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Science Vs
Science Vs
Spotify Studios

There are a lot of fads, blogs and strong opinions, but then there’s SCIENCE. Science Vs is the show from Gimlet that... more

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Episodes

Fiber: The Secret to a Healthier, Happier You?

We hear about fiber as the main ingredient for a good poo. But we’re starting to hear that it’s much... more

31 Oct 2024 · 39 minutes
Ghosts: The Science of Spooky Encounters

About 40 percent of Americans believe in ghosts, and one in five even say they've had an encounter with one!... more

24 Oct 2024 · 46 minutes
Climate Crisis: We're Solving It?!

The climate is a mess. It's hot. There's fires, floods, hurricanes — and we may have even crossed some rather... more

21 Oct 2024 · 41 minutes
Menopause: The Myths and the Madness

Something is coming for 4 billion people on this planet, and if you've been watching the news — it's horrifying.... more

17 Oct 2024 · 46 minutes
The Keto Diet: Can It Supercharge Your Brain and Body?

The ketogenic diet has been booming for years, with people swearing that it boosts their brainpower — maybe even helping... more

10 Oct 2024 · 38 minutes
Microplastics: How Worried Should You Be?

Microplastics have been turning up in our blood, our lungs, and even our balls! But exactly what are they doing... more

03 Oct 2024 · 43 minutes
The Time the Protesters Won

A group of teenagers and college kids were fed up with the lousy healthcare in their New York neighborhood. So... more

26 Sep 2024 · 41 minutes
Have We Crossed the Climate Tipping Point?

Headlines are screaming that the world is about to reach a climate tipping point, which feels like a point of... more

19 Sep 2024 · 45 minutes
Social Media: Is It Rotting Your Brain?

Social media. Many of us don’t feel very good when we’re on it, and yet we sometimes spend hours a... more

12 Sep 2024 · 49 minutes
Coming Up On Science Vs [VIDEO]

We will be BACK with brand-new episodes in just one week! Join us for pun-packed science romps on microplastics, social... more

05 Sep 2024 · 3 minutes
Ask Wendy Anything: Behind the Scenes at Science Vs [VIDEO]

We asked you all: Do you have questions for Wendy and the Science Vs team? And oh boy, did you... more

08 Aug 2024 · 36 minutes
When the Olympics Wants You to Take Drugs

Since the beginning of women’s sports, there has been a struggle over who qualifies for the women’s category. So this... more

01 Aug 2024 · 37 minutes
Hydration: Are You Drinking Enough Water?

[REBROADCAST] Celebs and wellness blogs treat water like a magic elixir that will make us the most attractive and healthiest... more

25 Jul 2024 · 42 minutes
Mind-Blowing Orgasms: Does the Male G-Spot Exist?

We’re hearing stories of people having amazing, cosmic orgasms. So what buttons are they pressing to do this?? Well, it's... more

20 Jun 2024 · 42 minutes
Protein: Are You Getting Enough?

Protein influencers are big right now, telling us that we're probably missing out on the protein we need — and... more

13 Jun 2024 · 33 minutes
Introducing The Journal: Trillion Dollar Shot

Today we’re presenting Trillion Dollar Shot, a new series that explores the business story behind the rise of Ozempic and... more

11 Jun 2024 · 41 minutes
Trans Kids’ Healthcare: Are We Getting It Wrong?

Health care for trans kids has been in the spotlight, with battles over what the science says and tons of... more

06 Jun 2024 · 37 minutes
The Great Dinosaur Smashup

More than 150 years ago, just before dino-mania struck, New York City was supposed to get a majestic dinosaur museum... more

30 May 2024 · 35 minutes
The Abortion Pill: How Dangerous Is It Really?

The Abortion Pill is now the most common way to have an abortion in the US. Yet what exactly happens... more

23 May 2024 · 38 minutes
What the Hell Is at the Edge of Space?

With the powers of the James Webb Space Telescope, scientists discovered some super weird things in the early Universe, and... more

16 May 2024 · 21 minutes
Heartbreak: Why It Feels So Achy Breaky

Getting your heart broken sucks — and for some of us, it even feels physically painful. So why does it... more

09 May 2024 · 28 minutes
Tig Notaro Shares Her Favorite Jokes

Comedian Tig Notaro, who just released her fifth comedy special, "Hello Again," joins us for a chat about the science... more

07 May 2024 · 22 minutes
The Funniest Joke in the World

If you Google "The Funniest Joke in the World," you'll be very disappointed. The internet might serve you something like,... more

02 May 2024 · 56 minutes
Wendy Talks About Her Pyromaniac Past — and More [Video]

[Video available on Spotify] Wendy and emma chamberlain of the Anything Goes podcast sit down for a chat and get... more

25 Apr 2024 · 1 hour, 10 minutes
Hormone Balancing: Should You Try It?

Tons of us are feeling run-down and crummy and are wondering: What can we do about it? Well, lots of... more

18 Apr 2024 · 36 minutes
Murder in the Ivory Tower

It’s 1849, and a gruesome murder has just happened at Harvard. As body parts turn up, the science of the... more

11 Apr 2024 · 32 minutes
Cannabis: I Get High With a Little Help From … Science

Weed has gone mainstream, and it's been rebranded as a wellness drug that you can customize to fit your needs.... more

04 Apr 2024 · 45 minutes
Intermittent Fasting: Hungry for Facts?

Fasting diets are going bonkers right now — some tech bros are down to one meal a day! And health-fluencers... more

28 Mar 2024 · 33 minutes
Dreams: What Could They Mean?

Dreaming might be the weirdest thing that our brains do. Out of thin air we may see ourselves battling a... more

21 Mar 2024 · 44 minutes
Ozempic: Is It Scarier Than We Thought?

We looked at this class of weight loss drugs a year ago, and they've only gotten more popular — and... more

14 Mar 2024 · 40 minutes
Anti-Aging: Can We Be Forever Young?

We’ve been hunting for the fountain of youth for millennia, but if you go online, it looks like the search... more

