HoldsUp

Chris Williamson · 2026-08-27 · Chris Williamson (host), Kanika Batra

Female Psychopath Explains How She Manipulates Men - Kanika Batra

21 research-tied claims examined: 2 contradicted 3 overstated 1 context 5 supported 10 unverified

2

Contradicted by research

0:17:20Kanika Batracontradictedmoderate

An overdose of 15 amitriptyline tablets is inherently lethal.

"I took 15 pills. So 15 amitriptylines, which really is actually lethal." (said at 0:17:20)

Amitriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant associated with notable overdose toxicity (including arrhythmias, hypotension, and seizures), but ingesting 15 tablets is not inherently or universally lethal. Tablet strengths commonly range from 10 mg to 50 mg (and up to 150 mg). Ingesting 15 tablets of standard lower formulations (such as 10 mg or 25 mg) corresponds to 150 mg to 375 mg, which spans standard daily therapeutic dosing up to mild-to-moderate toxicity. Severe life-threatening toxicity typically occurs at doses exceeding 10 mg/kg to 20 mg/kg (often >1,000 mg in an adult), and clinical toxicology series demonstrate that the vast majority of patients survive acute ingestions with prompt supportive care.

1:18:13Chris Williamson (host)contradictedhigh

Women are better at detecting lies and are better liars than men.

"Women are better lie detectors. They're also better liars." (said at 1:18:13)

Large-scale meta-analyses investigating individual differences in deception detection and deceptive ability contradict the claim that women are superior lie detectors or better liars. In a comprehensive meta-analysis evaluating 247 samples by Bond and DePaulo (2008), differences between individual judges in the ability to detect lies were found to be minute (measurement-corrected standard deviations < 1%), with judges performing no differently from chance expectations. Furthermore, extensive meta-analytic synthesis of deception studies across 206 documents and over 24,000 judges (Bond & DePaulo, 2006) demonstrates that human lie detection accuracy hovers around 54% (barely above chance) with no meaningful individual or demographic superiority, including between men and women.

3

Overstated

0:03:02Kanika Batraoverstatedmoderate

Factor 1 psychopaths lack anxiety and fear responses, whereas Factor 2 psychopaths experience high anxiety, violent tendencies, and aggressive impulses.

"So factor one completely lacks anxiety and has no fear response, which is me. Factor two is they do get a lot of anxiety. They get very violent. They're very aggressive." (said at 0:03:02)

Psychological and psychophysiological research supports the general distinction between Factor 1 (interpersonal/affective traits, often termed primary psychopathy) and Factor 2 (impulsive/antisocial behavior, often termed secondary psychopathy). A meta-analysis of psychopathy dimensions found that Factor 1 is negatively correlated with both fear and anxiety, whereas Factor 2 is positively correlated with anxiety and externalizing behaviors. Physiological studies similarly show reduced autonomic reactivity to aversive threats in Factor 1 dimensions and heightened stress/negative reactivity in Factor 2. However, stating that Factor 1 individuals "completely" lack anxiety and have "no fear response" is an overstatement of relative blunting and statistical negative correlations, rather than an absolute absence of all emotional or physiological response.

1:19:25Kanika Batraoverstatedmoderate

Men are far more likely than women to exhibit Machiavellianism, with a prevalence of approximately 1 in 20 (5%) in men compared to 1 in 100 (1%) in women.

"The thing is this: men are far more likely to be Machiavellian. Far more likely. It's like one in 20 for men. It's like one in 100 for women." (said at 1:19:25)

Machiavellianism is studied as a continuous subclinical personality trait (measured via standardized scales such as the Mach-IV or Dark Triad instruments) rather than a categorical disorder with defined prevalence cutoffs (e.g., 5% vs 1%). While meta-analytic evidence confirms that men score slightly higher on Dark Triad traits including Machiavellianism than women, the difference is modest (small-to-moderate effect size) and described as 'somewhat more prevalent among men than women', rather than representing a 5-to-1 ratio or discrete prevalence figures.

1:34:07Kanika Batraoverstatedlow

Individuals with psychopathy do not experience contagious yawning, contagious smiling, or contagious laughter.

