HowStuffWorks_Conspiracy_Theories

Although sightings of the Chupacabra were first reported in Puerto Rico, eyewitness reports soon began to arrive from across the Americas. But what exactly is this thing? Is it even real? Learn the craziest Chupacabra conspiracy theories in this episode.

Over the past decades, the CIA has been accused of everything from selling guns to assassinating people. Yet that's not the craziest part: Some people believe the CIA is actually replacing its enemies. Tune in and learn more in this episode.

It seems that every few years a new moral panic sweeps through society -- and, often, video games get blamed for perceived rises in crime and violence. But is there any solid evidence supporting that? How do video games affect the human brain?

People have told vampire legends for thousands of years, and the monster's image has continuously changed over time. You already know that some people believe in vampires -- but what kind? Listen in and learn more about energy vampires.

Although law enforcement professionals around the world do their best to prevent killers, thieves and other criminals from walking free, they don't always succeed. Tune in and learn about 3 notorious criminals who got away with it.

In 1966, two men were found dead in Brazil's Vintém Hill, wearing coats and lead masks. There were towels, an empty bottle of water and a notebook with bizarre messages inside. To this day, no one's sure how they died. So what happened?

Most people have heard the most popular lunar conspiracy theory -- that no one actually landed on the moon -- but what about the rest? Tune in to learn more about other moon-based conspiracy theories, including lunar structures and UFO sightings.

When Muammar Gaddafi's regime fell, the Libyan rebels quickly set up new infrastructure, including a central bank and an oil company. These moves - as well as questions about the rebel movement - have fueled numerous conspiracy theories.

In light of the passing of former Venezuelan President, Hugo Chavez, questions have arisen surrounding his death due to cancer. The most notable of these being: Was he murdered?

Could human consciousness break away from its physical bindings and traverse the space-time continuum? Did the Sony Corporation prove that extrasensory perception is real? Could our future actions have predictable effects on our past?

If there's no inarguable evidence of sophisticated life on Mars, then what about bacterial life? And what about the people who say humanity has already discovered alien life - and our leaders are keeping it secret?

Are there any ongoing, unethical human experimentation projects? Did any of the projects mentioned in the previous episode lead to progress in modern medicine? What's the future of human experimentation? Tune in to learn more with Ben and Matt.

It's an understatement to say that firearm legislation is controversial in the United States. With both sides accusing the other of distorting the facts, who's correct? Tune in to learn more about gun control in the first part of our series.

For centuries human beings have searched for intelligent life beyond the bounds of Earth - and, often, humanity has looked to our planetary neighbor in hopes of discovering that life. But why do people think there was (or is) life on Mars?

The balance between freedom and security sways precariously in the best of times, and in a world consumed with the idea of never-ending terrorism, the United States has curtailed some of their citizen's rights. But how exactly? And is this legal?

Edward Snowden isn't the first former employee to raise concerns about the NSA's surveillance programs. Tune in to learn more about past whistleblowers, ongoing concerns, and why even NSA employees may be in the dark about the agency's actions.

In the wake of recent tragedies like the one at Sandy Hook Elementary, there have been numerous gun control conspiracies. Take a closer look into how these occur in light of tragic shootings.

For centuries, humans have tried and failed to achieve physical immortality. Rumors have abounded throughout history, but did anyone actually achieve eternal life? Tune in to learn more about modern medicine and the bizarre story of Henrietta Lacks.

Aleister Crowley is one of recent history's most notorious (and self-styled) magicians. What did he do, exactly? And, perhaps most importantly, did Aleister ever achieve anything beyond scientific explanation? Tune in to learn more.

In the decades following the 1947 Roswell crash, researchers investigated rumors of classified government projects, UFOs and mysterious wreckage. Some scholars believe they've found an explanation: the top-secret program known as MOGUL.

Ghost-hunting has recently enjoyed a resurgence in modern pop culture, but the practice of attempting to communicate with the dead dates back into antiquity. Tune in to learn about the controversy surrounding ghost hunting and the science of spirits.

Are the effects of pollution exagerrated? Are they under-reported? What about agencies like the EPA, which are charged with protecting Earth - and people - from effects of pollution? Tune in to learn more Stuff They Don't Want You To Know.

The Constitution is one of the most important documents in the history of United States, and it's also the subject of numerous fringe theories, allegations, rumors and dirty secrets. But what are they, exactly?

Nowadays many people are familiar with the legend of the Philadelphia Experiment -- but how did it all begin? Who is Carlos Allende? Tune in and learn more in this episode.

Unfortunately, unethical human experimentation wasn't restricted to wartime or the ancient past. Tune in to learn more about unethical experimentation in the modern age, on unsuspecting civilians.