BrainStuff

By iHeartRadio & HowStuffWorks

Technology Natural Sciences

What's BrainStuff about?

Whether the topic is popcorn or particle physics, you can count on BrainStuff to explore -- and explain -- the everyday science in the world around us.

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BrainStuff Classics: How Do...

01.26.2020

Most of us don't have to worry about ionizing radiation -- that is, the kind of radiation that can make you sick. Learn why (and what ionizing radiation can do) in this classic episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ...

BrainStuff episodes:

01.26.2020 BrainStuff Classics: How Does Radiation Sickness Work? Most of us don't have to worry about ionizing radiation -- that is, the kind of radiation that can make you sick. Learn why (and what ionizing radiation can do) in this classic episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ...
01.25.2020 BrainStuff Classics: What Is Fracking? You’ve heard of fracking, and you’re pretty sure lots of people don’t like it, but do you know what it really entails? Learn what goes into the fracking process in this classic episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices ...
01.24.2020 How Do Bengal Cats Work? Bengal cats are a hybrid of domestic cats and a small, wild type of leopard cat. Learn how this breed began and why they're an intensive pet in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://news.iheart.com/podcast-advertisers
01.23.2020 What's the Difference Between Avenues, Roads, and Boulevards? Yes, there is a difference! Roadways in the United States are given designations based on what lines them and how they connect. Learn the differences between these and other passages in today's episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices ...
01.22.2020 Why Are Bananas Berries, but Strawberries Aren't? Botanically speaking, bananas are berries and strawberries are not. Learn why in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://news.iheart.com/podcast-advertisers
01.21.2020 Do Monkeys Lack the Brains or the Vocal Anatomy for Human Speech? For a long time, scientists thought monkeys and non-human apes simply lacked the vocal anatomy for human speech, but new research indicates otherwise. Learn what was found in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://news.iheart.com/podcast-advertisers
01.20.2020 Are We Running Out of Cork? There's a myth that the trees that cork comes from are endangered, but they're doing just fine. Learn how the rumors may have started in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://news.iheart.com/podcast-advertisers
01.19.2020 Why Is the Exclamation Point on the Rise? The exclamation point, once scorned by most, is appearing more and more in online communication — even in professional settings. Learn the history of this punchy punctuation in today's episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://news.iheart.com/podcast-advertisers
01.19.2020 BrainStuff Classics: How Do Microwave Ovens Work? It may seem like magic, but microwave ovens employ the physics of the electromagnetic spectrum to heat your food. Learn how in this classic episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://news.iheart.com/podcast-advertisers
01.18.2020 BrainStuff Classics: What If the Moon Disappeared? If the moon suddenly disappeared from existence, Earth would be missing more than just our nightlight. Learn how the moon affects the Earth in this classic episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://news.iheart.com/podcast-advertisers
01.16.2020 Are Pringles Really Potato Chips? It took a series of British courts to decide whether Pringles count as potato chips (or, rather, potato crisps). Learn why -- and what they decided -- in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://news.iheart.com/podcast-advertisers
01.15.2020 Could There Be a Fifth Fundamental Force? Scientists have been studying the four fundamental forces (gravity, electromagnetism, the strong force, and the weak force) since the 1950s, but new research indicates that there may be a fifth. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about ...
01.14.2020 What's the Difference Between Toilet Paper and Facial Tissues? We often use the two interchangeably (especially in times of need), but toilet paper and facial tissues are composed differently. Learn why you shouldn't flush tissues in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://news.iheart.com/podcast-advertisers
01.14.2020 Could Your Next Car Say 'No' to Drunk Driving? The technology already exists to put Breathalyzers in cars to prevent drunk driving, and some lawmakers are working towards mandating it. Learn how it might work in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://news.iheart.com/podcast-advertisers
01.12.2020 BrainStuff Classics: Does Your Name Determine Your Future? What's in a name? Research shows that your name can indeed influence your career and your behavior. Learn how in this classic episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://news.iheart.com/podcast-advertisers
01.11.2020 BrainStuff Classics: What Does the Tab on a Rearview Mirror Really Do? Pushing the tab on a car's rearview mirror seems to dim the headlights of the car behind you -- but how? Learn how rearview mirrors work in this classic episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://news.iheart.com/podcast-advertisers
01.10.2020 How Does the Wayback Machine Work? The internet's Wayback Machine isn't a time machine in the traditional sense, but it does archive web pages to provide a living history for users to explore. Learn how it works in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ...
01.09.2020 Can 'Reef DJs' Bring Fish Back to Damaged Reefs? When fish abandon unhealthy coral reefs, the whole ecosystem can collapse -- but new research shows that playing sounds from healthy reefs can lure fish back, helping stabilize the reef. Learn how in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about ...
01.08.2020 Can Hair Dyes and Straighteners Cause Cancer? New research indicates that permanent hair dyes and hair straighteners can increase women's risk of breast cancer. Remember, cancers are caused by many genetic & environmental factors -- but learn what the researchers found in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn ...
01.07.2020 What's So American About Apple Pie? When something or someone is particularly emblematic of the U.S., we often say they're 'as American as apple pie'. Learn the history of apple pie, plus how that phrase got started, in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ...
01.06.2020 Should School Buses Have Seat Belts? School buses are much safer than other vehicles on the road, statistically speaking, but they'd be even safer with seat belts. Learn why they haven't traditionally had them, and how that might change, in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more ...
01.05.2020 BrainStuff Classics: How Do We Know What Dinosaurs Looked Like? Museums and movies alike feature representations of dinosaurs, but how can we reconstruct their appearance from a bunch of million-year-old fossils? Learn what we can (and can't) glean from the fossil record in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about ...
01.04.2020 BrainStuff Classics: What Happens When I Have A Hangover? One unpleasant effect of drinking alcohol can be the collection of symptoms known as a hangover -- a pulsing headache, dry mouth, nausea, and more. Learn what's actually happening to your body -- and whether there's any way to fix ...