07 Mar 2024 · 35 minutes
Get Ready for Our BIGGEST SEASON EVER

Strap in, nerds: New Science Vs episodes are coming! This season, we’re diving into the science of longevity, cannabis, hormone... more

29 Feb 2024 · 3 minutes
Ayahuasca: WTF is up with DMT?

DMT might be the weirdest drug in the already weird world of psychedelics. It’s the active ingredient in ayahuasca, but... more

14 Dec 2023 · 48 minutes
Personality Tests: Who Are You Really?

Personality tests like the MBTI are all over the internet, the workplace, and dating apps — but some say it’s... more

07 Dec 2023 · 44 minutes
Caffeine: How Much is Too Much?

Caffeine is a drug that tons of us take every day. But is that a bad thing? And if we... more

30 Nov 2023 · 42 minutes
MDMA: Can Ecstasy Cure Your Agony?

Molly, ecstasy, MDMA: whatever you call it, this drug is blowing up. Some say MDMA can be a legitimate medicine... more

23 Nov 2023 · 43 minutes
Pssst!! The Science of Gossip

We all know gossip can be bad — but some of us still can’t seem to get enough of it.... more

16 Nov 2023 · 39 minutes
When Your Eyes See Lies

A dead man with a bitten penis and perplexing DNA, a terrifying syndrome where everything around you appears in miniature,... more

09 Nov 2023 · 53 minutes
Sleep: How Do We Get More?

Not sleeping enough turning you into a monster? In one of our most popular episodes, we bring you the cutting-edge... more

02 Nov 2023 · 32 minutes
Seed Oils: Is Your Canola Oil Killing You?

We’ve been told that foods like butter and bacon are bad for us — because they're packed with saturated fats.... more

26 Oct 2023 · 43 minutes
UFOs: The Truth Is Right Here

A whistleblower claims that the U.S. government is covering up what it knows about aliens on Earth, and several military... more

19 Oct 2023 · 43 minutes
Andrew Huberman on Supplements, the Covid Lab Leak Theory and more

Andrew Huberman is a skate punk turned neuroscientist, and he hosts one of the most popular podcasts in the U.S.:... more

12 Oct 2023 · 41 minutes
Self-Care: Can You Hack Your Mood?

Can plunging into an ice bath make us feel happier? What about gratitude journaling? We’re digging into some of the... more

05 Oct 2023 · 38 minutes
Why Fossil Nerds Are Pissed Right Now

The smash hit Netflix documentary “Unknown: Cave of Bones” has kicked off an all-out science brawl. The film makes extraordinary... more

28 Sep 2023 · 52 minutes
Vaping: Is It Really That Bad?

More and more people are puffing on vapes — but some governments are making moves to ban them. So how... more

21 Sep 2023 · 41 minutes
Breathwork: A Bunch of Hot Air?

The latest hot new trend is: breathing. Yeah, that’s right — there are claims that so-called breathwork can cure depression... more

14 Sep 2023 · 43 minutes
We're Back! And Boldly Going Where We've Never Gone Before

Brand-new episodes will drop starting next week! Stay tuned for science deep dives on breathing and breathwork, seed oils (what... more

07 Sep 2023 · 2 minutes
The Best Ever Episode of Science Vs

This week – our episode that you voted as our BEST wild card episode!! You’ll have to listen to find... more

24 Aug 2023 · 44 minutes
Orgasms: Your Favorite Sex Episode!

Here’s the episode you picked as our best sex and sexual health episode: Orgasms! There’s this idea that the female... more

17 Aug 2023 · 38 minutes
Exercise: Your Favorite Wellness Episode!

Here’s the episode you voted as our best wellness episode: Exercise! Lots of people hit the gym to shed unwanted... more

10 Aug 2023 · 31 minutes
Magic Mushrooms: Your Favorite Drugs Episode!

Here’s the episode you voted as our best drug episode: Magic Mushrooms! People are saying that shrooms cured their depression... more

03 Aug 2023 · 37 minutes
Behind the Scenes of ‘Oppenheimer’

Today we're going behind the scenes of Christopher Nolan's blockbuster film “Oppenheimer.” Professor David Saltzberg, one of the scientists who... more

27 Jul 2023 · 29 minutes
How Bats Break Science

Many bats can live a bizarrely long time, and brush off viruses that kill people. How do they do it... more

20 Jul 2023 · 25 minutes
Sex Drive: The Dirrrrrrty Science

Tons of people struggle to get revved up about sex. It can mess with their relationships and how they feel... more

29 Jun 2023 · 40 minutes
Who Killed Affordable Housing?

Housing has gotten SO expensive — for many of us, buying something seems totally out of reach. And even renting... more

22 Jun 2023 · 35 minutes
Gluten: Should You Give It Up?

Going gluten-free is all the rage — we hear it’s the secret hack to being more healthy, even if you... more

15 Jun 2023 · 36 minutes
AI: Is It Out Of Control?

Artificial Intelligence seems more human-like and capable than ever before — but how did it get so good so quickly?... more

08 Jun 2023 · 42 minutes
Blue Balls: A Ball-Faced Lie?

We join forces with Sarah Marshall from You’re Wrong About to dive into a question for the ages: Blue balls... more

01 Jun 2023 · 40 minutes
The Dentist: Toss the Floss? Flush the Brush?

The dentist tells us to floss, brush, avoid certain food and drinks ... but what actually matters when it comes... more

25 May 2023 · 36 minutes
Skin Care: Is Anti-Aging a Scam?

When it comes to keeping our skin looking younger, what works? Retinol, hyaluronic acid, vitamin C? This simple question has... more

18 May 2023 · 36 minutes
Did We Predict the Pandemic?

Just two months before Covid-19 broke out, we made a fictional pandemic episode that was like “Contagion” but with citations.... more

11 May 2023 · 49 minutes
I’ll Be Dammed: Beavers Fighting Climate Change

Today, we give a dam about beavers. These busy rodents don’t just chill and go with the flow — it... more

04 May 2023 · 18 minutes
Ketamine: How Special is Special K?

For years, ketamine has been thought of mostly as a horse tranquilizer — or a street drug that puts you... more

