Colon Cancer: Should Young People Worry?
March 19, 2026
Colorectal cancer rates are increasing in young adults, leading to one in five diagnoses occurring in people under 55 in the US, often at later, more serious stages.
Sad Nipple Syndrome: A Booby Baffler
March 12, 2026
Nipple stimulation can activate the same region of the brain associated with genital sensation, which likely explains why it is often perceived as erotic.
How Do You Get Pregnant With No Vagina?
February 26, 2026
The episode introduces a case report concerning a 15-year-old girl in Lesotho who became pregnant and went into labor despite having vaginal agenesis (no vagina), presenting a medical mystery.
Brian Can’t Stop Fact-Checking His Mother-in-Law
February 19, 2026
Journalist Brian Reed struggles with the compulsion to fact-check his mother-in-law, who has Alzheimer's, leading to frustration and strained interactions.
Is Your Relationship … OK?
February 12, 2026
The strength of a lasting relationship is predicted more by how well partners repair after conflict than by avoiding conflict entirely.
What Do Tear Gas and ICE Raids Do to People?
January 29, 2026
Tear gas, which is banned in warfare by international convention, is legally used in the U.S. for domestic policing, despite being composed of solid chemicals aerosolized with accelerants whose exact composition is often unknown to those exposed.
The Secret to Happiness?
January 22, 2026
The single biggest finding from the world's longest scientific study into happiness is that people who stayed healthiest and happiest the longest were those with the most connected and warm relationships with others.
Vaccines: Does Europe Do Them Better?
January 15, 2026
The CDC's new vaccine recommendations reduce routine childhood vaccinations from 17 to 11 diseases, partly to align with countries like Denmark, which experts argue is flawed due to differing healthcare systems and disease prevalence.
Is AI Making Us Stupid?
December 18, 2025
Research suggests that learning guided by LLMs like ChatGPT results in sparser, more generic output and a lower perceived sense of learning compared to traditional web searches, transforming learning into a more passive process.
Manifesting: How Powerful Are Our Thoughts?
December 11, 2025
The popular manifestation technique of intensely focusing on and feeling the emotions of having already achieved a desired future (like the 'Best Possible Self' exercise) is scientifically proven to increase immediate positive affect and well-being, lasting for at least three weeks.
Chiropractors: Are They Legit?
December 4, 2025
For adults with back or neck pain, research suggests spinal manipulation performed by chiropractors may help reduce pain, although the underlying mechanism is unclear.
Should You Eat Like A Caveman? Plus — 10 Years of Science Vs!
November 27, 2025
The 10th-anniversary episode of Science Vs revisits major topics, including the peer-reviewed publication of their original research on the "orgasm gap," the debunked link between vaccines and autism, and the ineffectiveness of ivermectin for COVID-19.
Never Put Meatballs on Spaghetti, with Samin Nosrat
November 20, 2025
Salt is the most impactful ingredient in cooking, capable of tenderizing meat and enhancing flavor by drawing out aromatic molecules from produce.
AI: Is It Ruining the Environment?
November 13, 2025
The energy consumption of a single AI query varies widely based on the model's size (number of parameters), with text generation potentially using more energy than image generation for certain model comparisons.
Seed Oils: Should You Switch to Butter?
November 6, 2025
Research suggests that butter consumption has a neutral to marginal effect on heart disease risk, contrary to long-held dietary advice, though high saturated fat intake generally increases LDL cholesterol.
Daylight Saving Time: Should We End It?
October 30, 2025
The original purpose of Daylight Saving Time, which was energy conservation dating back to World War I, is no longer strongly supported by modern data, with some studies showing negligible or no energy savings.
Semen Retention: Should You Stop Ejaculating?
October 23, 2025
Claims that semen retention boosts testosterone, mood, or athletic performance are largely unsupported by current scientific evidence, with studies showing no significant testosterone increase from abstinence.
Fertility Rates: Are We Running Out of Babies??
October 16, 2025
The total fertility rate (TFR) is declining in almost every country globally, with the US TFR currently at a record low of 1.62 births per woman, below the 2.1 replacement level.
Sugar: How Bad Is It Really?
October 9, 2025
Contrary to popular belief, controlled studies suggest that sugar itself does not magically cause more weight gain than an equivalent amount of other calories (like starch), though high sugar intake often leads to consuming more total calories.
