The best thing about science is that it would promptly admit whenever is wrong. Some theories are being frequently proven wrong. New research outdated old, widely believed ideas. Sometimes they are rendered incomplete, and sometimes they are out rightly rejected. However, this constant process does not hinder the discoveries of new ideas.

Science is considered the most rigorous process that involves detailed procedures, yet it does not mean that theories do not get refuted. Sometimes, a hoax would be deliberately perpetrated to fool the scientific community. There are several old scientific facts proven wrong. Science takes care of all of them – in the due course of time.

Below, you will find some critical scientific discoveries that were proven wrong because they were dependent on data which was it questionable. It is also crucial to understand that most of these discoveries may not have been entirely wrong in the strict sense of the word. Some of them have been simply replaced by other versions of the same theories that are more comprehensive and understandable. Check out these 10 old scientific facts proven wrong:

10. Discovery of Planet Vulcan

During the nineteenth century, scientists and astronomer believed that there was a planet that existed between Sun and Mercury. Its name was Vulcan. It was first discovered by Urbain Jean Joseph Le Verrier since there were some abnormalities with the orbit of Mercury that were inexplicable.

Le Verrier argued that the reason for these peculiarities must be an object – the moon or a small planet – acting as a source of gravity. Certain astronomers doubted the existence of Vulcan. The search for this hypothetical planet was abandoned in 1915. Moreover, the theory of general relativity also helped in explaining the strange phenomena associated with Mercury.

9. Spontaneous Life

For centuries, it was widely believed that life rose from elements without seed or an egg or any other means of reproduction. Aristotle was the person who founded this theory. Even thinkers before him thought that life spring from mud, earth, and slime when they were exposed to sunlight.

The theory persisted for centuries after Aristotle. Some scientist even proposed it as late as the 1700s. The theory did not survive the scientific method and discarded once and for all. It’s one of the several scientific facts proven wrong.

8. Earth Expanding

The modern understanding of the earth and its behaviors are based around the concept of subduction. Before this idea became accepted, many scientists thought that the earth was increasing its volume perpetually.

This helped explaining many phenomena like the mountain ranges beneath the earth and drifts in continents. This hypothesis is not only one of the scientific facts proven wrong, but it has been replaced by the theory of tectonic plates which explains the movements beneath the Earth.

7. The Theory Of Phlogiston

The theory put forward by Johan Joachim Becher in 1667 stated that every combustible item contains an element which is called phlogiston which is released during the burning process. In fact, it was believed that the burning could only take place because of the existence of this element.

It was said that phlogiston was colorless. With the passage of time, scientific tests discarded this theory since it did not explain the burning of metals. The theory which replaced the Phlogiston was oxidation.

6. Martian Canals

It is a network of ravines and gullies that scientist during the 19th centuries believed existed on Mars. They first discovered by Giovanni Schiaparelli in 1877. The Martian canals became a pheromone when other scientist endorsed this idea. It was also said that the canals were an irrigation system that was developed by inhabitants of the planet. The theory survived into the 20th century.

The Martian Canals were proven to be a myth with the invention of modern telescopes. It became known that what looked like canals were optical illusions. In the 1960s, an unmanned spacecraft went to the red planet and took pictures burying the theory altogether and ranking it among scientific facts proven wrong.

5. Ether

Also known as Ether – this object was supposedly a mysterious element that helped in remission of light throughout the entire universe. Scientist believed that light needed a means of transport for it to travel from one place to another.

The ether theory was accepted until the nineteenth century. Experiments would contradict this theory more of the; however, people continued to believe it. It phased out gradually with the advent of sophisticated theories. In fact, it still exists in its refined form.

4. The Blank Slate

It is one of the oldest and controversial theories in psychology. It states that a person has no built-in personality when he is born. Every intellectual content was the result of education and experience. There was no such thing as instinct.

There is little doubt that education and experience do play a vital role in forming the personality of an individual, it is also imperative to accept the part that a person genes would play in this regard. Some family traits are inherited. This was proven after years of study and experiment. And the blank slate became one of the scientific facts proven wrong.

3. Phrenology

It is only regarded as a pseudoscience these days, but there was a time when it was widely popular. The theory stated that character traits like intelligence, violence, and music were all localized in particular parts of the brain.

According to the Phrenology theory, the larger an area of the brain is, the more chances of the person behaving in a particular manner. Scientists never believed phrenology. However, it only phased out gradually.