27 Apr 2023 · 32 minutes
Pit Bulls: Bad to the Bone?

Pit bulls have a dark reputation. And some people say the science backs this up: that they bite people more... more

20 Apr 2023 · 37 minutes
Superbugs: Apocalypse … Now?

Imagine getting an infection, going to the doctor, and having no little pill to make you better. Welcome to a... more

13 Apr 2023 · 38 minutes
Hangovers: What Really Helps?

What actually cures a hangover? Water? Crushed up Advil? Maybe a burger, fries and a Diet Coke? We wanted to... more

06 Apr 2023 · 18 minutes
Alcohol: Time to Put a Cork in It?

For decades we’ve been yanked around over alcohol: one day it’s actually good for us, the next day it’s a... more

30 Mar 2023 · 32 minutes
Weight Loss Meds: Is Ozempic a Miracle Drug?

People say drugs like Ozempic are helping them lose tons of weight. But are these drugs really all they’re cracked... more

23 Mar 2023 · 41 minutes
Nerds, Assemble! Science Vs Is Back

We’ve got the goods on weight loss drugs, ketamine, pit bulls, skincare and more! Come for the science, stay for... more

16 Mar 2023 · 3 minutes
Listen to Science Vs in Spanish!

Science Vs has gone bilingual! La Ciencia Vs is the Spanish-language version of the show, and today we’re introducing the... more

09 Feb 2023 · 36 minutes
Adderall: What's It Doing to Your Brain?

There’s an Adderall shortage across the U.S., and it’s causing huge problems for people with ADHD. But on the flip... more

09 Dec 2022 · 33 minutes
When Science and Superstitions Collide

This is the THIRTEENTH season of the show! So we’re diving into stories about superstitions and luck. We’ll share the... more

02 Dec 2022 · 40 minutes
Hypnosis: Does It Really Work?

What is hypnosis? Is it mind control? Are some people just faking? We’re revisiting this episode in which we explore... more

17 Nov 2022 · 39 minutes
Deodorant: Is It Dangerous?

Today, we’re diving into your armpits! We’ll find out why some of us are so freaking smelly. And then we’re... more

10 Nov 2022 · 34 minutes
The Male Pill: When Is It Coming?

A male birth control pill has been this big tease for decades. And today, with the overturning of Roe v.... more

03 Nov 2022 · 30 minutes
The Mystery of the Man Who Died Twice

A dead body turns up with a stolen identity. We tell the story of how a grandmother tracked down the... more

20 Oct 2022 · 41 minutes
Mass Shootings: How Do We Stop Them?

Buffalo. Uvalde. Highland Park. These mass shootings keep happening. One side says the problem is the guns, and the other... more

13 Oct 2022 · 44 minutes
Should We Compost Human Bodies?

What's the greenest way to die? Some nerds are saying that our bodies should go the way of our veggie... more

06 Oct 2022 · 44 minutes
The Fight to Fix a Racist Medical Gadget

The EEG is an incredibly important medical tool — and it’s been failing Black patients for decades. So today we’ll... more

22 Sep 2022 · 36 minutes
Vegans: Are They Right?

Do vegans have a right to be so smug? We’re finding out whether it really is better for the environment,... more

15 Sep 2022 · 33 minutes
Hydration: Are You Drinking Enough Water?

Celebs and wellness blogs treat water like a magic elixir that will make us the most attractive and healthiest version... more

08 Sep 2022 · 45 minutes
We're Back for Season THIRTEEN

There’s tons of misinformation, fads and strong opinions floating around out there — but then there’s SCIENCE. Season 13 starts... more

01 Sep 2022 · 2 minutes
Fauci on Monkeypox: What Went Wrong

We called up Dr. Anthony Fauci to talk about monkeypox. We wanted to know — what’s the deal with the... more

03 Aug 2022 · 18 minutes
Monkeypox: What's Going On?

Monkeypox has been spreading around the world. So … what exactly is this disease? How worried should we be, and... more

02 Aug 2022 · 43 minutes
Abortion: The Science and the Supreme Court

Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. And in their opinion, we found a lot of scientific-sounding... more

30 Jun 2022 · 47 minutes
Nightmare on Science Street

Today, we’re sharing a collection of spooky science stories. You’ll hear about a nightmare in the ocean, a nightmare on... more

09 Jun 2022 · 45 minutes
Placebo: Can the Mind Cure You?

[REBROADCAST] Could fake medicine actually take away your pain or treat a disease? We dig into the science of placebos... more

02 Jun 2022 · 37 minutes
A Mystery in the Air

When a little girl, Ella Kissi-Debrah, suddenly got sick and landed in the hospital, doctors were stumped. In this episode,... more

26 May 2022 · 40 minutes
ASMR: How Whispering Hijacks the Brain

ASMR is huge. People say these videos of someone whispering or making soft sounds can make them feel all tingly... more

12 May 2022 · 42 minutes
Serial Killers: The Mind of a Murderer

[REBROADCAST] What makes a serial killer? What drives them to kill again and again? To find out the truth about... more

05 May 2022 · 35 minutes
Ultra-Processed Foods: A Load of Baloney?

We hear over and over that ultra-processed food is bad for us. But is there actually something funky going on... more

28 Apr 2022 · 41 minutes
Ivermectin: The Story of a Wonder Drug

Today, we’re digging into the weird and wooly world of ivermectin. When promising papers came out early in the pandemic,... more

21 Apr 2022 · 56 minutes
Spotify and Misinformation: An Update!

Today on the show an update about our push to get Spotify to do more to stop misinformation spreading on... more

15 Apr 2022 · 2 minutes
The Abortion Underground

REBROADCAST. The Supreme Court is set to rule on a major abortion case this year, and the court could decide... more

07 Apr 2022 · 44 minutes
Ukrainian War: Fighting Russia's Propaganda Machine

Russia attacked Ukraine more than a month ago — and the war has raged ever since. From the beginning, Russia... more

29 Mar 2022 · 40 minutes
Ancient Aliens: Who Really Built the Pyramids?

[REBROADCAST] Is it possible that the pyramids were built with a helping hand ... from aliens? If not, how did... more

24 Mar 2022 · 33 minutes
Trans Kids: The Misinformation Battle

U.S. politicians are trying to keep trans kids from getting the medical care they need to transition — and states are... more

18 Mar 2022 · 51 minutes
Here’s What’s Coming Up!

There’s tons of misinformation, fads and strong opinions floating around out there — but then there’s SCIENCE. Find it here! Learn... more

11 Mar 2022 · 1 minute
Misinformation: What Should Our Tech Overlords Do?

After Joe Rogan was accused of spreading Covid-19 vaccine misinformation on his podcast, Spotify landed in the hot seat. People... more

25 Feb 2022 · 46 minutes
Joe Rogan: The Malone Interview

Recently, Joe Rogan aired an interview that scientists are up in arms about — with Dr. Robert Malone. Malone talked... more

05 Feb 2022 · 43 minutes
The Moon: Why Are We Really Going Back?

The moon race is back! Countries — and billionaires — are lining up to take a crack at returning to... more

10 Dec 2021 · 37 minutes
Fauci on How This Ends

Dr. Anthony Fauci sits down with us to talk about omicron, how this pandemic actually ends — and how he’s... more

04 Dec 2021 · 17 minutes
Omicron: Do You Need to Freak Out?

Welp, the pandemic has served up yet another poop sandwich, and it’s called omicron. This variant is popping up in... more

03 Dec 2021 · 42 minutes
Presenting Gastropod: How Chilis Conquered the World

This week we’ve got a spicy treat for you: a show called Gastropod. Hosts Nicola Twilley and Cynthia Graber dig... more

25 Nov 2021 · 50 minutes
Jurassic Park: Hold On to Your Butts

Could our dreams for a real Jurassic Park come true? Headlines say scientists are closer than ever to resurrecting prehistoric... more

18 Nov 2021 · 40 minutes
Killer Asteroids: NASA Strikes Back

[REBROADCAST] Asteroids! In just two weeks, NASA plans to launch a first-of-its-kind mission to try to move an asteroid off... more

11 Nov 2021 · 36 minutes
Monkey Say What? LEOPARD!!

Science isn’t always dressed up in fancy lab coats and goggles — sometimes it goes undercover! In this episode, we... more

04 Nov 2021 · 11 minutes
Chronic Pain: Can Our Brains Fix It?

People with chronic pain often struggle with it for years while doctors scour their bodies for the cause. But are... more

28 Oct 2021 · 32 minutes
The Legendary Condom Queen

Dr. Joycelyn Elders is a total badass. She grew up in poverty in rural Arkansas, but in 1993 she rose... more

21 Oct 2021 · 37 minutes
Burnout: Can We Fix Work?

Work can really suck. And for lots of us, burnout has been feeling especially terrible. This week, we dive into... more

14 Oct 2021 · 37 minutes
Blue Balls: You're Wrong About Them

We join forces with Sarah Marshall from You’re Wrong About to dive into a question for the ages: Blue balls... more

07 Oct 2021 · 43 minutes
True Love: Is Monogamy Unnatural?

[REBROADCAST] Are humans built for monogamy? Or is the idea of having one partner forever just a myth forced on... more

30 Sep 2021 · 41 minutes
The Secret World of Plants

Plants aren’t just sitting around looking cute; they’re doing all sorts of stuff, like defending themselves, and even warning other... more

28 Sep 2021 · 11 minutes
Childbirth: Are Doctors Messing It Up?

Childbirth seems to be getting more and more medicalized, with C-sections and other interventions out the wazoo. But childbirth isn’t... more

23 Sep 2021 · 40 minutes
Weight: Is Fat Unhealthy?

We’re hearing nonstop chatter about the “quarantine 15.” But should we really care if we put on weight? Is fat... more

16 Sep 2021 · 34 minutes
Therapy: Does It Work?

Our mental health has taken a turn for the worse the past couple of years. We keep hearing that therapy... more

09 Sep 2021 · 35 minutes
Let’s Do Science Again!!

There are a lot of fads, blogs and strong opinions, but then there’s SCIENCE. Season 11 starts Sept. 9! Learn more... more

02 Sep 2021 · 2 minutes
Presenting Not Past It: The Vax That Got Axed

Today, we’re sharing an episode of a show we love: Not Past It. ​​Did you know there was almost an... more

19 Aug 2021 · 34 minutes
The Delta Variant: How Bad Is It?

This delta variant of the coronavirus seems to really be screwing us over. Cases are spiking in the U.S., and... more

10 Aug 2021 · 25 minutes
Pet Food: How Fancy Should They Feast?

There are soooo many options for what to feed your dog or cat, from the cheap stuff at the supermarket... more

27 May 2021 · 40 minutes
The G Spot: Come Again?

We’re heading into a big summer, with more places and — ahem — people opening up. So we’re revisiting one... more

20 May 2021 · 41 minutes
Back From the Dead

Today we're telling tales that push life to the ultimate limit. We're bringing things back from the dead, diving into... more

14 May 2021 · 42 minutes
A Seedy, Late-Night Adventure

Today, under cover of darkness, we're hunting buried treasure. This is a wild romp through one of the oldest science... more

06 May 2021 · 36 minutes
Screens: Are They Ruining Our Brains and Mental Health and Eyes and

Tons of us are spending waaaayyy more time using screens these days — and it’s freaking us out. We’ve got... more

29 Apr 2021 · 41 minutes
Havana Syndrome: Did a Secret Weapon Fry Diplomats' Brains?

Back in 2016, U.S. Embassy workers in Cuba were struck by a mysterious noise, followed by symptoms like headaches, dizziness... more

22 Apr 2021 · 44 minutes
How Science Created Morons

REBROADCAST: This episode looks at how one of the worst ideas in science got a big push from a bad... more

