Don’t assume that “lying has no impact on health.” Psychologists reveal that frequent lying has serious consequences on both mental and physical health, weakening the body over time. It is true that everyone lies at some point in life, whether frequently or occasionally. Most people believe that small lies are harmless because they don’t hurt anyone, but the reality is far different.
1. There Is No Such Thing as a “Harmless Lie”
As mentioned earlier, everyone lies—some people lie more frequently than others. According to psychological research by Fran Walfis, statistics show that “on average, Americans (adults and children alike) lie about 11 times per week.”
Walfis adds, “Most of us lie to hide unpleasant truths, to make ourselves feel better, or to avoid problems, blame, or criticism from others. People often lie to maintain harmony, so others don’t get upset with them.”
This raises the question: “Is lying without hurting anyone truly harmless?” Psychologists argue that lying, regardless of the intent, always has consequences. Dr. Anita Kelly (University of Notre Dame) explains that “big or small, every lie has an impact because it undermines trust and violates the expectation of honesty in relationships.”
2. Frequent Lying Weakens the Body
Dr. Anita Kelly from the University of Notre Dame also reveals that “lying can lead to anxiety, stress, frequent headaches, nasal congestion, diarrhea, or even back pain.” Changing one’s lifestyle to embrace honesty improves both mental and physical health over time.
To confirm this, researchers from the University of Notre Dame conducted a study involving 110 participants aged 18 to 71 over 10 weeks. Half of the participants agreed to avoid lying (even so-called harmless lies), while the other half continued as usual. The study found that participants who practiced honesty experienced fewer mental health issues (such as anxiety and sadness) and fewer physical problems (like headaches or sore throats) than the others.
Additionally, people who avoided lying reported feeling happier and experiencing improved social relationships. Fran Walfis explains, “Knowing that lying is a bad habit and trying to hide lies creates anxiety and mental complexity because people fear being exposed. This leads to greater stress, anxiety, and insecurity.”
Dr. Karim, a psychologist from UCLA’s Semel Institute for Neuroscience, agrees: “Feelings of guilt, stress, and anxiety resulting from lying can negatively affect the body. Initially, stress can disrupt the immune system, leaving the body weaker. Honesty, on the other hand, promotes both physical and mental well-being by eliminating feelings of guilt, stress, and disappointment.”
Source: Bestie / Translated and edited by Knongsrok