Fear Factor

What pet was Julius Caesar afraid of? Discover 10 rare phobias!

Image: Nik

We all feel scared sometimes, right? But phobias aren't simple fears; They represent a type of irrational and strong fear of objects, situations, or activities that can cause intense feelings of anxiety. Some are very frequent, such as arachnophobia (fear of spiders) or claustrophobia (fear of confined spaces). However, there are many other phobias that are not only rare but also have some of the strangest names. Have you ever heard of chaetophobia? Do you know the term for mirror phobia? If you want to discover 10 uncommon phobias and the origin of their names, read on!

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Since old times, poets and artists have dedicated part of their work to nature, particularly flowers. In all types, sizes, and colors, Mother Nature has a flower for everyone, and we, as humans, have incorporated them into our culture in countless ways.

But not everything is rosy. Some people struggle when spring arrives. We're not talking about those allergic to pollen –although they suffer too– but those with anthophobia.

Άνθος (anthos) is the Greek word for flower. So, as the name implies, it's a deep fear of flowers, their appearance, contact with them, or, in some cases, even their scent.

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Do you have a lucky number? We do! Numbers represent a lot in our lives, both socially and personally. In fact, many cultures have adopted certain numbers as positive or negative symbols. For example, according to Chinese culture, 8 is a lucky number, while 4 heralds bad news. In Japanese culture, 7 is responsible for announcing good fortune.

Arithmophobia is the irrational fear of numbers. Some people with arithmophobia may reject all numbers in general, while others may associate the fear with a specific number, especially those considered negative or unlucky. Just like the word "arithmetics," arithmophobia has its origin in the Greek ἀριθμός (arithmós), meaning "numbers" or "counting."

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While connectivity allows us to work, find out what's going on in the world, keep in touch with our loved ones, and receive funny memes, technology can also have its downside.

Our reliance and dependence on laptops and cell phones have increased in recent years, and one of the consequences was the emergence of a condition called nomophobia.

According to the National Library of Medicine, nomophobia is the severe anxiety caused by the fear of being without your phone, losing it, or lacking cell service. Unlike most phobias, its name doesn't have Greek origins; it's actually a portmanteau: NO MObile PHOne phoBIA.

Image: Kim Davies

Cats and dogs have been part of our lives for ages, but while many of us may find them adorable, some people would prefer another type of pet. Why? Well, for many and varied reasons, and one of them could be ailurophobia.

Ailurophobia is the intense and irrational fear of cats. Its name comes from the Greek αἴλουρος (ailouros), meaning "cat," and φόβος (phóbos), "fear," and its symptoms and triggers can vary from person to person.

Surprising as it may be, this phobia is not new. It seems that this fear has been around since ancient times. In fact, some stories claim that figures such as Julius Caesar and Alexander the Great experienced this phobia.

Image: Caroline Veronez

What's the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning? For many of us, looking in the mirror is part of our daily routine, whether it's brushing our teeth or trying on the outfit we'll wear to work. For some, however, a mirror isn't necessary. In fact, they would prefer to avoid it at all costs.

We're talking about eisoptrophobia, the irrational fear of mirrors. As you've probably guessed by now, this word is also derived from Greek but is a bit more specific. εἰς (eis) means "into," and ὀπτῐκός (optikos) refers to vision, image, or sight. As you can see, the word's etymology points to a fear of the reflected image rather than the mirror itself.

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Wherever you go, wherever you look, there will be words. On your phone screen, on the TV, on book spines, food packages, clothing labels, street signs, and even graffiti. They're everywhere!

All that will seem overwhelming when you learn about logophobia, the fear or terror of words. As you know, Φόβος is the Greek word for "fear," while λόγος (logos) translates as "word" or "speech." This fear can be triggered by a specific word, a type of word, or all of them.

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Believe it or not, sesquipedalophobia is the fear of long words. Ironic, isn't it?

In Latin, sesqui means "one and a half," while pedis is "foot." In Rome, there was a term for really long words: sesquipedalis, those that seemed "a foot and a half long." Over time, this Latin joke became part of the medical term.

But there's more! As if "sesquipedalophobia" wasn't long enough, the term "hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia" has emerged in recent years to describe the same fear. While the latter is not officially recognized, it seems that someone thought it would be good to exaggerate the term by adding the Latin monstrum ("monster") and hippopotamus.

Image: Towfiqu barbhuiya

Peanut butter is one of Americans' major favorites. Whether it's breakfast or any other meal, this ingredient is a staple in most of our diets. However, there are those who can't tolerate it.