08 Apr 2021 · 38 minutes
Coronavirus: How Scary Are the Variants?

UPDATE 4/13/21: Since this episode published, there has been some evidence linking the Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccine to rare... more

02 Apr 2021 · 36 minutes
Snake Bite Cures: Weasels, Pigeons, Pee

Venomous snakes entranced medieval Europe. And although bites were rare, this didn’t stop 14th century doctors from using everything but... more

30 Mar 2021 · 5 minutes
SNAKES!!!

Snake venom is a wily beast. It's packed with hundreds of toxins that can attack our blood vessels, muscles and... more

25 Mar 2021 · 36 minutes
UFOs: Through the Wormhole Again

In 2017, a weird-looking space object called ʻOumuamua whipped past our sun. Now a Harvard scientist is suggesting it miiiight... more

18 Mar 2021 · 39 minutes
Brood X: A Drug-fueled Cicada Orgy

Parts of the U.S. are about to see a surge of cicadas — masses of flying bugs, popping up all... more

12 Mar 2021 · 36 minutes
Immune Boosting: Is It a Bust?

Internet influencers have been pushing “immune boosters” during the pandemic — claiming they’ve got just the pill, berry or brew... more

05 Mar 2021 · 38 minutes
Bringing the Science Back, Baby!

There are a lot of fads, blogs and strong opinions, but then there’s SCIENCE. Season 10 starts March 4! Learn more... more

25 Feb 2021 · 2 minutes
Butterflies Are Secret Monsters

Butterflies flit through life as the pride and joy of the insect world. But when we saw photos of butterflies... more

28 Jan 2021 · 6 minutes
Presenting Coronavirus: Fact Vs. Fiction

This week, we’re sharing an episode of Coronavirus: Fact Vs. Fiction, a podcast from CNN. This episode is The Hunt... more

21 Jan 2021 · 18 minutes
Magic Mushrooms: Trip Through the Science

Magic mushrooms have hit the headlines, with people saying that shrooms cured their depression and anxiety. But is this for... more

10 Dec 2020 · 40 minutes
Coronavirus: More Scared or Less Scared?

MINI EPISODE! Tons of new science means fresh answers on a few things that really freaked us out at the... more

07 Dec 2020 · 7 minutes
Coronavirus: Shots! Shots! Shots!

There’s a ton of hoopla over these new coronavirus vaccines. But given that they’ve been produced at warp speed —... more

03 Dec 2020 · 35 minutes
Did the CIA do it? Part II

When a deadly pig virus hit Cuba in 1971, some claimed the CIA was behind it all. But could it... more

19 Nov 2020 · 35 minutes
Did the CIA Plant a Virus in Cuba?

When the Cuban government rounded up and killed thousands of pigs in 1971, people were angry and confused. Castro claimed... more

13 Nov 2020 · 33 minutes
Platypuses Get a Glow Up

The eccentric platypus has always turned heads, and now it’s got something else up its sleeve. We talked with mammalogist... more

05 Nov 2020 · 5 minutes
Reparations: How Could It Work?

The idea of paying Black Americans reparations for slavery has been around for a long time, but it’s starting to... more

30 Oct 2020 · 34 minutes
Supervolcanoes: Is Yellowstone Gonna Blow?

We keep hearing that a Yellowstone supervolcano could blow at any moment — and possibly wipe us all out. So... more

22 Oct 2020 · 30 minutes
Science Vs Presents: How to Save a Planet

We’re sharing another great Gimlet show, How to Save a Planet. On this episode: It started with students walking out... more

15 Oct 2020 · 42 minutes
Lab-Grown Meat: We Grill It

Silicon Valley seems to be constantly pumping out "solutions" to fix our broken food system. The latest and greatest: cell-cultured... more

08 Oct 2020 · 35 minutes
Hunting an Invisible Killer

An adventuring Swedish doctor takes on a decades-long medical mystery: What exactly was the 1918 flu? We talk to Dr.... more

02 Oct 2020 · 39 minutes
Orgasms: Come for the Science

There’s this idea that the female orgasm is a complicated riddle, but for a man with a penis, getting off... more

25 Sep 2020 · 42 minutes
SHARKS!!! Sink Your Teeth in Again

NOTE: This episode first published 6/13/19. Are sharks the super-predators we think they are? Or have we been baited with... more

10 Sep 2020 · 42 minutes
Astrology: Are Geminis the Worst?

For centuries, people have been looking to the stars to tell us all kinds of things — what our future... more

03 Sep 2020 · 28 minutes
Mini Mask Update

MASKS. Since the early days of the pandemic, it’s been tough to nail down how much they can really do... more

01 Sep 2020 · 4 minutes
Probiotics: Scam or Superfood?

Kombucha, kefir and other probiotic-crammed foods are marketed as charmers of the human microbiome — and the key to immune,... more

27 Aug 2020 · 35 minutes
New Season! Time for Non-Coronavirus Content

Science Vs is back August 27th. Fact you next week! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

20 Aug 2020 · 1 minute
Coronavirus: Are We Back Where We Started?

We’re six months into this coronavirus pandemic, which has shaken the world and stunned scientists. What have we learned? Where... more

03 Jul 2020 · 37 minutes
Fauci! He’s Back!

Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, member of the White House Coronavirus Task... more

23 Jun 2020 · 24 minutes
Coronavirus: Dude, Where's My Vaccine?

All through the pandemic, we’ve been waiting for a possible silver bullet: a vaccine. How soon could we actually get... more

19 Jun 2020 · 32 minutes
Coronavirus: Weirdest Virus Ever?

The coronavirus seems to cause symptoms all over our body, from nose to toes. So how can one virus do... more

12 Jun 2020 · 29 minutes
Coronavirus: Protesting in a Pandemic

Hundreds of thousands of people have joined the global protest movement sparked by the death of George Floyd. And a... more

09 Jun 2020 · 24 minutes
Coronavirus: Labs Go Dark

Life is on pause for many of us right now. But scientists don’t want to stop! Researchers have had to... more

29 May 2020 · 30 minutes
Coronavirus: Sweden Goes Rogue

While a lot of countries have put in strict measures, like lockdowns, to stop the coronavirus, there’s been a conspicuous... more

