Sayanara Smith

Sayanara focuses on the “why” behind the news and writes clear, well-sourced explainers. She developed careful verification habits while editing cultural essays, tracing claims back to primary sources. She’s exploring future study in philosophy (UC Berkeley is on her shortlist; no current affiliation). Her work is original, transparently cited, and updated with corrections when needed. Off the page, she coaches a local debate team and plays jazz piano..

Can You Sweat Out a Fever?

There’s a persistent myth floating around that when you have a fever, the best thing you can do is “sweat it out.” You might hear it from a grandparent or a friend—“Put on a sweater, sweat it out, and you’ll be fine.” On the surface, it sounds sensible: sweat is your body’s way of cooling … Read more

Did You Know The Moon Smells Like Gunpowder?

Few things fascinate more than the peculiar quirky details about our celestial neighbor, the Moon. Here’s one that’s weirdly specific: did you know the Moon actually smells like gunpowder? It sounds like the setup for a late-night campfire tale or a sci-fi flick, but it’s absolutely true—at least according to the astronauts who’ve stepped on … Read more

Does Swallowing Gum Stick to Your Intestines?

You ever hear the old myth that if you swallow gum, it’ll stick to your intestines forever? Like some kind of digestive horror story where your insides are glued shut? It’s one of those tales everyone’s passed around since childhood, usually paired with a knowing look and a warning not to “swallow your gum.” But … Read more

Can You Get Sick from Going Outside with Wet Hair?

Ever catch yourself rushing outdoors with wet hair after a late-night shower and immediately wonder if you’re setting yourself up to catch the flu? The old advice from parents and grandparents about “don’t go outside with wet hair or you’ll get sick” is so ingrained in our culture that it feels almost like a law … Read more

Did You Know There’s a Jellyfish That Can Live Forever?

Picture a creature so bizarre, so utterly unlike the rest of us, that it seems to thumb its slimy tentacle at death itself. A jellyfish that doesn’t just drift along the waves, but rewinds its age, turning back biological time. This isn’t the stuff of myth or sci-fi; it’s the real-life Turritopsis dohrnii—commonly nicknamed the … Read more

Do Hair and Fingernails Keep Growing After Death?

There’s a weird little myth that pops up every so often—usually in casual chats about death, horror stories, or that creepy movie you saw last night—claiming that hair and fingernails keep growing after you die. It’s the kind of idea that sticks in your head: imagining a corpse slowly sprouting more hair and nails while … Read more

Did You Know The Human Brain Has No Pain Receptors?

You might find it surprising that the human brain—the epicenter of sensation, emotion, and thought—doesn’t actually feel pain. That’s right: the brain itself is completely devoid of pain receptors. This quirky fact often leads to some head-scratching. How can the organ controlling everything about you, including your pain perception, not experience pain itself? If you’ve … Read more

Is the Five-Second Rule Scientifically Proven?

There’s something oddly comforting about the idea that a simple rule like the “five-second rule” could be a reliable excuse to scoop up that rogue piece of spaghetti or slice of pizza from the floor without losing your appetite. It’s woven into everyday culture, passed down in kitchens, schools, and offices with far more faith … Read more