The Full Moon: Is It Messing With Us?
October 2, 2025
Scientific investigation into ER busyness and crime rates shows no evidence that the full moon increases patient admissions or criminal activity.
How to Smell like a Dog, with Ed Yong
September 25, 2025
Every creature experiences the world through its own unique sensory bubble, or 'umwelt,' perceiving only a fraction of the full reality.
Does Tylenol Cause Autism?
September 18, 2025
Recent large-scale studies, particularly those accounting for genetic factors and sibling comparisons, suggest that acetaminophen use during pregnancy does not significantly increase the risk of autism or ADHD in children.
AI Chatbots: Are They Dangerous?
September 11, 2025
AI companions can provide a sense of connection and reduce loneliness for some individuals, acting as a "social snack" rather than a replacement for human interaction.
Memory: How to Boost It
September 4, 2025
Forgetting is a normal and intentional brain function designed to filter out unimportant information, not necessarily a sign of cognitive decline.
We Are So Back
August 28, 2025
Science Versus is returning with new episodes that will explore topics like memory improvement, the effects of the full moon, the science behind manifesting, and the purported benefits of "No Nut November."
Autism: The Real Reason It's Going Up
June 19, 2025
The "autism epidemic" is largely explained by an expanding diagnostic definition that now includes milder forms of autism, rather than an increase in severe cases, which have remained stable or declined.
The Carnivore Diet: Can We Live On Meat Alone?
June 12, 2025
While the carnivore diet shows promise for some individuals with specific chronic conditions like IBD, its long-term health risks and nutritional completeness remain largely unstudied and uncertain.
Creatine: A Hack To Get Jacked?
June 5, 2025
While creatine can offer a small benefit in muscle building and energy during workouts, its effects are not dramatic, some individuals do not respond to it, and its performance-enhancing capabilities are not considered significant enough to be banned by major sporting organizations.
Dire Wolves! They're Back?
May 29, 2025
The company Colossal claims to have brought back the dire wolf by genetically modifying gray wolves, but experts question whether these animals are truly dire wolves and raise ethical concerns about the de-extinction process.
The War Keeps Raging Against Science
May 22, 2025
The US government's proposed cuts to science funding, particularly at the NIH and NSF, could significantly harm the economy, potentially making the average American poorer due to reduced innovation and economic growth.
Bird Flu: The Next Pandemic?
May 15, 2025
The current H5N1 bird flu strain, particularly a newer variant, is causing significant concern due to its high fatality rate in humans and its unprecedented spread across over 450 animal species, including cattle, which increases the risk of human transmission.
Is There Really a Plastic Spoon in Our Brains?
May 8, 2025
The widely reported claim of a plastic spoon's worth of plastic in human brains is likely due to a flawed scientific technique that confuses human fat with plastic.
Methamphetamine: The Most Misunderstood Drug?
May 1, 2025
Methamphetamine's reputation as a uniquely dangerous and addictive drug is largely a myth, with scientific evidence suggesting its addictive potential is comparable to or less than other common substances like alcohol and tobacco.
Measles: How Worried Should We Be?
April 24, 2025
Measles is a highly contagious virus that can cause severe illness, including pneumonia and encephalitis, and can also lead to long-term immune system damage, making individuals more susceptible to other infections.
Telepathy: Is It For Real?
April 17, 2025
The popular podcast "The Telepathy Tapes" claims telepathy is real, particularly in individuals with autism, but expert analysis reveals that the communication methods used, often referred to as facilitated communication or spelling to communicate, are highly susceptible to facilitator influence and lack independent verification.
Fluoride: Is Your Water Safe?
April 10, 2025
The historical discovery of fluoride's dual effect on teeth—causing staining at high concentrations but preventing cavities at lower, controlled levels—led to its widespread adoption in water fluoridation.
ADHD: Do We All Have It?
April 3, 2025
While online trends suggest a broad range of symptoms for ADHD, the core diagnostic criteria remain difficulty focusing and hyperactivity, with impairment in daily life being a crucial factor for diagnosis.
Squirting: What's Really Happening?!
March 27, 2025
Squirting, while often perceived as solely urine, is a complex phenomenon that can involve a mixture of urine and secretions from the female prostate gland, though the exact composition varies among individuals.