22 May 2020 · 29 minutes
Coronavirus: The Mask Wars

When the pandemic started, we were told not to bother with masks. But now it looks like experts have done... more

15 May 2020 · 31 minutes
Coronavirus: Pregnant in a Pandemic

How bad is the coronavirus for pregnant people and babies? Producer Meryl Horn is digging into this question for today’s... more

08 May 2020 · 28 minutes
Coronavirus: Was It Made In a Lab?

Since the outbreak started, we’ve been hearing that this coronavirus came from bats before jumping to humans. But recently, claims... more

24 Apr 2020 · 28 minutes
Working Out From Home — in 7 Minutes? [Rebroadcast]

Social distancing has made it harder for a lot of us to get exercise. So we’re revisiting our episode on... more

20 Apr 2020 · 14 minutes
Coronavirus: Can You Get It Twice?

We’re hearing stories of people getting this coronavirus, recovering, and then getting it again. So what’s going on: Does getting... more

17 Apr 2020 · 31 minutes
Coronavirus: When Will It End?

In the U.S. we've been social distancing for a few weeks now, and the question on everyone’s mind is: When... more

10 Apr 2020 · 24 minutes
Coronavirus: Should I Disinfect EVERYTHING?

There are reports that the coronavirus can survive on surfaces for days. So how careful should we be about cleaning... more

07 Apr 2020 · 29 minutes
Coronavirus: Is It Airborne?

We’re hearing conflicting things about how the coronavirus spreads — is it through coughs and sneezes only? Or could it... more

03 Apr 2020 · 26 minutes
Coronavirus: Are Young People Safe?

From the early days of this coronavirus outbreak, it’s looked like the disease is way worse for older people. But... more

31 Mar 2020 · 27 minutes
Coronavirus: Will Chloroquine Save Us?

President Trump says an anti-malarial drug could be a “gift from god” for treating Covid-19. Does it really work? And... more

27 Mar 2020 · 27 minutes
Coronavirus: Unmasking the Facts and Ibuprofen Scares

Healthcare workers across the U.S. are saying they don’t have enough protective gear to keep them safe against the coronavirus.... more

24 Mar 2020 · 27 minutes
Coronavirus: A Story From the Front Lines

As Covid-19 cases rise in the U.S., healthcare workers are already struggling to keep up. In a different kind of... more

19 Mar 2020 · 23 minutes
Coronavirus: What Should You Do Now?

The coronavirus pandemic is here, and in the U.S., this is starting to get very real. We talk to people... more

16 Mar 2020 · 28 minutes
More Science Vs Coming Right Up

Science Vs is back March 19th. Fact you next week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

12 Mar 2020 · 1 minute
Coronavirus: Fears and Facts

The new coronavirus continues to spread around the world, and it’s already killed several people in the U.S. People are... more

04 Mar 2020 · 28 minutes
Coronavirus Outbreak: How Scared Should You Be?

A new virus showed up in China late last year, and it’s making its way to other countries too. So... more

31 Jan 2020 · 28 minutes
How to Stop A Killer Asteroid

This week — asteroids. Could a space rock really slam into us and destroy the world? And if we did... more

20 Dec 2019 · 36 minutes
Healthcare: How Do We Fix It?

American healthcare has big problems. Some say the solution is Medicare For All: one government plan for everybody. But others... more

13 Dec 2019 · 38 minutes
Ants: Tales from the Underground

On today’s show, three f-ant-astic stories of survival, friendship and courage about some of the most underrated creatures in the... more

05 Dec 2019 · 34 minutes
Police Shootings: The Data and the Damage Done

It’s been five years since the high profile shootings of several unarmed black teenagers and men launched the Black Lives... more

22 Nov 2019 · 37 minutes
When a Hospital becomes The Butcher Shop

A group of teenagers and college kids were fed up with the lousy healthcare in their neighborhood. So they decided... more

15 Nov 2019 · 41 minutes
Sleep: All Aboard the Snooze Cruise!

Not sleeping enough turning you into a monster? Cutting-edge science helps us understand why. And we sort through the fads... more

08 Nov 2019 · 36 minutes
5G: Welcome to the Revolution?

How should we feel about 5G? Is it a breakthrough technology that will revolutionize our world, or in a bid... more

31 Oct 2019 · 39 minutes
Vaping: What the Hell is Going On?!

Vaping is all the rage in the U.S., but young people are turning up at hospitals barely able to breathe.... more

25 Oct 2019 · 37 minutes
PANDEMIC!!!

If a pandemic ripped across the world, how bad would it really get? You’ve heard the horror stories, but you’ve... more

11 Oct 2019 · 39 minutes
Heartbreak: Why does it hurt so bad?

We’ve all been dumped, but some of us have felt physically sick from a heartbreak -- sometimes really sick. Neuroscientist... more

03 Oct 2019 · 19 minutes
Football: Should We Cancel It?

America’s favorite pastime seems to be plagued by tragedy. Former NFL players have come forward to say they’re suffering from... more

27 Sep 2019 · 31 minutes
Exercise: Fat Buster or Belly Flop?

Lots of people hit the gym to shed unwanted pounds, but they don’t always see results on the scale. This... more

19 Sep 2019 · 35 minutes
Let's...science...AGAIN!

Science Vs is back September 19th. Fact you next week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

12 Sep 2019 · 1 minute
The Dinosaur Explosion

Why are there so many new, weird dinosaurs? Friend of the show Joel Werner goes down the rabbit hole, and... more

08 Aug 2019 · 25 minutes
How Bad Science Killed A President

When President Garfield was shot by an assassin in 1881, the best and brightest in medicine and science did everything... more

06 Jun 2019 · 31 minutes
Peanuts: Public Enemy No. 1?

Peanut allergy in children has been on the rise since the 1990s. What’s to blame? We find a clue in... more

30 May 2019 · 17 minutes
The Abortion Underground

Before Roe v. Wade, there were thousands of illegal abortions in the U.S. every year. Some of these were incredibly... more

