Tag: Knuckle cracking

For decades, the persistent myth that cracking your knuckles causes arthritis has been passed down. In fact, numerous scientific studies and a Nobel Prize-winning experiment have debunked this claim. So, is it healthy to crack your knuckles? The evidence overwhelmingly suggests that the habit is benign.

According to the satirical Ig Nobel Prize awarded in 2009, an American physician conducted a single-subject experiment lasting 50 years to investigate a popular health myth. This groundbreaking (and slightly humorous) study led by Dr. Donald L. Unger aimed to answer the age-old question: Does knuckle cracking lead to arthritis of the fingers Donald L. Unger?

The sound of cracking knuckles, while common, is often misunderstood. That distinctive pop has a specific medical term and a fascinating scientific explanation related to the release of gas bubbles from your joint fluid.

According to researchers at the University of California, the audible cracking sound in joints comes from gas bubbles collapsing within synovial fluid, not bones grinding. Yet, the question of why are popping joints so satisfying reveals a more complex interaction between our physical sensations and brain chemistry, going beyond a simple vacuum effect.