We're Back to Science Harder Than Ever
March 20, 2025
The new season of Science Versus will explore a wide range of controversial and intriguing topics, from biological phenomena like squirting and bird flu to societal issues like ADHD and drug use, and even futuristic concepts like life extension.
The War on Science
February 19, 2025
The Trump administration's actions have led to the removal of scientific information from government websites, the firing of thousands of federal employees in science-related agencies, the halting of clinical trials, and the freezing and potential restarting of research funding, creating widespread confusion and fear within the scientific community.
Narcissists: Are We Surrounded?
December 19, 2024
Contrary to popular belief and media portrayals, current scientific consensus suggests there is no narcissism epidemic, and rates of grandiose narcissism may even be declining.
The Real Anti-inflammatory Diet
December 12, 2024
Chronic inflammation, linked to various health issues including mental health, heart disease, and diabetes, is a significant concern affecting a substantial portion of the adult population.
When Vaginas Attack!
December 5, 2024
The traditional, simplistic view of animal reproduction as a male "spear-like willy" plunging into a passive vagina is inaccurate; the reality is far more complex and involves an evolutionary arms race between male and female reproductive anatomy and behavior.
How a Nuclear Lab Helped Catch a Serial Killer
November 28, 2024
A lab that designs nuclear weapons was instrumental in developing a forensic test to detect the drug used by a serial killer nurse, ultimately leading to his conviction.
The Pill: Is It Messing Up Our Brain and Body?
November 21, 2024
Scientific evidence does not support the claim that hormonal birth control significantly alters sexual attraction or causes weight gain, debunking common myths.
Lucid Dreaming: The Bonkers World Inside Our Minds
November 14, 2024
The mnemonic induction of lucid dreams (MILD) technique, involving waking up after five hours of sleep, recalling a dream, visualizing anomalies, and repeating a mantra, is scientifically shown to be an effective method for inducing lucid dreams, significantly outperforming reality testing.
Aphantasia: Missing the Mind's Eye
November 7, 2024
The ability to visualize mentally, known as "mental imagery," exists on a spectrum, ranging from complete absence (aphantasia) to extremely vivid experiences (hyperphantasia), impacting how individuals perceive and interact with the world.
Fiber: The Secret to a Healthier, Happier You?
October 31, 2024
Fiber is crucial for gut health by feeding beneficial bacteria, which produce short-chain fatty acids that nourish gut cells and maintain the gut lining, preventing issues like leaky gut and reducing the risk of inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal cancer.
Ghosts: The Science of Spooky Encounters
October 24, 2024
While theoretical physics offers speculative possibilities like black holes in parallel universes interacting gravitationally, it does not provide a scientific basis for commonly perceived ghostly phenomena.
Climate Crisis: We're Solving It?!
October 21, 2024
While individual actions like recycling and energy efficiency have a role, systemic change through government policy and corporate action is crucial for solving the climate crisis.
Menopause: The Myths and the Madness
October 17, 2024
Menopause is a natural process affecting 4 billion people, characterized by a range of symptoms including hot flashes, irregular periods, vaginal dryness, and potential cognitive changes, with individual experiences varying significantly.
The Keto Diet: Can It Supercharge Your Brain and Body?
October 10, 2024
The ketogenic diet, originally developed in the 1920s to treat epilepsy, involves drastically reducing carbohydrate intake and increasing fat consumption, leading the body to produce ketones for energy.
Microplastics: How Worried Should You Be?
October 3, 2024
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals, often found in plastics, are linked to potential health issues including obesity, early puberty, and reproductive problems, with growing evidence suggesting they pose global health threats.
The Time the Protesters Won
September 26, 2024
The Young Lords, initially focused on Puerto Rican independence, became effective public health advocates by addressing immediate community needs like garbage collection and lead poisoning, demonstrating a pragmatic approach to activism.
Have We Crossed the Climate Tipping Point?
September 19, 2024
The term 'tipping point' in climate science refers to specific, irreversible thresholds within Earth's systems, not a single global catastrophe point.
Social Media: Is It Rotting Your Brain?
September 12, 2024
Our attention spans have significantly shortened over the past two decades, with social media contributing to this decline by weakening our inhibitory control, but this change is not permanent and can be reversed by reducing social media use.