If just thinking of spiders is enough to make the hairs stand up on the back of your neck, or you jump any time you see one, the chances are you suffer from arachnophobia. It affects up to 15% of people according to the Cleveland Clinic, making it one of the most common phobias out there.

As it turns out, human fear of spiders may well be down to evolution. Researchers from Germany, Austria and Sweden looked into the question in more detail for a study published in Frontiers in Psychology in 2017. This may be because such creatures have historically provided a threat. Some other studies have also backed up the idea of an inherited fear of spiders. 

But my friend keeps pet spiders; why doesn’t she have the same fear as me? So can it be cured? ⁠In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions !⁠

To listen to the latest episodes, click here:

⁠Will the British museum finally give back the Parthenon marbles?⁠

⁠What did the Jane Collective do for US women’s rights?⁠

⁠What is tagskryt, the Scandinavian sustainable travel trend?⁠

A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance.

First Broadcast: 21/9/2022

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices