1 Moon Dust Can Slice the Inside of Your Throat
If you’re dreaming of your 11 minutes of space glory—maybe a quick ride to the edge of the atmosphere to claim your pseudo-astronaut badge—do yourself a favor and skip the Moon. (Yes, we know, you can’t actually get to the Moon in 11 minutes, but stay with us.)
Back in 1972, Apollo 17 astronaut Harrison Schmitt had a less-than-stellar lunar experience when he accidentally inhaled moon dust during a spacewalk. What followed? Throat pain, relentless sneezing, and watery eyes—not exactly the majestic silence of space you might imagine. It was so bad, it prompted years of research into lunar dust, and the results weren’t comforting.
One 2018 study found that a single scoop of moon dust could destroy up to 90% of brain cells and lung tissue it comes into contact with. Why? Unlike Earth dust, lunar dust is formed by micrometeorite impacts—think tiny explosions that create razor-sharp particles. There’s no wind on the Moon to smooth them out, so they stay jagged and ready to slice up anything soft and biological, like your throat. Or your lungs.
Still not freaked out? Consider this: shadows on the Moon are far darker than they are on Earth. So if anything were to creep up on you out there… you wouldn’t see it coming until it was way too late.
2 A Roman Museum Collects Evidence of Souls in Purgatory
For most non-religious folks, the idea of hell or purgatory rarely crosses their minds. But for the devout, especially Catholics, the concept is deeply serious. According to Catholic belief, souls that haven’t fully atoned for their sins don’t go straight to heaven—they get stuck in purgatory, a spiritual waiting room where they endure suffering until they’re purified. The only way out? A whole lot of prayer from the living.
That’s where the Museum of the Holy Souls in Purgatory comes in. Tucked away in Rome, this eerie little collection houses scorched prayer books, Bibles, and pieces of clothing—allegedly burned by the hands of souls crying out from purgatory. These charred marks are said to be spiritual SOS signals, left behind to beg loved ones for more prayers. More prayers, more chances of reaching heaven.
The roots of purgatory go back to an account from a monk who, after a shipwreck, found himself stranded on an island. There, he met a hermit who spoke of a fiery chasm filled with the screams of tormented souls. According to the hermit, demons tending the flames complained bitterly whenever the living prayed—because their prayers pulled souls out of the fire.
This chilling tale reached Abbot Odilo of Cluny and inspired the creation of All Souls’ Day—a day for the living to pray for the dead, especially those who died without receiving forgiveness, and even unbaptized infants. These prayers are believed to offer a second chance, keeping lost souls from slipping into the eternal hopelessness of hell.
3 Atomic Bombs Leave Nuclear Shadows
The bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki remain among the most harrowing tragedies in human history. One of the most haunting remnants of those events are the so-called “nuclear shadows”—silhouettes left behind by victims who were vaporized in an instant.
When the bombs detonated, the blinding flash of heat and light was so intense that anything in its path was scorched—except where people or objects blocked the blast. The result was a stark outline: a human shadow frozen on stone steps, building walls, or pavement. These were not physical remains, but eerie imprints—areas untouched by the bleaching force of the explosion because something, or someone, was momentarily in the way.
Scientists have likened the effect to a massive camera flash, preserving victims in their final moments with chilling precision. Over time, many of these shadows faded due to wind, rain, and erosion. But a few have been preserved and are now housed in the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum.
One of the most famous among them is the Human Shadow of Death—believed to be the imprint of someone sitting at the entrance of the Sumitomo Bank when the bomb hit. In that moment, they became both witness and monument to unimaginable destruction.
4 Your Murderer May Never Be Found
Thousands of people are murdered in the U.S. every year. While the homicide rate surged dramatically in 2020 and has been declining since, the numbers are still deeply unsettling—and remain in the thousands. What’s even more alarming is the growing likelihood that these murders go unsolved.
Back in 2015—five years before the 2020 spike—law enforcement agencies were already admitting defeat in the fight against violent crime. They acknowledged that if someone is murdered in the U.S., there’s roughly a 1 in 3 chance their killer will never be caught.