"Then you could do a simple test like the yawn test, smile test. We don't yawn when you yawn. We don't smile. Laughing isn't contagious for us." (said at 1:34:07)

Published experimental and neuroimaging research shows that psychopathic traits are statistically associated with reduced susceptibility to emotional and motor contagion—including contagious yawning, laughter, and facial mimicry—relative to control groups. However, the speaker frames this as an absolute absence ("We don't yawn when you yawn. We don't smile. Laughing isn't contagious for us") and suggests it can serve as a definitive diagnostic test. In reality, these are modest, population-level statistical associations across continuous traits, not an absolute binary trait or a valid diagnostic screening tool.

1

Needs context

1:49:38Kanika Batraneeds contextmoderate

Eastern Orthodox Church services require standing for the duration without pews, and adherents fast on Wednesdays and Fridays.

"You have to stand for 2 hours for the service. There's no you don't sit down. There's no pews. Um, you have to fast Wednesdays and Fridays." (said at 1:49:38)

The speaker's statement reflects traditional Eastern Orthodox Christian practices, but overgeneralizes them as absolute, invariable rules. In Eastern Orthodox tradition, weekly fasting on Wednesdays and Fridays (traditionally commemorating Christ's betrayal and crucifixion by abstaining from meat, dairy, and animal products, except during specific fast-free periods) is standard canonical practice, though individual adherence varies and exceptions exist for medical or personal circumstances. Regarding worship posture, traditional Eastern Orthodox church architecture omits pews to allow freedom of movement, veneration, and standing as the primary liturgical posture during services (which often last 1.5 to 2 hours). However, traditional churches typically provide wall-mounted stalls (stasidia) or perimeter seating for the elderly and infirm, and many contemporary Orthodox parishes—particularly in North America and across the Greek diaspora—routinely feature pews and permit sitting during specific portions of the service.

5

Supported by research

0:02:43Kanika Batrasupportedhigh

Sociopath is not an official medical diagnosis in the DSM, but rather a colloquial term for antisocial personality disorder.

"Sociopath isn't a diagnosis. It's more a colloquial term for antisocial personality disorder." (said at 0:02:43)

The speaker's statement is accurate. In the psychiatric literature and official diagnostic classifications (such as the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, DSM-5 / DSM-5-TR), "sociopath" or "sociopathy" is not an official clinical diagnosis. Instead, the formal diagnostic entity for individuals characterized by a pervasive pattern of disregard for and violation of the rights of others, impulsivity, and lack of remorse is Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD). Terms like "sociopathy" and "psychopathy" are historical or colloquial descriptors often used in informal, legal, or criminological contexts rather than formal DSM diagnostic categories.

  • supports: Update on Antisocial Personality Disorder. (Current psychiatry reports 2024) · cited 4x in the literature
    "Antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) is a characterized by lifelong or recurrent behavioral problems that begin in childhood or early adolescence. This communication provides an overview on ASPD including findings from recent reviews and new research. With regard to DSM-5's Section III Alternative Model of Personality Disorder criteria for ASPD, advocates point to the broader symptom coverage and harmonization with ICD-11; yet critics point to the lack of evidence for improved outcomes." (abstract, passage verified)
    pubmedfull study (doi)
  • supports: Clinicians' Assessment of Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD): A Network Analysis Appro… (Personality and mental health 2025) · cited 3x in the literature
    "Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD) is a personality disorder that entails significant impairments and/or costs at the individual, interpersonal, and community levels. Given its clinical relevance, scientific research is placing a significant focus on the study of the central characteristics of this condition to guide prevention and clinical practice. Within this framework, the present study aimed to investigate the associations and centrality of ASPD criteria and maladaptive trait domains in mental health professionals' conceptualization of the disorder, thus taking into account both categorical and dimensional approaches to personality pathology." (abstract, passage verified)
    pubmedfull study (doi)
0:06:21Kanika Batrasupportedhigh

Thalassemia is a blood disorder where bone marrow fails to produce adequate red blood cells, necessitating blood transfusions every three to four weeks.