If you experience sweaty palms, dizziness, discomfort, or anxiety at the mere thought of peanut butter entering your mouth, perhaps it's arachibutyrophobia.

Arachi is a Greek term related to leguminous plants such as peanuts, and βούτυρον (bouturon) means "butter." Some people associate this specific phobia with the idea of peanut butter sticking to the roof of their mouth, which triggers a fear of choking.

Image: Tim Mossholder

When it comes to looking good, hair is the key. We all know things aren't easy when it's a bad hair day, right?

While for most of us, it's as simple as going to the salon or taking some time out of our day to fix our hair, it's not so simple for others.

No one enjoys walking into the bathroom just to find a pile of loose hair scattered around. Definitely not pleasant scenery! But when dislike reaches an extreme, it can be chaetophobia, an irrational and persistent fear of hair. This name comes from the Greek χαίτη (khaitē), meaning "loose, flowing hair."

Image: Adi Goldstein

"Pennywise" is a familiar name to most of us, isn't it? Thanks to this iconic clown from Stephen King's novel and the movies based on it, we have all come to hear about coulrophobia, the fear of clowns.

While coulrophobia is quite common, there is another related phobia that is much less frequent. This is globophobia, the extreme fear of balloons, their texture, smell, the material they are made of, or the possibility of them popping. For that reason, globophobia is one of the phonophobias, associated with loud sounds.

Every day, healthy food

What does science say? Foods with proven health benefits

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All food is good in moderation, but we know some to be better than others. Green leaves, healthy fats, and nuts are all regarded as healthy—yet, are they really beneficial? What do they actually do? Let’s have a look at what science tells us.

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According to science, berries are among the most beneficial fruits. They are a source of multiple vitamins and minerals, such as Vitamin C, K, B9, manganese, magnesium, and copper. They are a good antioxidant source —meaning they help prevent cell damage— and they are proven to lower the risk of type 2 diabetes, heart attacks, and memory loss. Also, for the benefit of all wallets involved, they have the same properties after being frozen.

Image: Dominik Martin

Ginger is a common ingredient in wellness shots and teas, but what does it do? Besides being rich in antioxidants, ginger is highly beneficial for gut health. Gingerol —one of the main compounds of ginger— helps with digestion, relieves nausea symptoms, prevents food from fermenting and causing bloating, and has anti-inflammatory properties.

Image: Martin Moore

Like other fruits with a high water content —such as watermelon or strawberries— eating cantaloupe is an easy and tasty way to stay hydrated during the warmer months. But its benefits don’t stop at that: cantaloupe is also one of the fruits highest in beta-carotene, a pigment that our organism will then convert into Vitamin A, crucial for eye health and our immune system.

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Who said spices were only there for flavor? Besides enhancing the taste and appearance of dishes, they can promote health benefits. Paprika has been proven to be rich in antioxidants and beta-carotene, and, like most peppers, it has capsaicin, which helps reduce pain and inflammation.

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Adding legumes to your diet is a delicious and easy way to introduce fiber, protein, and low-calorie carbohydrates, which are beneficial for your gut health, your cholesterol, and your insulin levels. Moreover, lima beans are high in nutrients such as potassium, iron, magnesium, and manganese.

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Nuts in general are regarded as a healthy snack, and rightfully so, but why? They are a source of healthy fats, protein, and vitamins, and because they are very filling, they are a good pick-me-up. When it comes to walnuts, studies have shown that they help reduce cholesterol, control blood sugar, and promote brain health.

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Like other leafy greens, spinach is high in fiber while being low in calories. But spinach is much more than that. It’s packed full of nutrients —Vitamin A, C, K1, B6, B9, E, iron, calcium, folic acid, and potassium, to name a few— and has several plant compounds that are beneficial for your heart, blood pressure, and immune system.

Image: Natalie Kinnear

Any grandma will tell you that garlic is good for your health, and they would be right. Besides being known for its antibacterial properties, garlic also helps reduce the ‘bad’ cholesterol while increasing the ‘good’, which helps your overall blood health. It also helps regulate blood sugar levels, boosts your immune system, and promotes gut health.

Image: Brenda Godinez

Are chia seeds good for something else than pudding? They sure are! They are a great source of fiber, which contributes to gut health, digestion, and blood sugar levels, while also being high in antioxidants and omega-3, a healthy fat that our body can’t produce by itself.

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Fish in general is regarded as a healthy source of protein and healthy fats, but some people find it difficult to cook or might dislike the smell or texture of fresh fish. This is why tuna is such a great option: it’s readily available in cans, it's already cooked, and can be used in several ways, while still being as nutritious as fresh fish.