01.03.2020 What's the Difference Between Baking Soda and Baking Powder? The two aren't interchangeable -- baking powder consists of baking soda plus other stuff. Learn how both work -- and how to make baking powder from soda -- in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://news.iheart.com/podcast-advertisers
01.02.2020 Was the Grinch Based on Dr. Seuss? Spoiler alert: Yep, Dr. Seuss modeled the Grinch on himself. Learn how the generally joyful writer created such an infamous sourpuss in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://news.iheart.com/podcast-advertisers
01.01.2020 What Makes Champagne Champagne? Champagne is a type of sparkling wine made under a particular set of rules to protect it from imitators -- but it wasn't always so prized. Learn the history and science of what goes into a bottle of bubbles in ...
12.31.2019 Why Do We Drop a Ball on New Year's Eve? The tradition of dropping a ball in Times Square to mark the beginning of a new year only goes back about a century. Learn about the history -- plus four weird things that other cities drop instead -- in this ...
12.30.2019 Who Created the Peace Sign (and Why)? Though it started as a symbol of nuclear disarmament, the peace sign has grown to apply to (and be applied to) all kinds of things -- but the creator didn't mind; he'd hoped it'd take off. Learn the history of ...
12.29.2019 BrainStuff Classics: What Is Synesthesia? It’s true – some people hear colors, or taste words. Learn how synesthesia works in this classic episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://news.iheart.com/podcast-advertisers
12.28.2019 BrainStuff Classics: What Determines Your Hair Color? There's a lot of natural variation in the color of human hair. Learn the physical explanation for the difference in this classic episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://news.iheart.com/podcast-advertisers
12.27.2019 How Can Closing Your Door at Night Save Your Life? We all know "stop, drop, and roll," but a new fire safety tip is equally important: "close before you doze". Learn why in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://news.iheart.com/podcast-advertisers
12.26.2019 What's in the Secret Apartment Atop the Eiffel Tower? Yes, there's a secret apartment atop the Eiffel tower -- and it's filled with science! Learn how it came to be -- and how it actually saved the tower from destruction -- in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about ...
12.25.2019 Why Are We Dreaming of a White Christmas? Bing Crosby and hundreds of other singers have expressed their desire to see snow on Christmas, by why? Learn the history of this popular holiday song in today's episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://news.iheart.com/podcast-advertisers
12.24.2019 Why Does Rudolph's Nose Glow Red? How could a reindeer have developed a glowing red nose, and how does it work? Learn the science behind Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer's distinctive feature in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://news.iheart.com/podcast-advertisers
12.23.2019 Why Do Men Have Nipples? Male humans very rarely lactate, so why do they have nipples? Learn why evolution didn't edit that feature out in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://news.iheart.com/podcast-advertisers
12.22.2019 BrainStuff Classics: Did the Brontosaurus Exist? You may have heard that the Brontosaurus never existed, but that isn't quite right. Learn how a feud between ex-friends created confusion surrounding this dinosaur in today's episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://news.iheart.com/podcast-advertisers
12.21.2019 BrainStuff Classics: Why Do Some Noises Drive Me Crazy? If the sound of gum being chewed or the crinkle of plastic fills you with inarticulate, homicidal fury (or any other inexplicable emotion), you may be experiencing misophonia. Learn how researchers think it works in this classic episode of BrainStuff. ...
12.20.2019 Who Was Physicist Hedwig Kohn? As a German Jewish woman who came of age around WWI, Hedwig Kohn defeated all odds against her to live a long, successful life as a physicist. Learn her story in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices ...
12.19.2019 Can Camping Help Us Sleep Better? Our use of electric lights after dark can mess with our circadian rhythms and make it harder to get a good night's sleep. Learn how a mere weekend of camping might help you reset in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn ...
12.19.2019 What Is Florida's Red Tide? You may have heard about a red tide menacing ocean beaches, but what causes it -- and can it be stopped? Learn about the algae that cause Florida's red tide in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices ...
12.17.2019 Why Doesn't My Sushi Come with Real Wasabi? Outside of Japan and the fanciest restaurants, most "wasabi" served with sushi is an imitation of the real thing. Learn why in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://news.iheart.com/podcast-advertisers
12.16.2019 Why Wasn't 'Groom of the Stool' a Crappy Job? First, yes, there was once a job in royal courts called Groom of the Stool, and yes, it involved dealing with the king's poop. Learn why it was actually a covetable position in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about ...
12.15.2019 BrainStuff Classics: Are Pop Rocks Dangerous? Did Pop Rocks really blow the door off of a delivery van? Has anyone ever died from eating this unique (and uniquely loud) candy? Learn the truth behind the rumors surrounding Pop Rocks in this classic episode of BrainStuff. Learn ...
12.14.2019 BrainStuff Classics: Are Humans Still Evolving? We may not have mutant powers like the X-Men, but natural selection is still changing humanity… for the better. Learn about some of humanity's most useful modern mutations in this classic episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at ...
12.13.2019 When Is Moldy Food Safe to Eat? Spoiler alert: Sometimes! Not all molds are harmful, and some are even helpful -- but it's not always OK to cut away spots of mold and eat the food it was growing on. Learn when it is in this episode ...
12.12.2019 Why Does Ancient Roman Concrete Outlast Our Own? Modern concrete crumbles when exposed to the elements, but ancient Roman concrete only gets stronger over time. Learn how this is possible -- and why we're not using their recipe -- in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ...
12.11.2019 Why Do People Still Use Fax Machines? We live in the incredible future of scanners, internet connectivity, and digital signatures -- so why do people still use fax machines? Learn why faxing perseveres in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://news.iheart.com/podcast-advertisers
12.10.2019 How Did a Comma Decide a Court Case? There's no call to be pedantic, but sometimes a tiny punctuation mark can make a huge difference in meaning. Learn how the Oxford comma changed a judge's decision in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://news.iheart.com/podcast-advertisers
12.10.2019 Why Do Noises Other People Make Seem Louder Than Our Own? Humans and other animals tend to tune out the noises they themselves make. Learn how and why this happens in today's episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://news.iheart.com/podcast-advertisers
12.08.2019 BrainStuff Classics: How Long Would It Take To Walk Around The World? This is a more complicated question than it seems because oceans definitely get in the way, but there are a few ways to attempt to walk around the entire globe -- and a few people who have tried. Learn about ...

