BrainStuff
2,727 episodes — Page 37 of 55
BrainStuff Classics: Why Do We Itch?
The sensation of itchiness can be maddening. Learn what's going on in your nerves and brain when you itch -- and when you scratch that itch -- in this classic episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
BrainStuff Classics: Why Do Movie Theaters Sell Popcorn?
For millions of moviegoers, memories visiting the local theater automatically conjures the smell of popcorn. But this wasn’t always the case – so why, out of all snacks, did popcorn become #1 for film? Learn the history in this classic episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Why Is Alzheimers's So Difficult to Treat?
Despite being a widespread condition, Alzheimer's is notoriously difficult to diagnose and treat. Learn why (plus how researchers hope to make it easier) in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How Do Migrating Birds Navigate?
Birds can migrate thousands of miles and back home again with no prior knowledge or assistance thanks to their superpowered vision. Learn about magnetoreception in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Did Pirates Really Talk Like That?
One guy is responsible for what we think pirates sounded like. For Talk Like A Pirate Day, learn how Robert Newton changed the world in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Are Artists Hardwired To Be Poor?
Research shows that artists' brains don't respond to monetary motivation the way that other people's do. Learn why this might be -- and whether it means we create types are doomed to poverty -- in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Why Are Hydrogen Peroxide Bottles Brown?
Most hydrogen peroxide sold to consumers comes in opaque brown bottles. Learn why in today's episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
BrainStuff Classics: Why Do So Many Price Tags End in .99?
It’s very common to see the number 9 at the right end of a price tag. But why? Learn about the psychology of pricing -- and nines in particular -- in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
BrainStuff Classics: Why Can't People Remember Being Born?
You probably remember your last birthday, but not your first – or your zeroth. Learn why scientists think we lose those early memories in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What Are Food Deserts?
In the United States, 17.6 million American lack access to healthy food because there aren't any grocery stores or other establishments that sell fresh food in their area. Learn about food deserts and how we can fix them in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How Could We Get Into Space Without Big Rockets?
Large rockets are great at getting delicate equipment (and people) into space, but at a huge financial cost. Learn about some of the potential alternatives to ground-launched rockets in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Why Do Dogs Love Rolling in Stinky Stuff?
Dogs are pretty much guaranteed to find the smelliest stuff to roll in -- but why? Learn what may be behind this gross instinct in today's episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Why Does Skin Tan and Freckle?
When you freckle or tan, your skin is trying to protect you from damage. Learn how it works in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How Do New Religions Take Root?
Hundreds of new religions pop up every year, but only a few survive and become widespread. Learn why some religions have staying power while others don't in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
BrainStuff Classics: How Do Tattoo Machines Work?
Tattoo machines (sometimes called tattoo guns) haven’t changed much since the 1890s because they’re such elegant devices. Learn how the most common types work in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
BrainStuff Classics: How Does Hair Dye Work?
Some hair dyes are basically fine-grained paint, but dyes that stick with you for more than a couple weeks physically and chemically change each hair. Learn how in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How Can an Ancient Pregnancy Test Actually Work?
An ancient Egyptian pregnancy test has been found to work with about 70% accuracy. Learn how it works in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Does Playing with Toy Guns Lead to Violent Behavior?
Some parents and advocacy groups recommend against allowing children to play with toys that resemble weapons, like toy guns. But is there any science to back that up? Learn about play, parenting, and aggression in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Why Do You Stop Noticing Scents After a While?
Smells seem to disappear after a while because our brains lie to us. Not maliciously -- they think they're helping. Learn about olfactory adaptation in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Can Cannabis Help Break Opioid Addiction?
Medical marijuana is now FDA-approved for some uses even though it's still illegal federally. Some researchers and journalists, including Dr. Sanjay Gupta of CNN, believe it could help solve the opioid crisis. Learn why in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What's the History of Lemonade?
Who were the first people to drink lemonade? How did it turn pink? Learn the folklore behind lemonade in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
BrainStuff Classics: What Are Eye Boogers?
The gunk that builds up at the inner corners of our eyes is residue of our eyeballs' protective coatings. Learn what it’s made of and why it turns to sand overnight in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
BrainStuff Classics: How Do You Find Water In The Wild?
In case you ever get stranded in the wild without an obvious source of fresh water, learn a few things you can do to collect some in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Why Did NASA Send Sperm Into Orbit?
Research on the International Space Station studies all aspects of how humans would fare on long space missions -- including reproduction. Learn about NASA's latest reproductive science experiments in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What States Failed to Become Part of the U.S.?
There are a few United States that never were. Learn their stories in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Are Chimps Cleaner Than Us?