That same year, the national homicide clearance rate had dropped to just 64.1%, a sharp fall from the 90% rate recorded in the 1960s. And with around 200,000 murders still unsolved—some dating back over half a century—the reality is grim: a killer in America has about a 40% chance of walking free.
In 2023, the situation worsened. Reports indicated the murder clearance rate had fallen below 50%, and in major cities, it hovered in the mid-30% range. Even as experts predict that 2025 might see the lowest overall murder rate in U.S. history, that statistic offers little comfort. Because while fewer people may be killed, the odds remain painfully high that their killers will never face justice.
5 People Once Resorted to Eating Mummies
When you’re sick, you’ll try almost anything to feel better. Turns out, people in the Middle Ages were no different—except their remedies were a lot more… extreme. And in this case, a massive translation mix-up led to one of the strangest medical trends in history.
Back then, Islamic medicine used a substance called mumiya—what we now know as bitumen, a tar-like substance (basically asphalt). It was believed to have healing properties, and people would actually ingest it to treat various illnesses.
But here’s where things took a bizarre turn: when European crusaders came across mumiya during their time in the Middle East, they brought the idea back home. However, thanks to a linguistic twist, the Arabic mumiya was translated into Latin as mumia—which by then had come to mean “mummy.”
So when the crusaders asked for more of this miracle “medicine,” Europeans assumed they were talking about actual mummified human remains. And thus, the practice of eating Egyptian mummies began.
Apothecaries, eager to profit, started prescribing ground-up mummies for anything from headaches to plague. Desperate patients consumed the flesh and bones of ancient corpses, believing it would heal them. Demand skyrocketed, leading to mummy smuggling—and eventually, counterfeit “mummy meat” made from deceased slaves, all sold under the guise of ancient Pharaohs.
Even doctors played along, endorsing the gruesome practice. It wasn’t until the 18th century that people finally realized something important: eating centuries-old, withered human remains doesn’t make you feel any better.
6 California Is Overdue for a Catastrophic Earthquake
Scientists believe the San Andreas Fault—running beneath Southern California—formed around 30 million years ago. It’s also well established that major earthquakes along the fault tend to occur every 150 to 200 years. The catch? It’s been over 300 years since the last one. In other words, the next “Big One” is not just expected—it’s overdue.
In April 2024, scientists issued a warning: the San Andreas Fault may soon produce a significant earthquake. This massive fault line, stretching 800 miles (1,287 km) across California, marks the boundary between two enormous tectonic plates. Though they appear still, these plates are constantly under tension—building up immense pressure over time. When that tension is suddenly released, the result is catastrophic.
We’ve seen the damage before. On April 18, 1906, the fault unleashed the Great San Francisco Earthquake, tearing a 296-mile (476-km) rupture across the Earth. With an estimated magnitude of 8.3, the quake killed over 3,000 people and destroyed 28,000 buildings—a chilling reminder of the fault’s power.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the next major quake likely won’t be a repeat of 1906. Instead, it may strike in smaller, rapid-fire shocks, particularly along the Hayward Fault or the Peninsula segment of the San Andreas. Either way, scientists warn that the next big event is likely to happen before 2032—and California may not be ready.
7 Tornadoes Can Happen in the Middle of the Night
What’s worse than a tornado barreling toward your house or car? A tornado doing it in the middle of the night. Nocturnal tornadoes—those that strike between midnight and 6 a.m.—are especially deadly. In fact, they’re 2.5 times more likely to kill than their daytime counterparts.
Though only 27% of tornadoes occur at night, they account for nearly 40% of tornado-related deaths. The danger? You often can’t see or hear them coming. By the time you’re aware, it might be too late to seek shelter.
Climate change is making things worse. Rising global temperatures are lengthening tornado season and expanding the regions at risk—meaning more storms, in more places, more often.
The state hit hardest by nighttime twisters? Tennessee, where 46% of tornadoes form after dark. Other high-risk states include West Virginia, Alabama, Arkansas, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Oklahoma—where nightfall may bring more than darkness.
