The Secret Chemical of Trust
The hormone oxytocin, often called the 'love drug', is scientifically shown to increase feelings of trust.
Every fact, in one place.
Our whole collection, newest first. Search it, or just scroll — each one is short enough to read in a breath. 6,804 so far.
The Deadliest Jog in History
Early humans practiced 'persistence hunting', where they would out-endure faster prey by jogging for hours until the animal collapsed from heat exhaustion.
Trivia
493 is the number of Pokémon species, from the first set through the fourth generation as of August 2009.
The Royal Color Made From Snails
The color purple was once so rare and expensive that it was reserved exclusively for royalty, as it was made from the mucus of thousands of sea snails.
Broken Can Be More Beautiful
The Japanese art of Kintsugi repairs broken pottery with gold, viewing the cracks as a beautiful part of its resilient history.
Why Curiosity Feels Like an Itch
The urge to learn new information activates the same brain regions as hunger and thirst.
Trivia
180 is the gent's clout shooting distance in archery measured in yards.
Da Vinci's Superhuman Brain Trick
Leonardo da Vinci was ambidextrous and could write with one hand while drawing with the other simultaneously.
Trivia
180 is the maximum possible score in one turn at darts (three triple 20s).
Friends Are Natural Painkillers? #3237
Laughing with friends triggers the release of endorphins, which act as the body's natural painkillers.
Self-Aware Animals Fact #4612
Dolphins, elephants, and magpies are among the few animal species that can pass the mirror test, recognizing their own reflection.
Who Invented the Drive-Thru? #1580
The first drive-thru service wasn't for a big chain, but for Red's Giant Hamburg on Route 66 in 1947.
The Sticky Note Accident
Post-it Notes were born from a failed experiment to create a super-strong adhesive.
Why You Don't Act Out Your Dreams
Your body is temporarily paralyzed during REM sleep to prevent you from physically acting out your dreams.
The President's Cursing Parrot
President Andrew Jackson's pet parrot, Poll, had to be removed from his funeral because it wouldn't stop swearing.
Rewire Your Brain For Joy! #Fact 389
Practicing gratitude can physically change your brain's structure, making it more sensitive to experiences of joy.
The Mindset for a Longer Life
On average, optimists live 11-15% longer and have a greater chance of living past the age of 85.
The True Secret to Success Isn't IQ
Grit, the ability to persevere through challenges, is a more reliable predictor of long-term success than IQ.
Your Messy Desk is a Good Thing
A messy desk can actually foster more creativity and new ideas than a tidy one, as it encourages breaking from tradition.
Teddy Roosevelt's Bulletproof Speech
After being shot in an assassination attempt, Theodore Roosevelt delivered an 84-minute speech with the bullet still lodged in his chest.
Lady Justice's Secret Origin #6449
The blindfold on Lady Justice, symbolizing impartiality, wasn't a standard feature until the 16th century.
This Animal Has Four Noses!
A slug has four noses which it uses to smell and to feel its way around.
Your Bones Are Stronger Than Concrete!
Your bones are about four times stronger than concrete.
Your Stomach Can Dissolve Metal?!
The acid in a human stomach is strong enough to dissolve razor blades.
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