The Anatomy of an April Fool | Five Medical Myths (Briefly) Debunked
This article isn’t an April Fools’ joke—I’ve spent my career watching these myths persist.
April 1st never fails to bring pranks and viral videos. The goal? Stay one step ahead of your friends’ tricks. Yet, despite our increased awareness, we’ve all fallen prey to ingrained medical myths that have taken root far deeper than most conspiracy theories.
To avoid being tricked by common medical misconceptions, both old and new, let’s debunk five persistent myths that continue to mislead society—no prank required.
1. Vincent van Gogh: Madness or Medical Mystery
Often celebrated for his genius brushwork, the Dutch painter lived a life overshadowed by labels of madness and limited recognition. Recent neuropsychiatric research has suggested he had a bipolar disorder with traits of borderline personality disorder, exacerbated by poor nutrition, alcohol use, and psychosocial stressors. Researchers believe van Gogh suffered delirium from alcohol withdrawal, followed by severe depression with psychotic features, ultimately leading to his suicide at 37. Had he lived today, modern psychiatric treatments might have extended his life—allowing him to witness his own artistic renaissance rather than being remembered as a tragic genius.
2. Cutting Eggs Will Lower Your Cholesterol
This one isn’t entirely a myth. Despite their cholesterol content, eggs don’t significantly raise LDL (“bad”) cholesterol in healthy people. Surprisingly, what matters more is what you eat with them—the oil or butter you cook them with or the extra side of bacon—along with your genetic predisposition and how your liver metabolizes fat. This explains why, despite diets and excellent fitness, many patients still require medications to manage their levels and prevent cardiovascular disease. In the end, it’s not just about what you eat, but how your body processes it. But, if you really want to eat eggs and be carefree, consider skipping the yolk and eating the egg whites, which are high in protein and lack cholesterol.
3. The Spanish Flu had an American Passport
In 1918, the world faced one of the deadliest pandemics in history: the Spanish flu. This virus claimed over 50 million lives, primarily among young adults aged 20 to 40. Victims went from mild cold-like symptoms to mahogany-colored cheeks within hours, followed by bluish-black skin from oxygen deprivation, often dying within 24 to 48 hours. The horror was real—straight out of a Black Mirror episode.
But here’s the kicker: despite its name, this pandemic didn’t start in Spain—it likely began in America. The first cases have been traced back to Camp Funston (Fort Riley), Kansas, in March 1918. Then it spread to Europe with deployed US troops by May of that year.4
At the time, World War I was nearing its climax, and the US government censored reports to maintain morale and prevent intelligence leaks. Spain, a neutral country, had no such restrictions and publicly reported the outbreak—hence, the misnomer Spanish flu.
More than a century later, if such a virus were seen today, The Purple Death—a name sometimes used—might be a more fitting title, regardless of its origins or passport!
4. The Myth of Harmless Toxoplasmosis: Is Your Cat Making You Gamble?
A cat, a parasite, and a man walk into a casino… Sounds like the start of a joke, but research suggests your cat’s infection might be influencing your gambling habits.
Meet Toxoplasma gondii, the parasite responsible for toxoplasmosis. It often infects humans through exposure to cat feces (like when cleaning a litter box) or consuming undercooked meat. For years, scientists believed it was harmless in healthy individuals, only affecting the immunocompromised. But research suggests otherwise.
Here’s where it gets interesting: T. gondii rewires mice to lose their fear of cats, making them easy prey. Once swallowed, the parasite completes its life cycle and is shed in cat feces, where it can spread to humans. Studies have linked latent toxoplasmosis to increased dopamine levels, which may reduce fear responses and contribute to risk-taking behaviors, including impulsivity, gambling, addiction, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, and suicidal tendencies.
Unfortunately, there’s no approved treatment for it in healthy individuals, leaving scientists puzzled about how to turn these findings into practical solutions. Who knows? Maybe even van Gogh was affected? For now, awareness is key—because what happens in the litter box doesn’t always stay there.
5. Drugs Like Ozempic Are Only for Diabetics or Weight Loss Seekers
This one is modern! You’ve probably seen a friend start Ozempic (semaglutide) and suddenly drop 40 pounds. I have. In fact, many of my patients have achieved healthier weights and better blood sugar control since beginning these treatments. However, most people don’t know that these two hefty goals are only part of the equation.
Our own Hoosier pharmaceutical giant, Eli Lilly, is leading the charge with research showing a similar drug they manufacture, Zepbound (tirzepatide), has marked improvement in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) symptoms, weight, and blood pressure.
Yes, you heard me right: if you’re obese/overweight and suffer from cardiovascular disease, Zepbound can improve your OSA symptoms. Time to order a new set of pajamas and golfing shorts!
Final Thoughts:
Do you have a favorite medical myth? Share it with me on social media or next time we meet at the Clubhouse—I’d love to hear it.
References:
Nolen, W., et al. "Vincent van Gogh’s mental illness: New perspectives." International Journal of Bipolar Disorders. 2020. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40345-020-00196-z
Mayo Clinic. "Cholesterol: Top foods to improve your numbers." Mayo Clinic Health Library. 2023. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/expert-answers/cholesterol/faq-20058468
Cleveland Clinic. "Spanish Flu: The Deadliest Pandemic in History." 2023. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21777-spanish-flu
PAHO. "The Purple Death: The Great Flu of 1918." https://www.paho.org/en/who-we-are/history-paho/purple-death-great-flu-1918
NIH. "Toxoplasmosis and Risk-Taking Behavior." 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10242185
Malhotra, A., et al. NEJM. "Tirzepatide in Obesity and Obstructive Sleep Apnea." 2024. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2404881
This article was originally published on Stroll Holliday Farms Magazine (April 2025 issue).
