Every so often, you might come across the occasional show-off that flexes their bodies in unusual ways and claims to be “double-jointed.” But is that actually true? As it would seem, perhaps not.
Citing the contents of this video, double-jointedness is a myth. Instead, people with these hyperflexible qualities are more likely to have looser collagen in their ligaments or differently-shaped bones that permit the excess movement.
Hyperflexible people tend to exhibit shallower bone sockets, which increases the angle of movement and makes dislocation less painful. These capabilities can be advantageous in certain athletic activities or sports because they go beyond the scope of what might be considered “normal.”
But these benefits don’t come without their downfalls. Hyperflexible people also exhibit an increased risk of sprains and osteoarthritis, which results in more pain down the line. Theoretically, it could also have links to anxiety, but this remains a subject of study at this time.