailblazer Bessica Raiche
October 18, 2019
When Presidential Approval Ratings Really Matter
October 18, 2019
Sea Urchins Are the Edible Pincushions of the Ocean
October 18, 2019