2. The Static Universe

Before the Big Bang Theory was accepted, it was found that the Universe and its size were not changing. This meant that the universe would neither increase in size or decrease.  Even Albert Einstein believed in this theory.

The theory had certain loopholes that could not be explained since it failed to elaborate why the universe was not become denser with the passage of time. Einstein subsequently abandoned this idea. So today, the static universe ranks among the scientific facts proven wrong.

1. Cold Fusion

There is a requirement of extreme energy as well as high temperatures needed for carrying out a nuclear experiment. The cold fusion theory states that such a process can also be carried out at room temperature. It was a very simple concept. In fact, the idea is still believed by some people.

10 Old Scientific Facts Proven Wrong

1. Cold Fusion
2. The Static Universe
3. Phrenology
4. The Blank Slate
5. Ether
6. Martian Canals
7. The Theory Of Phlogiston
8. Earth Expanding
9. Spontaneous Life
10. Discovery of Planet Vulcan

Written by: Steve Lawrence  

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With its roots in ancient traditions, meditation has become a widespread tool for managing stress, anxiety, and other mental health conditions. But popular opinion is still pretty torn between whether this is snake oil or the real deal. So what does the science say about the effectiveness of meditation?

Psychological research has demonstrated several scientifically proven benefits to daily meditation. From reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety to improving focus and cognitive function, the evidence suggests that it can be a powerful tool for improving mental health and overall well-being.

Let’s explore ten key benefits of meditation and how this ancient practice can help us live happier, healthier lives.

Related: 10 Ridiculous Health Myths (Science Says Are Actually True)

10 Reduce Stress

When you experience stress, your body produces a hormone called cortisol. This hormone can harm your physical and mental health, but meditation has been shown to lower cortisol levels. By taking just a few minutes each day to meditate, you can reduce the amount of cortisol in your body and feel more relaxed.

Even meditation beginners can reduce their cortisol levels; the more you practice meditation techniques, the faster your stress will disappear.

When stressed, your sympathetic nervous system is activated, which can cause your heart rate to increase and your muscles to tense up. Meditation can counteract these effects and help you feel more relaxed. This is part of your nervous system responsible for the “rest and digest” response.

9 Improve Your Focus

Since meditation is a practice centered around training your mind to be present, you can work to minimize distractions and amplify your ability to concentrate. Deep breathing, visualization, or mindfulness techniques are standard practices, but there are a lot of meditation styles you can customize to fit what feels good for you.

The beauty of meditation is that it has benefits no matter how your brain works. Consistent meditation can alter the brain’s structure, leading to heightened attention and focus. Even individuals with ADHD see improvements; there’s a reason why many experts suggest this practice to mitigate symptoms.

A University of Wisconsin-Madison study found that participants who completed an eight-week meditation program exhibited increased activity in the prefrontal cortex, the brain region associated with attention and decision-making.

But you don’t have to be a monk or a yogi to reap the benefits of meditation. Even just a few minutes of daily practice can improve your focus and concentration.

8 Reduce Anxiety

Anxiety afflicts millions worldwide, functioning like an unyielding monster that fills your mind with negative thoughts, leaving you overwhelmed, stressed, and fearful.

A potential saving grace? Meditation.

Meditation has the power to significantly reduce anxiety. Studies show that regular meditation can help alleviate anxiety by decreasing activity in the amygdala, the brain’s fear and stress-processing center. Moreover, meditation can boost activity in the prefrontal cortex, the area responsible for emotion regulation, decision-making, and attention. This heightened activity empowers you to manage your emotions better and lowers the chance that anxious thoughts and feelings will hijack your mind.

A study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology found that mindfulness-based stress reduction, a form of meditation, can help alleviate anxiety symptoms. If this resonates with you, find a quiet space, sit down, and take a few deep breaths. Through consistent practice, you’ll experience reduced anxiety and gain mastery over your thoughts.

7 Achieve Better Sleep

Forget your sleep number—if you long to consistently drift into a peaceful slumber and wake up feeling revitalized, meditation might be the key. It helps dissolve stress and anxiety, two major factors often depriving us of a good night’s rest.

By centering your mind on the present and releasing worrisome thoughts, you can train your brain to enter a state of deep relaxation, making it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep throughout the night.

Regular meditation elevates the quality of your sleep and prolongs the time spent in the deep, restorative sleep stages crucial for your physical and mental health. Meditation’s capacity to improve sleep quality is supported by a study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. So, if you grapple with insomnia, incorporating just a few minutes of meditation into your daily routine can make a significant difference.