23 May 2019 · 42 minutes
Placebo: Can the Mind Cure You?

Could fake medicine actually take away your pain or treat a disease? We dig into the science of placebos to... more

09 May 2019 · 34 minutes
Vaccines: Time for a Booster Shot [Rebroadcast]

Autism, seizures, and overloaded immune systems - could these really be side effects of vaccines? From the archives, we bring... more

02 May 2019 · 41 minutes
Fertility Cliff: Is It Real?

We’re often told to have kids quickly, before our biological clock strikes and we fall off the fertility cliff. This... more

25 Apr 2019 · 44 minutes
Race: Can We See It In Our DNA?

For decades, we've heard that race is a social and cultural idea — not scientific. But with the changing world... more

19 Apr 2019 · 37 minutes
DNA Kits: Can You Trust Them?

Millions of people are sending off their DNA to companies like Ancestry.com and 23andme to find out where they come... more

12 Apr 2019 · 38 minutes
Pets on Planes: Are Emotional Support Animals Legit?

Can petting Fluffy or Fido help with anxiety on planes? Or are emotional support animals a load of croc? We... more

04 Apr 2019 · 12 minutes
Fasting Diets: What's the Skinny?

Fasting diets are all the rage right now and health-fluencers claim it can help you lose weight, live longer and... more

29 Mar 2019 · 29 minutes
Science's Rotten Underbelly

During a golden age for scientific progress, a group of scientists were given free rein to do whatever they wanted... more

22 Mar 2019 · 37 minutes
Alcohol: A Pour Decision?

For decades we’ve been told that having a glass or two of wine is good for you. But recently there’ve... more

15 Mar 2019 · 33 minutes
We're back next week!

Season 6 is on it's way, fellow nerds! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

07 Mar 2019 · 1 minute
The Mystery of the Man Who Died Twice

A dead body turns up with a stolen identity. This week, we tell the story of how a grandmother tracked... more

20 Dec 2018 · 43 minutes
The Science Of Being Transgender

Recently we’ve been hearing a lot about transgender identity. That made us wonder… what makes us the gender that we... more

13 Dec 2018 · 40 minutes
The Wank Worm: How NASA Got Hacked

Before WikiLeaks, there was the Wank Worm. In this week’s episode, we tell you the story of how Australian hackers... more

06 Dec 2018 · 32 minutes
Ancient Aliens: Who Really Built the Pyramids?

Is it possible that the pyramids were built with a helping hand... from aliens? If not, how on Earth did... more

29 Nov 2018 · 34 minutes
7 Minute Workout: Fit or Fad?

The 7 Minute Workout is all the rage, but can working out for just 7 minutes really do anything? To... more

21 Nov 2018 · 10 minutes
CBD: Weed Wonder Drug?

CBD mania is in full swing and people are using it for just about anything, but what is this chemical... more

15 Nov 2018 · 36 minutes
Election Special: Immigration

In the final installment of our election series, we tackle immigration: the #1 concern of Americans as they head to... more

02 Nov 2018 · 40 minutes
Election Special: Climate Change

Recently we've been warned that climate change is scarier than ever -- and that we are to blame. Yet surveys... more

01 Nov 2018 · 49 minutes
Election Special: Abortion

The battle over abortion is fast becoming one of the key issues of the midterm election. And in this battle... more

31 Oct 2018 · 47 minutes
Election Special: Gun Violence

After 11 people were shot and killed in a Pittsburgh synagogue over the weekend, mass shootings are back in the... more

30 Oct 2018 · 36 minutes
Online Dating: Can Science Find You Love?

Online dating can feel like drudgery… can science help you game the system? And do those matching algorithms actually work?... more

26 Oct 2018 · 38 minutes
Murder Mystery: An 1850s Whodunnit

It’s 1849, and a gruesome murder has just happened at Harvard. As body parts turn up, the science of the... more

18 Oct 2018 · 37 minutes
Gentrification: What's Really Happening?

You’ve probably heard that gentrification changes neighborhoods for the worse: first come the hipsters and then the bankers. Soon, the... more

11 Oct 2018 · 35 minutes
Soy, Almond, Oat Milks: Are They Udder Bull?

Moooove over, dairy milk: the alternative milk craze is here. But are they more than just a frothy fad? To... more

04 Oct 2018 · 11 minutes
Vegans: Are They Right?

Do vegans have a right to be so smug? This week we find out whether it really is better for... more

27 Sep 2018 · 31 minutes
Essential Oils: Science or Snake Oil?

Essential Oils - and their claims - are huge right now. But is it all hype, or is there something... more

20 Sep 2018 · 30 minutes
Plastics: The Final Straw?

We’re back! This week we tackle the War on Straws and how worried we should be about all the plastic... more

13 Sep 2018 · 32 minutes
We Return... With A Twist.

Season Five of Science Vs will be in your ears next Thursday. This season we're covering plastic straws, essential oils,... more

06 Sep 2018 · 2 minutes
Welcome, New Listeners!

We'll be back in your ears with season 5 of Science Vs in the Fall... but in the meantime, new... more

17 Jul 2018 · 2 minutes
Serial Killers: Science of the Lambs

What makes a serial killer? What drives them to kill again and again? To find out the truth about this... more

28 Jun 2018 · 32 minutes
UFOs: What the Government Covered Up

Could aliens actually exist? Is there any chance they’ve visited Earth already? What really happened at Roswell? The truth... is... more

21 Jun 2018 · 39 minutes
Lyme Disease: How Scary Is It?

This week, we’re entering the Lyme Wars. We’re asking: what is Lyme disease? How do you get it? How do... more

15 Jun 2018 · 37 minutes
Circumcision: Why Are We Doing This?

This week, we’re entering the foreskin firestorm. We’re asking: what are the risks of circumcision? And are there any medical... more

31 May 2018 · 35 minutes
How Science Created Morons

This week, how one of the worst ideas in science got a big push from a bad study… and intellectuals... more

