Today’s Bonus: Knowledge Gets Weird!The 1973 horror film “The Exorcist” literally caused audience members to die from heart attacks during screenings across the world! At least 4 people died from cardiac arrest while watching the movie, and over 100 people fainted or had to be hospitalized. Theaters hired nurses and ambulances to stand by during showings because the medical emergencies became so frequent. Some cities banned the film entirely after multiple deaths, and several theaters reported people having seizures, panic attacks, and complete psychological breakdowns. The movie’s realistic special effects and disturbing imagery triggered such intense physiological responses that doctors studied “Exorcist Syndrome” – a condition where people experienced genuine physical symptoms from fictional horror. One pregnant woman claimed the movie caused her to have a miscarriage, leading to a lawsuit against the studio. The film’s director received death threats from people who believed he was promoting actual demonic possession. Even more bizarre: some audience members reported experiencing paranormal activity at home after watching the film, leading psychologists to study whether extreme fear could make people more susceptible to hallucinations and supernatural beliefs.