"I also had thalassemia. So, it's a blood disorder where my bone marrow can't produce its own red blood cells. So I have to get transfusions every three to four weeks" (said at 0:06:21)

Thalassemia is an inherited genetic blood disorder characterized by defective hemoglobin synthesis, leading to ineffective erythropoiesis where the bone marrow cannot produce sufficient mature, functional red blood cells. In severe forms (transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia or thalassemia major), patients require lifelong red blood cell transfusions typically administered every 2 to 4 weeks (commonly every 3 to 4 weeks) to manage severe chronic anemia.

0:21:07Chris Williamson (host)supportedmoderate

Function testing analyzes over 160 lab markers across hormones, heart, and kidney health, and detects early signals associated with over 50 types of cancer.

"Function gives you access to more than 160 advanced lab tests spanning hormones, heart health, kidney function, and even detects early signals linked to more than 50 types of cancer." (said at 0:21:07)

Commercial health platforms such as Function Health offer broad diagnostic panels (evaluating >160 routine and advanced biomarkers across endocrine, cardiovascular, and renal domains) and partner with multi-cancer early detection (MCED) cell-free DNA platforms (such as the Galleri assay). Large validation studies confirm that targeted methylation-based MCED testing detects cancer signals originating from more than 50 distinct cancer types with high specificity (>99%), although sensitivity is substantially lower for early-stage malignancies (e.g., ~17% in stage I) compared to advanced stages.

0:06:07Kanika Batrasupportedhigh

Childhood conduct disorder with callous and unemotional traits acts as a precursor to antisocial personality disorder.

"pretty early on I had conduct disorder and I had callous and unemotional traits. That's I guess that's why I got the antisocial personality disorder. It kind of is a precursor to that." (said at 0:06:07)

Childhood and adolescent conduct disorder (CD), particularly when accompanied by callous-unemotional (CU) traits, is well-established as a primary developmental precursor to adult antisocial personality disorder (ASPD). DSM-5 diagnostic criteria require evidence of Conduct Disorder before age 15 for a diagnosis of ASPD, and CU traits (incorporated into DSM-5 as the 'with limited prosocial emotions' specifier) designate a high-risk subtype associated with persistent antisocial trajectories into early adulthood.

0:48:41Kanika Batrasupportedhigh

A genuine (Duchenne) smile is characterized by muscle activation and crinkling around the eyes in addition to movement of the mouth.

"And if you'll notice, there's no Duchenne smile. Like when so when it's a genuine smile, you'll see it up here as well. Like there'll be crinkles there. Like his stays entirely here. And so he's not being genuine at all." (said at 0:48:41)

A Duchenne smile is defined in facial expression research by the combined activation of the zygomaticus major muscle (which pulls the lip corners up) and the orbicularis oculi muscle (which orbits the eye, raising the cheeks and producing crinkling or crow's feet). Seminal and modern experimental research demonstrates that orbicularis oculi activation during smiling is uniquely associated with genuine positive emotional experience and enjoyment, distinguishing it from non-Duchenne or feigned smiling.

10

No source found (not proven false)

0:21:18Chris Williamson (host)unverifiedvery low

A standard annual physical typically includes testing of roughly 20 biomarker panels or markers.

"To put that in perspective, your typical annual physical might test 20 markers. Function runs over 160." (said at 0:21:18)

No published record matching the claim that a standard annual physical typically tests roughly 20 biomarker markers was located; this does not prove the claim false. Routine preventive health guidelines for asymptomatic adults generally emphasize targeted screening based on age and risk profile rather than recommending a fixed or standardized panel of blood laboratory tests.

0:38:26Kanika Batraunverifiedvery low

Katherine Knight was the first Australian woman to be sentenced to life imprisonment without parole.

"she's an Australian woman. First woman to get um life in prison without parole because she ended up—so she killed her boyfriend because he didn't want to get married and he—she stabbed him like a hundred and something times. Then she skinned him like a full skin suit and hung him up by the door. And then she cut off his head and, sorry, um it was on the stove and she cut off his like meaty parts and cooked them." (said at 0:38:26)

No published record matching the claim that Katherine Knight was the first Australian woman sentenced to life imprisonment without parole was located; this does not prove the claim false.

