⚠️This fact has been debunked
This is a widely-repeated internet myth with no scientific backing. No peer-reviewed studies have measured caloric expenditure from this activity. The claim appears across trivia websites and listicles but lacks any credible source. Additionally, repetitive head movements would burn minimal calories beyond resting metabolic rate.
Banging your head against a wall uses 150 calories an hour.
Does Banging Your Head Really Burn 150 Calories?
You've probably seen this "fun fact" floating around the internet: banging your head against a wall burns 150 calories an hour. It sounds specific enough to be true, right? Wrong. This claim is pure fiction—a perfect example of how made-up statistics can spread like wildfire online when they sound quirky enough.
There's zero scientific evidence backing this number. No peer-reviewed study has ever measured the caloric expenditure of repetitive head-banging. The claim appears across countless trivia websites, listicles, and social media posts, but not a single one cites an actual research paper or credible source.
Why This Myth Won't Die
The "150 calories" figure is oddly specific, which makes it feel legitimate. Our brains love concrete numbers—they seem authoritative even when they're completely fabricated. This fact also has that perfect shareability factor: it's weird, it's slightly absurd, and it makes people laugh.
But here's the reality: head movements burn almost no calories beyond your resting metabolic rate. Your head weighs about 10-11 pounds, and while moving it does require some energy, the amount is negligible. For context, sitting quietly burns roughly 60-80 calories per hour for an average adult. Light activities like typing or casual walking burn 100-200 calories per hour.
How Calories Actually Work
Calorie burn depends on several factors: your body weight, muscle mass, activity intensity, and duration. Scientists measure this using something called MET values (Metabolic Equivalent of Task). One MET equals the energy you burn sitting still—about 1 calorie per kilogram of body weight per hour.
Vigorous activities have high MET values:
- Running at 6 mph: 10 METs (about 600 calories/hour for a 150-lb person)
- Swimming laps: 8 METs (around 480 calories/hour)
- Vigorous dancing: 7 METs (roughly 420 calories/hour)
- Brisk walking: 4 METs (about 240 calories/hour)
Notice a pattern? Activities that burn significant calories involve large muscle groups working continuously. Your neck muscles simply can't generate that kind of energy expenditure.
If head-banging actually burned 150 calories per hour, it would rank somewhere between brisk walking and light jogging—absurd for such a small, localized movement.
The Real Damage
While this myth won't hurt your diet, actual head-banging definitely hurts your head. Repeatedly striking your skull against a hard surface can cause concussions, traumatic brain injuries, skull fractures, and chronic headaches. Even "minor" impacts add up over time, potentially leading to long-term cognitive issues.
So no, you can't diet by giving yourself a concussion. The only thing you'll burn is brain cells.
Where Do These Facts Come From?
Made-up statistics like this often originate from comedy websites, satirical posts, or simple mistakes that snowball. Someone invents a funny "fact," shares it without a source, and suddenly it's gospel truth on Pinterest. The internet amplifies believable-sounding nonsense faster than fact-checkers can debunk it.
The lesson? Always check the source. If a claim sounds too weird to be true and doesn't cite actual research, it's probably someone's creative writing exercise that escaped into the wild.