Older episodes

BrainStuff

What's BrainStuff about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

BrainStuff episodes:

BrainStuff Classics: How Does Radiation Sickness Work?

BrainStuff Classics: What Is Fracking?

How Do Bengal Cats Work?

What's the Difference Between Avenues, Roads, and Boulevards?

Why Are Bananas Berries, but Strawberries Aren't?

Do Monkeys Lack the Brains or the Vocal Anatomy for Human Speech?

Are We Running Out of Cork?

Why Is the Exclamation Point on the Rise?

BrainStuff Classics: How Do Microwave Ovens Work?

BrainStuff Classics: What If the Moon Disappeared?

Are Pringles Really Potato Chips?

Could There Be a Fifth Fundamental Force?

What's the Difference Between Toilet Paper and Facial Tissues?

Could Your Next Car Say 'No' to Drunk Driving?

BrainStuff Classics: Does Your Name Determine Your Future?

BrainStuff Classics: What Does the Tab on a Rearview Mirror Really Do?

How Does the Wayback Machine Work?

Can 'Reef DJs' Bring Fish Back to Damaged Reefs?

Can Hair Dyes and Straighteners Cause Cancer?

What's So American About Apple Pie?

Should School Buses Have Seat Belts?

BrainStuff Classics: How Do We Know What Dinosaurs Looked Like?

BrainStuff Classics: What Happens When I Have A Hangover?

What's the Difference Between Baking Soda and Baking Powder?

Was the Grinch Based on Dr. Seuss?

What Makes Champagne Champagne?

Why Do We Drop a Ball on New Year's Eve?

Who Created the Peace Sign (and Why)?

BrainStuff Classics: What Is Synesthesia?

BrainStuff Classics: What Determines Your Hair Color?

How Can Closing Your Door at Night Save Your Life?

What's in the Secret Apartment Atop the Eiffel Tower?

Why Are We Dreaming of a White Christmas?

Why Does Rudolph's Nose Glow Red?

Why Do Men Have Nipples?

BrainStuff Classics: Did the Brontosaurus Exist?

BrainStuff Classics: Why Do Some Noises Drive Me Crazy?

Who Was Physicist Hedwig Kohn?

Can Camping Help Us Sleep Better?

What Is Florida's Red Tide?

Why Doesn't My Sushi Come with Real Wasabi?

Why Wasn't 'Groom of the Stool' a Crappy Job?

BrainStuff Classics: Are Pop Rocks Dangerous?

BrainStuff Classics: Are Humans Still Evolving?

When Is Moldy Food Safe to Eat?

Why Does Ancient Roman Concrete Outlast Our Own?

Why Do People Still Use Fax Machines?

How Did a Comma Decide a Court Case?

Why Do Noises Other People Make Seem Louder Than Our Own?

BrainStuff Classics: How Long Would It Take To Walk Around The World?

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