0:48:06Chris Williamson (host)unverifiedvery low

Serial killer Rodney Alcala was convicted of seven murders, with investigators estimating his victim count may reach up to 130.

"And lucky for her, because Alcala would later be found guilty of seven murders. Investigators believe he may have actually killed up to 130 victims based on photos found on his property." (said at 0:48:06)

No published record matching the claim that Rodney Alcala was convicted of seven murders and estimated by investigators to have killed up to 130 victims based on photographs found in his possession was located; this does not prove the claim false.

0:50:53Kanika Batraunverifiedvery low

Psychiatric literature, such as the paper 'The Hidden Suffering of the Psychopath', demonstrates that individuals with psychopathy can experience loneliness, grief, and emotional suffering.

"Like there's this—there's an article that I mention a lot, "The Hidden Suffering of the Psychopath," and it shows how lonely psychopaths get even if they're dating multiple people. Like even say Ted—that's why they believe that, you know, they believe that psychopaths can feel grief and love and whatnot." (said at 0:50:53)

No published record matching the specific paper or empirical claim in indexed biomedical databases was located; this does not prove the claim false.

1:12:08Chris Williamson (host)unverifiedvery low

Shopify powers 10% of all e-commerce in the United States.

"They power 10% of all e-commerce in the United States" (said at 1:12:08)

No published record matching the claim that Shopify powers 10% of all e-commerce in the United States was located; this does not prove the claim false.

1:12:15Chris Williamson (host)unverifiedvery low

Shopify's checkout conversion rate is 36% higher on average compared to other e-commerce platforms.

"Their checkout's 36% better on average compared to other platforms" (said at 1:12:15)

No published record matching the claim that Shopify's checkout conversion rate is 36% higher on average compared to other e-commerce platforms was located; this does not prove the claim false.

1:12:20Chris Williamson (host)unverifiedvery low

Using Shop Pay can boost checkout conversion rates by 50%.

"and with Shop Pay, can boost conversions by 50%." (said at 1:12:20)

No published record matching the claim that using Shop Pay can boost checkout conversion rates by 50% was located; this does not prove the claim false. Numerical claims regarding checkout conversion boosts from proprietary digital wallet solutions typically stem from internal company data, commercial whitepapers, or marketing analyses rather than peer-reviewed academic literature.

1:34:30Kanika Batraunverifiedvery low

Serial killer Dennis Rader (BTK) did not rape the women he murdered because he claimed it would be cheating on his wife.

"BTK, Dennis Rader—no, he was a serial killer, bind, torture, kill—yeah, he wouldn't rape the women that he killed because he said that would be cheating on his wife." (said at 1:34:30)

No published scholarly record matching the claim that Dennis Rader (BTK) refrained from sexual assault/rape of his murder victims to avoid cheating on his wife was located; this does not prove the claim false. While scholarly analyses of Rader's psychopathology and murder cases exist (e.g., W4225279654), published records discussing this specific moral justification or sexual restraint rationale regarding his wife were not identified in the indexed academic literature.

1:34:40Kanika Batraunverifiedvery low

Serial killer Ed Kemper claimed that while he killed his victim, he never hit her.

"And what's it, Ed Kemper was like, 'Yeah, I killed her, but I never hit her.'" (said at 1:34:40)

No published record matching the claim that Edmund Kemper stated he killed his victim but never hit her was located; this does not prove the claim false.

1:35:10Kanika Batraunverifiedvery low

When a person lies and successfully gets away with it, they typically display a subtle involuntary smile (duping delight).

"Like usually when you lie and get away with it, there's like a little bit of a smile coming up, and like I don't know what the direct term for it is, but that's really really something you'll see." (said at 1:35:10)

No published record matching the claim that individuals typically display a subtle involuntary smile ("duping delight") when successfully lying was located; this does not prove the claim false.

Unverified means no publication matching the claim was located; it does not prove the claim false. Spotted an error? See the corrections policy - disputes from the people quoted are prioritized.