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TIL Insulin shock therapy was used as treatment for schizophrenia. Scientists believed it could jolt the brain out of mental illness or induce the restoration of the normal function. In reality the treatment caused brain damage and a "loss of tension and hostility" that was viewed as therapeutic.

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X0JBR TIL Teeth blackening was popular around the world in times past and still practiced by a few
5e4k TIL to foster infighting and maximize power, Adolf Hitler would intentionally give contradicting orders to officers whose duties he knew would overlap.
waeM TIL that the TV series ‘Frasier’ was very influential on Seattle. Newly wealthy software millionaires asked real-estate agents for apartments with a view of the Space Needle like what Frasier Crane has. The show helped the city’s culture to change from manufacturing and grunge to what it is today.
wLppJ TIL FARC got tricked into giving up their most high profile hostage and 14 others. The Colombian army made up a NGO which would transfer captives by helicopter. Once aboard the chopper, the soldiers revealed the ruse and arrested the militants, freeing all hostages. Not a single shot was fired.
awgZJ TIL in 2014, to protest Black Friday, Cards against Humanity only sold boxes labeled "Bullshit" to Black Friday shoppers for 6 dollars each. The boxes contained actual bull feces and some dug through it looking for a new card but found nothing but feces. The profits were donated to charity.