A study investigating the microbes and bugs in chimpanzee beds versus human beds showed that chimps are cleaner than we are. Learn about the study's results in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How Bad Is It to Run Your Car on Empty?
Your car's empty-tank light can sneak up on you, and it's easy to put off filling up for another day. But are you damaging your car when you do? Learn why it's not good to run your car on empty in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Should You Really Take Fish Oil Pills?
Conventional wisdom has long said fish oil pills are a great nutritional boost, but recent research shows they don't have the cardiovascular benefits we once thought. Learn who should still consider taking them in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
BrainStuff Classics: Why Do Some People Faint At The Sight of Blood?
Even though only 3-4% of people have a phobia of seeing blood, about 15% of people will faint at the sight. Learn why in this classic episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
BrainStuff Classics: Do Crosswalk and "Close Door" Buttons Really Do Anything?
Are the buttons we push to cross streets, close elevator doors, and nudge the office thermostat really connected to anything? Some aren’t! Learn how these placebo buttons (don’t) work in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What Is Breakup Bootcamp?
We have retreats for everything else, so why not survival post-breakup? Learn how these camps hope to help the broken hearted, plus what emotional work they won't cover, in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How Can Squid 'Speak' With Their Skin?
Squid can communicate via patterns they flash on their skin, and the way they create those patterns is stranger than anyone thought. Learn what researchers are learning about it in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Is Hangry a Real Emotion?
If you've ever had to apologize for what you said when you were hungry, you may be comforted to know that hanger is real. Learn what causes is -- and how you can stop or even prevent it -- in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What Happens When Hurricanes Hit Volcanoes?
In a phrase: big bada-boom. Learn how hurricanes and volcanoes intensify each other in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Do Doctors' Biases Affect Health Care?
Implicit biases change the way we act without us even realizing it, and doctors aren't immune. Learn how researchers are trying to help us all identify and change our unconscious biases in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
BrainStuff Classics: How Does Lucid Dreaming Work?
Science has proven that we can be aware of our dreams while we’re in them. But can we really control our dreams? We break it to you gently in this classic episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
BrainStuff Classics: What Causes Red Eye in Photos?
How can a camera's flash make your eyes glow red? Tune in to learn how it works -- and how to prevent it -- in this classic episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Yes, Your Dog Wants to Help When You're Upset
Confirming what dog owners already know, new research shows that dogs really do want to help us when we're sad or upset. Learn how the experiments worked in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Why Is Head Scratching a Gesture of Thought?
Some gesticulations come naturally -- scratching your head when you're thinking is so common that it's basically a cliche. But why? Learn what researchers have to say in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Could Spending Money on Experiences Save the World?
Research shows that spending money on experiences instead of objects can make you happier, but can it make you a better person? Learn what scientists have found in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How Do Nutrients Get into the World's Oceans?
Phytoplankton are responsible for a lot of the oxygen we breathe, and their wellbeing is made possible by... deserts. Yes. Learn how the Saraha Desert and other dusty debris feeds our oceans in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Who Does the Real Magic: Magicians, or Assistants?
The gender roles of traditional stage magicians and 'lovely assistants' can seem outdated, but behind the scenes, the work has always been pretty equal. Learn how being a magician's assistant works in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
BrainStuff Classics: How Do Laugh Tracks Work?
Sitcoms use laugh tracks all the time. But where do they come from? Do they really make us laugh along? Learn about the origins and psychology of laugh tracks in this classic episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
BrainStuff Classics: Why Do Dogs Tilt Their Heads?
Is this adorable behavior rooted in sensory necessity or purposeful gesticulation? We explore what may be the cutest research ever in this classic episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Why Do Books Smell So Good?
Researchers have set out to catalog the scent compounds that make books and libraries smell so welcoming. Learn how in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Can You Train a Bee?
Spoiler alert: Totally. Bees and other insects can learn, and thus be trained, using scents. Learn how they could sniff out everything from bombs to cancer in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What If Bandages Could Monitor Your Wound?
Today's bandages work pretty well, but is it time for an upgrade? Learn how researchers are creating smart bandages in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What Makes Stars Twinkle?
On a clear night, the stars seem to wink and twinkle in the sky. Learn why in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Can We Make Roads Out of Recycled Plastic?
Plastics clog our ecosystems and our roads need maintenance -- could fixing one problem help solve the other? Learn how researchers are recycling plastics into useful materials in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
BrainStuff Classics: How Does Aspirin Work?
How does aspirin target your pain? The plants that aspirin were derived from have been used as medicine for about 6000 years, we finally discovered how it works in 1971, and we explain it in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.