Skeptics Stack Exchange
Skeptics Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [physiology]

Human physiology is the science of the mechanical, physical, and biochemical functions of humans in good health, their organs, and the cells of which they are composed. The principal level of focus of physiology is at the level of organs and systems within systems.

Human physiology is the science of the mechanical, physical, and biochemical functions of humans in good health, their organs, and the cells of which they are composed. The principal level of focus of physiology is at the level of organs and systems within systems.

Physiology is closely related to anatomy; anatomy is the study of form, and physiology is the study of function. Due to the frequent connection between form and function physiology and anatomy are intrinsically linked and are studied in tandem as part of a medical curriculum.

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Do people carry around up to 20 lbs (9 kg) of poop?

The claim from this site: It’s been said that the average American carries around between 5-20 extra pounds of poop in their intestines. It's hard to believe it's true. Is there a medical evidence that proves this claim? Losing 20 lbs (9 kg) by…
Grasper
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If one man is shot in the head while holding a gun to another man, can the former get a shot off on the latter?

In the movies, the following situation is routine: One man is hunting down another. Upon locating him, the hunter points his firearm at the hunted's head at close range. At this very moment, an ally of the man being hunted comes out of nowhere, and…
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Are all the atoms in our bodies replaced on a regular basis?

In a related question, Are all cells of the human body completely replaced every seven to ten years?, it is explained that there are cells in the human body, like neurons, that are never replaced. However, are the atoms within those neurons…
endolith
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Does the brain use more energy during mental work?

There is the idea that mental work is tiring. Does the brain as a whole need to consume more glucose and oxygen when we are "mentally active"?
Christian
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Is Shaolin monk Hu Qiong using "Chi energy" to withstand an electric drill?

In one of the episodes of Stan Lee's Superhumans (the excerpt in question can be viewed here) a Shaolin monk named Hu Qiong claims that by training his body and "transfering Chi to the right part of the body" he can make his body so tough that it is…
MMM
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Do you use only 14 muscles to smile but 43 to frown?

I have heard this claim many times You use 14 muscles to smile and 43 to frown But I have never seen any actual proof of this and always assumed it was just one of those midwest folksy sayings. Is there any truth too it?
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Do either men or women have higher pain tolerance than the other?

Traditional folklore suggests women have a higher pain tolerance than men. I have seen a few sites suggesting otherwise. Naturally, plenty of anecdotal accounts of wussy men or women get tossed around whenever the subject is brought up which makes…
MrHen
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Does drinking alcohol dehydrate you?

I've often thought that it doesn't and that this was just a myth, and this BBC article backs me up: but [water] can be contained in food, alcohol or caffeinated beverages. Yes, beer and coffee do not dehydrate you to any noticeable extent (there's…
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Do headless chickens run around?

It's a clichè that is constantly repeated by the likes of Gordon Ramsey: You are running around like headless chickens! source Also, for example, they do in South Park animations Do headless chicken run around? After all, why wouldn't they…
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Does blood type affect what type of food is best for you?

I remember that, a few years ago, my parents were told that different blood types need to eat differently. From a quick look online, it seems to be called "Eat Right For Your Type." It claimed that, depending on what your blood type is, some food…
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Do non-FDA approved "male enhancement" pills work?

The airwaves and Internet are full of advertisements for "male enhancement" products: magic pills "guaranteed" to enlarge your penis and increase your sex drive. For example, ExtenZe, perhaps the most commonly advertised product of this nature,…
Patches
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Do women who live together get synchronized menstrual cycles?

I found a Wikipedia article on Menstrual synchrony, which claims: Menstrual synchrony, also known as the McClintock Effect, or the Wellesley Effect [1] is a phenomenon reported in 1971 wherein the menstrual cycles of women who lived together (such…
David Tarandek
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Is there a point of no return when starving to death?

I was looking at this image on Wikipedia of two children during the Russian famine of 1921-1922. The caption reads (my translation): Famine in Russia. III. The two stages of hunger: the skeletal limbs, the swollen belly (by grass, straw, tree…
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Does electricity grab?

It is said that if someone accidentally touches a powerful electric source, they get stuck to it and often die due to the same effect. Is it true, or it is just a perception of the affected person?
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Does defecating while sitting cause more strain than squatting?

This commercial1 from "Squatty Potty" claims that evacuating stool in a seated position is suboptimal for humans because we have a muscle that partially pinches the colon when seated. They claim that, due to our evolution, the colon only becomes…
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