Myth 1: Only 10% of your brain is functioning

False . "Lucy" or "Limitless", many films have surfed on this received idea, it remains nonetheless totally false. And we have the proof in pictures! MRI reveals that the different areas of the cerebral cortex are all involved at one time or another in the functioning of our brain. Proof that we use all his abilities.

Myth 2: The more you tear off your white hair, the more they push back

False . The first white hair often sounds a general panic! Either we pretend to ignore them, or we tear them up energetically. But do not panic, there is no risk of having more who push back with option 2. A follicle = a hair. If you tear off a white hair, only one other white hair will grow back from the same follicle. It's maths, nothing more.

Myth 3: Sucking his thumb distorts the palate

True . Junior sucks his thumb to calm his anxieties and we prefer that rather than listen to him chouiner? Too bad, it's not the best strategy. Doctors and dentists denounce the danger of distortion of the palate and jaw. Two studies of more than 400 children each revealed that a long period of thumb sucking could increase the risk of palate deformity. Opt for the pacifier? Supposed to be safe, it often falls to the ground and can be easily contaminated. As a bonus, it forces the child to suck more vigorously and continuously what is not great for the palate. For children who suck their thumb past 2-3 years (the age acceptable from a "health" point of view), we will have to be inventive because there is no quick fix.

Myth 4: Against motion sickness, you must have an empty stomach

False. Caused by the unusual stimulation of the inner ear that manages our balance, motion sickness is manifested by yawning, headaches, sudden paleness, sweating ... to vomiting. It's the nightmare of going on vacation! Skip the meal so that there is nothing left to expel? A very bad idea. Vomiting still takes place and becomes acidic and painful. A banana, some slow carbohydrates and a little ginger essential oil and it's better. For children (but also adults), we try the cocculine, a high-performance homepathic medicine.

Myth 5: Some skins attract more mosquitoes

True . But contrary to another received idea, it is not the 'sweet' blood, that of diabetics in particular, which loves the pests. It's the smell of our sweat that attracts them , especially pregnant women or beer drinkers. They are also able to detect carbon dioxide (= respiration = mammal). It's the heat that activates the mosquito's odor sensors. Good to know: the mosquito is indifferent to light ... but not to the movements of his prey he prefers inanimate, drowsy.

Myth 6: Waking a sleepwalker is dangerous

False. In reality, few sleepwalkers walk on the rooftops. 15 to 40% of children between 7 and 12 years old had an episode of sleepwalking, but only 1 to 6% have multiple bouts per month and are therefore truly sleepwalking . Should we wake them up? It has long been thought not because some, for whom it is difficult to go suddenly from the phase of sleep to that of awakening, react violently. But in case of endangerment for themselves do not hesitate to bring them gently to the conscience.

Myth 7: Cracking his fingers gives osteoarthritis

False. Who has never lost patience by listening to the unpleasant noise caused by a finger crunch or a phalanx stretch? Between each joint is a fluid that lubricates them. It fills with air bubbles that explode when you crack his fingers ... and reform after about twenty minutes. Do fans of finger crunches have more osteoarthritis than others? Not at all ! It was a doctor who demonstrated it by cracking the fingers of his left hand twice a day for 50 years. At the end of the day, there was nothing to differentiate his left hand from his right hand!

Myth 8: The more a mattress is firm, the better it is for the back

False. Everyone has to find the mattress that suits them best, depending on their morphology and weight. A study of more than 300 adults with lower back pain found that pain was reduced in those who slept on a firm mattress but not in those who slept on a firm mattress. And if the solution to sleep better was simply to change the mattress more regularly. If you keep it for about 13 years, specialists recommend changing after 10 years

Myth 9: Light drinks are better for health

False. Light drinks are less caloric than conventional drinks. On the other hand, they contain sweeteners, often aspartame, the effects of which are very controversial. A recent study funded by the European Commission on the short- and long-term effects of consuming light-weight products shows that consumers tend to lower the nutritional value of products and consume more than non-lean products. In many cases, this results in weight gain.

Myth 10: The mosquito can transmit AIDS

False . It's mathematical. The mosquito's trunk has 2 channels. One to inject his stinging bag, the other to suck the blood. Since the mosquito never injects blood and the AIDS viral agent is destroyed in the stomach of the mosquito, the risk of contamination is zero.

For more information: As long as we have the health of Pr Jacques Belghiti and Annette Vezin. Editions fayard. 19 €.