TLDR;
In this video, K. Shami and Clav debunk common "copes" or misinformation tactics circulating online regarding facial and skeletal development. They discuss why methods like thumb pulling, zyg pushing, belt pulling, NPR, sprinting, raw milk consumption, certain supplements, UUD/orbicularis oculi training, Masai jumps, and spinal dead hangs are ineffective or even harmful. They emphasize the lack of scientific evidence supporting these claims and highlight the role of natural developmental changes, such as fat redistribution and aging, in perceived transformations. They also touch on the importance of proper supplement usage and caution against misleading marketing tactics.
- Thumb pulling, zyg pushing, and belt/towel pulling are ineffective and potentially harmful for facial development.
- NPR is not effective for adults due to fused mid-palatal sutures, and there's no scientific evidence supporting its claims.
- Attributing facial changes to sprinting or raw milk is misleading; benefits are primarily due to fat loss or potential health risks.
- Many supplements are underdosed and marketed deceptively; they should complement, not replace, a healthy lifestyle.
- UUD and orbicularis oculi training are unlikely to yield permanent facial changes due to the skeletal nature of facial features.
- Masai jumps and spinal dead hangs do not promote vertical growth or lasting height increases.
Thumb Pulling and Zyg Pushing [0:16]
Thumb pulling, which involves using thumbs to widen the palate, doesn't cause bone remodeling. It only moves soft tissue and teeth, potentially leading to dental malocclusions and crooked teeth. Unlike mewing, thumb pulling requires continuous force, and any gains cease immediately upon stopping. It cannot replicate distraction osteogenesis and may cause asymmetry and dental issues due to uneven force. Zyg pushing is considered even more absurd because the zygomaticomaxillary process is connected, making it impossible to isolate and realign the zygomas through manual pressure. The bone is fused, rendering casual pressure ineffective.
Belt/Towel Pulling [1:49]
Belt pulling or towel pulling can lead to an overbite by primarily affecting the upper jaw. These methods raise dental inclination, causing teeth to jet forward in a suboptimal manner. Belt pulling can also alter the basocranial angle to a suboptimal range, posing a risk of serious damage.
NPR (Nasal Palatal Release) [2:25]
NPR is ineffective for adults because the mid-palatal sutures are already fused, preventing further growth. There is no scientific evidence supporting NPR in peer-reviewed journals, making its claims questionable. Transformations attributed to NPR are often based on frauded evidence, such as inconsistent angles and time frames. Facial definition improvements are more likely due to aging and fat loss rather than NPR.
Wishful Thinking and Debunking Transformations [3:39]
Many people attribute facial changes to specific "copes" due to wishful thinking, similar to attributing genetic success to a particular fast food. Causation does not equal correlation. Transformations are often misleading because they don't account for facial fat pad redistribution, which occurs around ages 19-20. Before-and-after pictures often show individuals at different stages of development, with younger individuals still having baby fat.
Sprinting and Hormonal Influence [4:51]
Attributing facial changes to sprinting due to hormonal spikes is inaccurate. Acute hormonal swings need to be sustained to influence facial growth. The primary benefit of sprinting is cardiovascular, and any facial changes are likely due to fat loss resulting from being in a caloric deficit.
Raw Milk and Supplements [5:41]
Raw milk poses health risks due to the lack of pasteurization, which eliminates harmful pathogens and parasites. Many supplements do not meet the minimum effective dose and are often overpriced and underdosed. Companies may white-label existing products and resell them with misleading names, which is unethical. Supplements should complement a healthy lifestyle rather than being relied upon as a sole solution.
UUD (Upper Upper Eyelid Drive) and Orbicularis Oculi Training [7:26]
Facial muscle workouts like UUD lack mechanical tension and do not result in permanent gains. UUD may temporarily create the appearance of "hunter eyes," but it offers no lasting benefit. Facial features are primarily determined by skeletal structure rather than muscular development.
Masai Jumps and Spinal Dead Hangs [8:09]
Masai jumps incorrectly apply Wolff's law, which relates to bone strengthening after microtrauma but not vertical growth. Spinal dead hangs only decompress the spine, providing temporary relief but no actual height gains. Any height increase is temporary and disappears after sitting or sleeping.