6 Manage or Reduce Your Depression

When you fight chronic depression, you know that every little step helps. Meditation positively impacts depression symptoms, such as low mood, lack of motivation, and feelings of hopelessness.

Because it encourages you to be present and aware of your thoughts and emotions without judgment, you can foster self-awareness, acceptance, and self-compassion. This practice helps you manage difficult emotions and thoughts more constructively, reducing the likelihood of depression. One study published in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology showed that mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, a form of meditation, has been shown to reduce depression symptoms.

And since meditation increases activity in the prefrontal cortex, which regulates your emotions, it equips you to regulate negative emotions like sadness or anger, which can contribute to chronic depression. Even just a few minutes a day can brighten your mood.

5 Soothe Physical Pains

Okay, we’re not downplaying real pain by saying, “It’s all in your head.” Physical pain is usually caused by a legitimate problem. But your brain is a powerful thing, and meditation can help you to manage the pain you’re feeling.

Regular meditation can change the brain’s pain-processing mechanisms, decreasing the intensity and unpleasantness of physical pain. Meditation’s pain-reducing potential is evidenced by a study published in the Journal of Psychosomatic Research. Another study showed that mindfulness meditation was more effective than traditional pain management techniques in reducing chronic lower back pain.

So if you’re looking for a natural and effective way to reduce pain, try turning on a guided meditation like this one. A few minutes of mindfulness practice a day could help you feel more comfortable and relaxed, even in the face of physical discomfort.

4 Strengthen Your Immune System

Having just come down from a global pandemic, you know why a robust immune system is crucial to fend off illnesses and bounce back from infections. Along with its myriad health benefits, meditation positively impacts our immune system. Regularly practicing it can bolster your body’s natural defenses and cultivate better overall health.

A study published in the Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences supports meditation’s role in enhancing immune function. Studies show that meditation enhances immune function in several ways, including:

1. It reduces stress and anxiety, which are known culprits in weakening your immune system.

2. It increases natural killer cell activity—an integral part of your immune defense—and raises antibody levels, proteins that neutralize harmful invaders.

3. It supports better sleep, allowing your body to fight infections more effectively and recover faster from illnesses.

So if you want to boost your immune system, consistent daily meditation is a great place to start! Whether you’re just getting started or have been practicing for years, taking a few minutes each day to quiet your mind and focus on your breath can help keep you from catching that flu.

3 Regulate Blood Pressure

Unless you’re like Dwight Shrute, who claims, “Through concentration, I can raise and lower my blood pressure at will,” you might want to listen up.

Did you know that blood pressure is the force exerted by blood on the walls of arteries as it flows? A consistently high flow of blood pressure can lead to serious health problems like heart disease and stroke. But regular meditation can help lower that pressure, so you can keep it within a healthy range.

By calming the mind and body, meditation reduces stress and anxiety—two villains behind high blood pressure. As your body enters a relaxed state during meditation, your heart rate and breathing slow down, blood vessels widen, and blood flows more smoothly, resulting in decreased pressure on arterial walls.

A meta-analysis published in the Journal of Hypertension found that meditation can help lower blood pressure in individuals with hypertension. Incorporating meditation into your daily routine, even for just a few minutes, can significantly reduce blood pressure.

2 Boost Cognitive Abilities

Want to be the next Einstein? It might be time to put down those flash cards and start working on your deep breathing.

Regular meditation can lead to brain structure and function changes, resulting in improved cognitive abilities. One of these changes involves strengthening the prefrontal cortex, which plays a crucial role in cognitive processes like attention, decision-making, and impulse control. Meditation also enlarges the hippocampus, the brain area responsible for learning and memory.

Beyond structural changes, meditation has enhanced cognitive performance across various tasks. It can improve working memory, attention, and cognitive flexibility.

1 Ease PTSD Symptoms

Meditation has proven to be a powerful tool for alleviating symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD is no joke. It can be incredibly challenging, affecting many people who have experienced traumatic events.

A study published in the Journal of Traumatic Stress found that meditation was associated with reduced PTSD symptoms, such as intrusive thoughts, avoidance, and hyperarousal. Meditation aids PTSD by lowering anxiety and stress levels. Individuals with PTSD often feel on edge and have heightened alertness. Meditation can calm the nervous system, mitigating anxiety and stress.

It can also help with emotional regulation when you struggle with intense emotions. Practicing mindfulness meditation gives you a chance to observe your own thoughts and emotions without becoming overwhelmed.