What Do We Mean by “Belief in Bigfoot”
Risks or Harms with Believing in Bigfoot: Bigfoot, also called Sasquatch, is a legendary large, hairy, humanoid creature said to inhabit remote forests, especially in North America. Belief in Bigfoot means accepting that such a creature exists (or could exist), and often includes belief in anecdotal sightings, footprint evidence, mysterious audio recordings, etc.
Beliefs like this are part of wider phenomena: cryptozoology (study of hidden or mythical animals), paranormal belief, folklore & myth. They often involve:
- Eyewitness reports with little physical proof
- Interpretations of ambiguous evidence (audio, footprints, blurry photos)
- Cultural stories, folklore, television shows, internet content reinforcing the idea
While belief in Bigfoot is often harmless and part of folklore or entertainment, it can carry risks—psychological, social, financial—that aren’t always obvious. Below are some of the key harms / risks.
Psychological & Emotional Effects of False or Unverified Belief
Stress, Anxiety, Sleep Disturbances
People who believe they have encountered Bigfoot or “cryptids” sometimes report long-term emotional effects. A study by the National Cryptid Society found among people self-reporting cryptid encounters:
- Hyper-arousal responses (heart racing, panic, freeze/fight/flight reactions)
- Long-term difficulties such as nightmares, night terrors, insomnia
- Physical stress symptoms: headaches, chest pains, fatigue, immune suppression, etc.
Even those who only absorb a lot of Bigfoot content (videos, stories) might have anxiety or fear triggered — fear of the unknown, being watched, or strange noises in wilderness.
Cognitive Bias, Confirmation Bias & Distorted Perception
Belief in Bigfoot can be reinforced by cognitive biases:
- Tendency to misinterpret ambiguous sensory stimuli (shadows, noises, shapes) as evidence of Bigfoot.
- Once someone expects or wants Bigfoot, they may see “signs” more readily (confirmation bias).
- Perceptual biases have been connected with paranormal beliefs: people who believe more often mis-categorize ambiguous stimuli in ways consistent with their beliefs.
This can reduce critical thinking and lead people into believing more things based on weak or faulty evidence.
Potential Link to Psychological Vulnerabilities
Some research indicates that people who have stronger belief in paranormal or cryptozoological phenomena (like Bigfoot) sometimes also show higher levels of dissociation, depression, or traits associated with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorders (ADHD).
That doesn’t mean belief in Bigfoot causes mental illness, but in some cases people with certain vulnerabilities might be more drawn to such beliefs — which could worsen distress if they have unsettling experiences or criticism from others.
Social & Interpersonal Consequences
Ridicule, Social Stigma, Marginalization
Believing in creatures like Bigfoot can lead to others dismissing one’s opinions or labeling someone as gullible, naïve, or “crazy.” In many social settings, expressing belief in cryptids can lead to:
- Mockery or teasing
- Difficulty being taken seriously
- Isolation in debates or social groups
This social cost can affect self-esteem or mental well-being.
Strain on Relationships & Credibility
If someone spends a lot of time or money investigating Bigfoot, going to remote areas, buying gear, attending conferences, etc., this can cause tension with family, friends, or partners who see it as unrealistic or obsessive. Belief alone can affect how credible someone is perceived in other areas: work, debates, decision-making, etc.
Spread of Misinformation & Group Polarization
Belief in Bigfoot is often tied up with fringe groups, social media communities, forums, etc. In such spaces:
- Misinformation or hoaxes can spread easily
- People can get more deeply enmeshed in belief systems that reinforce each other (echo chambers)
- It may lead to distrust of mainstream science if contradictory evidence is dismissed
These social dynamics can cause someone to disregard scientific consensus, critical thinking, or evidence.
Financial & Practical Costs
Investment in Expeditions, Equipment & “Investigations”
Some Bigfoot believers spend money on hobby-level investigations: sound equipment, night vision cameras, travel to remote forests, guide services, etc. These are sometimes substantial expenses, and may not yield verifiable results. The cost vs benefit can be very low — and for some, chasing the phenomenon becomes a hobby with large expenses.