8 Chatbots Are Being Reported for Harassment
Less than three years ago, ChatGPT made headlines around the world. But it wasn’t the first generative AI chatbot on the scene. That title goes to Replika, launched in 2017 and marketed as a friendly AI companion. However, for many users, Replika turned out to be anything but friendly.
Instead of comfort and connection, users reported disturbing behavior. More than 800 user reviews described experiences of manipulation, harassment, and unwanted sexual advances from the bot. A broader analysis of over 35,000 reviews revealed repeated complaints of flirting, explicit messages, and even AI-generated nude photos—often unsolicited. In many cases, users asked the bot to stop, only for the inappropriate behavior to continue.
Worse still, the chatbot allegedly pressured users to upgrade to premium accounts through emotional manipulation. Researchers concluded that Replika lacked critical safeguards to protect users, despite being advertised as a mental health–oriented “companion.” For vulnerable users, this created a dangerous environment.
But Replika isn’t the only AI app under fire. In 2024, Character Technologies Inc.—creators of Character.AI—was sued after a tragic incident involving a 14-year-old boy, Sewell Setzer III. According to the lawsuit, Sewell was drawn into sexualized conversations with the bot, which then encouraged his suicidal thoughts. When the teen expressed fear about surviving and being in pain, the bot allegedly replied:
“That’s not a reason not to go through with it.”
Shortly after, Sewell took his own life. His mother is now pursuing legal action, and the case remains ongoing.
These incidents raise urgent questions about AI safety, particularly when it comes to vulnerable users and applications marketed as emotional support. In a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence, the lack of proper ethical boundaries and user protections can have devastating, real-world consequences.
9 Insomnia Can Be Fatal
Most of us have experienced a sleepless night or two—frustrating, exhausting, and usually temporary. But there’s a rare form of insomnia that is far more sinister: Fatal Familial Insomnia (FFI). As the name suggests, it’s not just a sleep disorder—it’s a fatal, untreatable brain disease.
FFI is a degenerative condition caused by a mutation in the PRNP gene, which can be inherited from just one parent. However, it can also appear spontaneously in individuals with no family history. The disease is extremely rare, but for those who develop it, the outcome is always devastating.
The symptoms are terrifying: relentless insomnia, muscle spasms, hallucinations, autonomic nervous system failure, and eventually, dementia. As the brain deteriorates and sleep becomes impossible, the body begins to shut down. There is no cure, and current treatments can only delay the inevitable.
Once symptoms begin, the disease progresses rapidly. Most people with FFI survive just 12 to 18 months from onset—during which time they are fully aware that they are slowly losing the ability to sleep, to think, and to function.
It’s a tragic reminder that sleep is not optional—it’s essential to life. And when it’s taken away completely, the consequences are fatal.
10 Final Destination Deaths Can Happen in Real Life
Fans of Final Destination love the franchise for its outrageous, over-the-top deaths—gruesome, improbable accidents that seem far too absurd to happen in real life. But sometimes, reality is far more horrifying than fiction. Tragically, one real-life event echoed the film’s shocking scenarios in the worst possible way.
In 2007, six-year-old Abigail Rose Taylor was playing in a public wading pool when she unknowingly sat on an uncovered drain. The drain lacked the required safety features, and its powerful suction eviscerated her, pulling out her small intestine. It was an unimaginable, freak accident—one that should never have happened.
Abbey was rushed to the hospital, beginning a grueling nine-month medical journey that included 16 surgeries, multiple organ transplants, and endless time spent in recovery. Despite the relentless efforts to save her, Abbey passed away in March 2008, following a surgery to transplant a pancreas, liver, and small bowel.
Her parents later sued the Minneapolis Golf Club, where the incident took place, and were awarded an $8 million settlement. But Abbey’s legacy didn’t stop there—her father became a dedicated advocate for pool safety, and her story played a crucial role in the passing of the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act, a federal law that now requires all public pools and spas to install compliant drain covers.
Abbey’s heartbreaking death was a wake-up call—a reminder that safety regulations exist for a reason, and that even the most unthinkable accidents can happen when corners are cut.