HowStuffWorks_Conspiracy_Theories

What is a petrodollar? And why do some analysts think Uncle Sam would go to war to preserve it?

How do criminals turn dirty cash into clean money? Who helps them? And more importantly, what happens when the launderers are caught?

What if the Revolutionary War didn't happen the way it's described in textbooks? Tune in and learn why some people believe the UK still controls the US in this special collaboration with our friends at AllTime Conspiracies.

In the wake of September 11th intelligence agencies pressed for new, powerful laws, including the Patriot Act. But what is it, exactly, and why do some people think it has little to do with terrorism?

Could LSD treat alcoholism? What does ketamine have to do with heroin? Join Ben and Matt to learn more about the intriguing relationship between hallucinogens and recovery from addiction.

You've probably heard some of the accusations regarding recent tragedies -- that the official story is wrong, and aspects of certain events are either misrepresented or staged completely. But could that be true? What are 'crisis actors?"

Since 9/11 the F.B.I. has prevented several terrorist attacks, but some critics believe there's more to the story. Tune in to learn more about the line between sting operations and entrapment -- and why some believe the F.B.I. is crossing it.

We hear about this mysterious force all the time in fiction and film -- but what is it actually supposed to be? Is there any evidence that it might be real?

When US forces finally tracked down terrorist leader Osama bin Laden -- living in Pakistan, likely with support of the ISI -- he was killed and, according to the official story, buried at sea. So why doesn't everyone believe this is true?

The School of the Americas was famous for training South American soldiers. Supporters believed the school provided operational support for forces that advanced democracy and US interests. Opponents claimed the US trained criminals.

Congress is one of the most powerful - and, arguably, one of the most misunderstood - institutions in the U.S. But what happens behind the scenes?

Cannibalism, also known as anthropophagy, is an ancient practice. But there are multiple types and they are not all created equally.

In the early hours of February 25th, 1942, air raid sirens resounded across Los Angeles, California. The military fired roughly 1500 anti-aircraft machine gun rounds and artillery shells at some unknown object in the sky. So what really happened?

How many psychopaths actually exist? Are they more common than studies would have you believe? Is it possible you've met one without knowing it?

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, or UAVs, have fundamentally changed the nature of warfare. But who controls them? What are they doing, and why? Tune in to learn more Stuff They Don't Want You To Know about drones.

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have changed the nature of war. But where are they flying, and what are they doing? The answers might surprise you. Tune in to learn the Stuff They Don't Want You To Know about drones in the second part of this series.

In 1978, hundreds of Peoples Temple members committed mass suicide by swallowing poison at Jim Jones' command. But how did this happen? Why do some people believe it was part of a government plot? Tune in to learn more about Jim Jones and Leo Ryan.

From Shangri-La to Cuidad Blanca and the legendary desert city of Ubar, human civilization is full of stories about legendary lost cities. But is there a grain of truth in any of these myths? Tune in to learn more about lost cities and archaeology .

Audiences around the United States (and the world) tune in to watch the presidential debates. No one denies that the debates are important, but why do some groups think the debates are corrupt? Tune in to learn more.

With growing furor over government surveillance, more and more internet users are taking steps to preserve anonymity online - and, to some casual surfers, the wild west days of the net are over. Or are they? Tune in to learn more.

Is it really possible for entire civilizations to disappear? Is there any truth to the rumors of lost cities in the jungles and beneath the waves? Tune in to learn more about lost civilizations from Atlantis to Troy and beyond.

The world's major drugmakers have saved billions of lives, but they've also been accused of unethical behavior. When it comes to 'Big Pharma,' there's no shortage of theories about corruption, price-fixing, and monopolization, but are any true?

What could fMRI, EEG and SSI have to with selling products to unsuspecting consumers? Join Ben and Matt as they take a closer look at the science behind neuromarketing.

It's no secret that the US government and the Black Panthers didn't get along, but what exactly happened? Tune in to learn more about the Black Panthers, the FBI and a secret program called COINTELPRO.

Hugo Chavez was no stranger to coup d'états - he attempted to launch one himself in 1992. However, for about 48 hours in 2002, he was overthrown and no longer considered the President of Venezuela. Tune in to learn more about his rule.