The TikTok Truth

TikTok lettuce sleep aid advice

The
TikTok
Truth

Experts are disproving some popular trending theories

Mark Twain famously said, “a lie can travel around the world and back again while the truth is lacing up its boots.” The same could certainly be said for the popular half-truths floating around social media.

TikTok, in addition to becoming a launchpad for viral dances and challenges, has quickly become the go-to spot for tips and tricks on everything from health to travel.

For instance, the #lettucewater hashtag—based on a natural sleep aid—has spawned hundreds of videos and garnered more than 31 million views. But a sleep expert debunked it for the New York Times.

A doctor had to explain to Insider why the latest TikTok trend of stuffing garlic up your nose to relieve congestion is a terrible idea. How popular is it? The most commonly associated hashtag with the craze, “#garlicinnose,” has a total of over 50 million views. Turns out, it can cause serious inflammation (who knew?).

And a pilot just spoke out against the tips on “how to survive a plane crash,” that—no surprise—are not based in any truth. Moral of the story? Enjoy the videos but exercise caution where TikTok advice is involved.

The
Smart Way to Start Your Day

The Daily Valet. is your cheat sheet to what's happening, what's cool and what's making headlines. It's your secret to being the most interesting man in the room.

Meanwhile

Retailers are cashing in by turning viral TikTok moments into serious sales.

How It All Began ...

How It All Began ...

TikTok app icon
TikTok app icon

The app was initially released as Douyin in China in September 2016, then launched globally two years later as TikTok after merging with a similar app called Musical.ly.

Advertisement