Scams, Fraudulent Evidence & Hoaxes
Because Bigfoot belief is popular, there are people who exploit that:
- Selling fake evidence, photo/video “proof”
- Offering memberships or tours promising Bigfoot sightings
- Hoaxers who produce alleged body parts, prints, “samples”
For example, Rick Dyer is a known Bigfoot hoaxer. He has claimed to kill Bigfoot, show its corpse, etc.—these claims have been repeatedly discredited.
Believers who invest in these can lose money, credibility, or become targets of exploitation.
Epistemic & Critical Thinking Risks
Holding Beliefs Against Evidence
A belief in Bigfoot often requires rejecting or dismissing evidence:
- Lack of confirmed physical bodies or scientifically verified DNA
- Inconsistency among witness descriptions
- Many alleged pieces of evidence turned out to be hoaxes or misidentifications
Holding onto belief despite lack of evidence can distort one’s sense of what is reasonable, reliable, or “true.” It may weaken skills in critical thinking, skepticism, and discernment.
Conspiracy Thinking & Distrust in Institutions
Belief in Bigfoot often comes with beliefs in cover-ups, conspiracies, or that certain institutions (government, universities, scientific bodies) are hiding the truth. While conspiracy belief is not inherently harmful, excessive distrust can lead to:
- Rejecting valid scientific or legal authority when it matters
- Difficulty evaluating source credibility
- Deepening polarization
False Sense of Certainty & Poor Decision Making
When someone holds a weakly founded belief very strongly, they may:
- Overestimate how likely Bigfoot is real
- Make risky choices (e.g. exploring dangerous terrain, going alone into wilderness)
- Neglect safety, dismiss warnings, or ignore good guidance because of belief in special knowledge or signs
Existential & Cultural Harms
Disappointment, Disillusionment & Identity Turmoil
For some, belief in Bigfoot becomes part of identity. When evidence fails to materialize, or hoaxes are exposed, believers may feel disillusioned or betrayed. A belief interwoven with identity can lead to:
- Cognitive dissonance (holding conflicting views)
- Crisis of faith in something one held dear
- Emotional distress if the community one believes in is exposed as fraudulent
Cultural Misinformation & Distortion of Folklore
Legends like Bigfoot are part of culture, folklore, indigenous stories. When popular belief misrepresents or commodifies these stories:
- It can erase or distort the original cultural meanings
- Overshadow legitimate indigenous folklore and knowledge
- Promote stereotypes or sensationalism
Opportunity Costs
Time, resources, emotional energy devoted to belief, investigation, traveling, consuming Bigfoot content could have been invested elsewhere: hobbies, study, relationships, civic work, etc. If belief consumes too much attention, it may reduce fulfillment in other areas.
Mitigating the Risks: A Balanced Approach
Belief in creatures like Bigfoot is not intrinsically harmful — many enjoy it casually, as folklore or entertainment. But extreme belief with neglect of evidence or critical reasoning can lead to the harms above. Some suggestions to reduce risk:
- Maintain skepticism and demand good evidence
Ask for physical evidence, reproducible data, peer review. Keep belief flexible. - Engage with multiple viewpoints
Read skeptical analyses, scientific reports, case studies. Comparing helps avoid echo chambers. - Limit financial / physical risk
Don’t spend beyond means, avoid unsafe adventure trips without preparation. - Protect mental health
If fear, anxiety, nightmares, insomnia arise because of belief or “encounters,” consider talking to mental health professionals. - Respect other cultural and scientific perspectives
Folklore vs science: understand the difference. Recognize value in myths, stories, but don’t confuse them with empirical fact. - Keep belief in balance with everyday life
Make sure it doesn’t dominate identity, relationships, or decision making.
Conclusion
Belief in Bigfoot taps into deep human fascination with the unknown, the wilderness, and mysterious creatures. For many people, it’s harmless folklore, a fun idea, or a way to connect with myth, nature, or community. But it isn’t without risks. Psychological stress, financial loss, social stigma, erosion of critical thinking, and cultural misrepresentation are real possibilities when belief becomes strong, unexamined, or central to identity.
Beliefs grow strongest where evidence is weak but stories are vivid. That means the choice to believe — like all beliefs — carries with it responsibility: to think critically, treat others with respect, face uncertainties honestly, and be willing to adjust beliefs in light of new evidence.
