# Freak shows **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 12, 2000, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freak-shows/45185 "2000-12-12T16:50:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Dignan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f07891/32.png) [@Dignan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dignan)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2000, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freak-shows/45185/1 "2000-12-12T16:50:32Z")
OK, I saw the dude on the Daily Show and he was pounding a spike into his nose. It reminded me of something I was thinking about when I saw a show about freak shows on TLC. I was wondering how those guys can drive nails into their noses? I don’t want to try it, I’m just wondering how it’s possible, if it’s a birth defect and how they learn they have the ability to do it. Any other info about freak shows is welcome. ---
**Author:** ![Dignan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f07891/32.png) [@Dignan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dignan)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2001, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freak-shows/45185/2 "2001-08-20T04:07:31Z")
It’s been 8 months, and I’m still curious about how this is done. Does anyone know??? ---
**Author:** ![Padeye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@Padeye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Padeye)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2001, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freak-shows/45185/3 "2001-08-20T04:10:12Z")
They just may be less sensitive to putting things in their sinus cavities. Not sure but it may help to have one’s adnoids out. Putting a feeding tube down through a patient’s nose is routine but extremely unpleasant for the patient. ---
**Author:** ![evilhanz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba8739/32.png) [@evilhanz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/evilhanz)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2001, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freak-shows/45185/4 "2001-08-20T04:16:47Z")
alt.magic.secrets is the place to look for answers to these types of questions. If you don’t have access to a NNTP server, visit the archives at Google’s Deja. I found [this thread](http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&newwindow=1&safe=off&th=fb8d8755e8247b41,26&seekm=3A2C2967.C1B19A40%40juggler.net#p) on the first try. Here’s the relevant section: > [@](#): > > I do this trick. You don’t nead to break anything, but it looks better if you tell people that you do. (Kinda like the myth that you need to dislocate your shoulder inorder to get out of a strait jacket) Plus it stops stupid people trying it and hurting themselves. > > The key thing to remember is that the nails dont go vertically up your nose, they go more horizontal, into your nose. If you must try it, use a clean nail, and don’t start off by hitting it with a hammer. Breathe slowly, and insert the nail a bit at a time first, become comfortable with the feeling of metal in your nasal cavity. Put it in a bit, take it out SLOWLY, get used to this. When you have done this once, sit back and think about what you are doing. > > Be aware that there are nerves in your nose which if damaged can lead to blindness. (My piercer knows people who have gone blind in one eye due to a badly placed nasal piercing - so go carefull!) > > Only ever use a hammer when you are comfortable with slowly inserting the nail, and when you know the limit of your nasal capacity. If it hurts - don’t do it, youre doing it wrong. > > The best advice I could give would be the same advice I give when people ask me about fire breathing/eating (which I also perform) > > A) DONT DO IT > B) If you must do it, LEARN IN THE PRESENCE OF SOMEONE WHO ALREADY CAN DO IT > C) DONT DO IT WITHOUT READING AS MUCH AS YOU CAN ON THE MATTER (I spent 3 years researching fire breathing techniques before I went near any fuel, and 2 years researching the nail thing) > D) DONT DO IT It should go without saying that you should NOT attempt this. ---
**Author:** ![psychomonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/dec6dc/32.png) [@psychomonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychomonkey)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2001, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freak-shows/45185/5 "2001-08-20T04:40:56Z")
While you dont have to break anything, it helps to stretch out the cavity gradualy. Once again do NOT, do this. It can be very dangerous. Performers of this stunt are prone to sinus infections, and random bleeding, not cool. -PSM