25 May 2018 · 37 minutes
Polar Bears: A Surprising Tail

We have this idea that polar bears are teetering on the brink of extinction. But the story isn’t that simple.... more

17 May 2018 · 33 minutes
Scott Kelly: How A Year in Space Changes You

This week, something different. We speak to astronaut Scott Kelly, who went up to space a man and came back... more

03 May 2018 · 32 minutes
Ketogenic Diet... Is Fat Good For You?

People who love the ketogenic diet swear it boosts their brainpower, melts their fat, and makes them better athletes. Is... more

26 Apr 2018 · 34 minutes
Nuclear War... Total Annihilation?

Nine countries, including North Korea, have nuclear weapons. What would happen if a nuclear bomb was dropped-- say, in New... more

19 Apr 2018 · 37 minutes
Sex Addiction: Are They Faking It?

Harvey Weinstein and Kevin Spacey are said to have it. You probably have a friend who says they have it... more

05 Apr 2018 · 36 minutes
Opioids: Kicking America's Addiction

America’s got an opioid problem. So where do we go from here? What can actually help people struggling with opioid addiction?... more

29 Mar 2018 · 37 minutes
Opioids: How America Got Hooked

More people in the U.S. died from opioids in 2016 than the peak year of the AIDS epidemic. So how... more

23 Mar 2018 · 44 minutes
Brand New Science Vs!

We'll be in your ears with new episodes next week - Thursday March 22nd. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit... more

16 Mar 2018 · 2 minutes
Obesity - Is It Your Fault?

We’ve always been told to get off the couch and stop eating junk food if you want to lose weight... more

14 Dec 2017 · 38 minutes
Chiropractors

Can they help with back pain or anything else? We talk to chiropractor Carl Cleveland III, physical therapist Anita Gross,... more

07 Dec 2017 · 34 minutes
Birth Control - The Biggest Myths

Everyone’s got a myth or two about birth control they want cleared up. Like... is 'pulling out' AKA withdrawal really... more

30 Nov 2017 · 36 minutes
Molly - Scary Drug or Promising Therapy?

Molly, Ecstasy, MDMA... whatever you want to call it, it's all the same thing. This week, we’re turning up the... more

16 Nov 2017 · 40 minutes
Balding - What Actually Works?

So... you’re losing your hair. Is there anything that can be done about it? And are the treatments dangerous --... more

09 Nov 2017 · 37 minutes
The Bee-pocalypse

What is killing the bees? And will we have enough food to eat if the bee-pocalypse becomes worse? We speak... more

02 Nov 2017 · 36 minutes
Vitamins & Supplements - Are They Worth It?

Americans spend billions of dollars on vitamins and supplements, but are they worth it? We look at the science behind... more

19 Oct 2017 · 39 minutes
Bigfoot

All over the world people report sightings of big, hairy, human-like beasts, so could Bigfoot really be out there... somewhere?... more

12 Oct 2017 · 37 minutes
100% Renewable Energy - Can We Do It?

We need to ditch fossil fuels. Can America go 100% renewable by 2050? Does the technology already exist? We speak... more

05 Oct 2017 · 41 minutes
The Rise of Anti-Vaxxers

Last week we explored the science behind vaccine safety. This week we try to understand where these fears came from,... more

21 Sep 2017 · 38 minutes
Vaccines - Are They Safe?

Autism, seizures, and overloaded immune systems. Could these really be side effects of vaccines? This week, we dive into the science... more

14 Sep 2017 · 41 minutes
Detoxing & Cleanses - Do They Work?

Juice cleanses, fancy foods, sweat, charcoal, and colonics-- is there a scientifically proven way to ‘clean out’ your system? This... more

07 Sep 2017 · 38 minutes
New Season... Coming Soon!

Science Vs is back in your ears next week! This season we're going to dissect the science behind detox diets,... more

31 Aug 2017 · 2 minutes
Artificial Sweeteners - not so sweet?

Low calorie, no calorie and so sweet. Artificial sweeteners just seem too good to be true. Is there a catch?... more

08 Jun 2017 · 54 minutes
Nuclear Power - what are the Risks?

Fukushima. Chernobyl. Three Mile Island. There’s been some big nuclear accidents over the past few decades, but how dangerous is... more

01 Jun 2017 · 43 minutes
Meditation

Silicon Valley CEOs, Tibetan monks, and crunchy hippies alike describe meditation as blissful and life-changing, but what does the science... more

25 May 2017 · 36 minutes
True Love

What is love? With half of first time American marriages ending in divorce by the 20th anniversary, and infidelity being... more

11 May 2017 · 48 minutes
Antioxidants

Are chocolate, coffee and red wine actually good for us? Reading the news it seems that one day they are... more

04 May 2017 · 39 minutes
Abortion: What You Need To Know

Abortion is so taboo. People don’t talk about abortions they’ve had. Doctors don’t talk about abortions they’ve given. But it's... more

27 Apr 2017 · 46 minutes
GMO... OMG?

Science Vs peels back the label on GM foods to find out whether they’re safe to eat and what impact... more

17 Apr 2017 · 48 minutes
Lemmings

Why do four out of five dentists recommend Colgate? How many Americans really approve of Trump? This special episode is... more

06 Apr 2017 · 35 minutes
Ghosts

One third of Americans believe in ghosts, and one fifth have had a personal encounter. We go to a haunted... more

30 Mar 2017 · 52 minutes
Climate Change... the Apocalypse?

Less than half of Americans think climate change is caused by humans, but scientists are sure about it. So, how... more

16 Mar 2017 · 49 minutes
Acne

Trying to get rid of acne can feel like a science experiment with your face -- so we get to... more

09 Mar 2017 · 50 minutes
Immigration

We head to a farm in Alabama to find out what happened after thousands of immigrants left the state. Did... more

09 Mar 2017 · 51 minutes
New season... coming soon!

We’ve read the studies. We’ve spoken to the experts. And now it’s time for facts. There is no alternative.  The new... more

28 Feb 2017 · 1 minute
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Science Vs peels back the label on GM foods to find out whether they’re safe to eat and what impact they can... more