Chemistry For Your Life

By Melissa and Jam, BleavScience Chemistry

Ranking
2nd
on Chemistry
Favorites
61
Followers
Typical duration
39 min
per episode

Based on Podcast App listening data

Chemistry For Your Life episodes

June 06, 2024What even ARE vitamins? And do we actually need them?
#188
In this episode, hosts Melissa and Jam dive into the basics of vitamins. They discuss the origins of vitamins, why they are labeled with letters, and the difference between water-soluble and fat-soluble vitamins. The episode also touches on the history of vitamin regulation, the necessity of supplementing vitamins, and the impact of diet on vitamin intake. Finally, they challenge listeners to assess the variety of plant-based foods they consume in a week to promote a healthier diet.
00:00 Introduction to Vitamins
00:27 What Are Vitamins?
01:40 Types of Vitamins: Water Soluble vs Fat Soluble
07:10 Sources of Vitamins
10:19 The History and Naming of Vitamins
20:16 The Importance of Vitamins and Supplements
24:51 Optimal Vitamin Intake
25:10 The Role of Multivitamins
26:04 Diet Trends and Nutrient Deficiency
28:39 Understanding Vitamins
31:14 Fat-Soluble vs. Water-Soluble Vitamins
32:50 The Importance of Dietary Variety
36:57 Personal Diet Challenges
43:07 Engage with Us!
References from this episode:
We want to give a special thanks to Bri McAllister for illustrating molecules for some episodes! Please go check out Bri’s art, follow and support her at entr0pic.artstation.com and @McAllisterBri on twitter!

Thanks to our monthly supporters
Jessie Reder

Ciara Linville

J0HNTR0Y

Jeannette Napoleon

Cullyn R

Erica Bee

Elizabeth P

Sarah Moar

Rachel Reina

Letila

Katrina Barnum-Huckins

Suzanne Phillips

Venus Rebholz

Lyn Stubblefield

Jacob Taber

Brian Kimball

Emerson Woodhall

Kristina Gotfredsen

Timothy Parker

Steven Boyles

Chris Skupien

Chelsea B

Bri McAllister

Avishai Barnoy

Hunter Reardon
★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com
Watch our episodes on YouTube
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
47 min
May 30, 2024Ask a Chemist: Why do you need yogurt to make yogurt? (And other questions)
Question and Response 56
In this bonus edition of Chemistry for Your Life, hosts Melissa and Jam engage with their listeners by answering a variety of chemistry-related questions and addressing listener comments and reviews. They read and discuss both positive and constructive reviews, and provide important updates about joining a network for the podcast. They also talk about the introduction of advertisements, the benefits of becoming a patron for an ad-free experience, and some behind-the-scenes improvements to enhance the show. The episode includes shout-outs to long-time listeners and special mentions of devoted classes and followers. Key discussions cover effective materials for hot baths, making water drinkable in emergencies, and the process of making yogurt, among other chemistry inquiries. The show wraps up with a reminder about the importance of engaging in scientific and political processes to promote environmental safety.
00:00 Introduction and Listener Questions Teaser
00:49 Podcast Reviews: The Good, The Bad, and The Funny
02:31 Sponsorships and Exciting Updates
07:37 Shoutouts and Special Mentions
11:02 Chemistry Q&A: From Yogurt to Water Safety
20:02 Fun Chemistry Facts and Final Thoughts

Thanks to our monthly supporters
Jessie Reder

Ciara Linville

J0HNTR0Y

Jeannette Napoleon

Cullyn R

Erica Bee

Elizabeth P

Sarah Moar

Rachel Reina

Letila

Katrina Barnum-Huckins

Suzanne Phillips

Venus Rebholz

Lyn Stubblefield

Jacob Taber

Brian Kimball

Emerson Woodhall

Kristina Gotfredsen

Timothy Parker

Steven Boyles

Chris Skupien

Chelsea B

Bri McAllister

Avishai Barnoy

Hunter Reardon
★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com
Watch our episodes on YouTube
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
26 min
May 23, 2024Why does hair turn grey when we age?
#187
This episode of 'Chemistry for Your Life' delves into the fascinating world of gray hair, exploring its chemistry and biological processes. Hosts Melissa and Jam share personal anecdotes about encountering gray hair before diving into a detailed explanation of how hair turns gray. They discuss the roles of melanin, melanocytes, and enzymes like tyrosinase in hair pigmentation, and how an imbalance in hydrogen peroxide levels within hair follicles can lead to gray hair. Additionally, the episode touches on the impact of genetics and the possible effects of stress and cigarette smoking on graying. They wrap up with some fun discussions on making pizzas and interacting with their community of listeners.
00:00 Opening Banter: Discovering Gray Hair
00:26 Diving Into the Science of Gray Hair
01:22 Introduction to the Podcast and Hosts
02:49 Exploring the Chemistry of Hair Color
03:26 Understanding Melanin and Hair Pigmentation
07:07 The Process of Hair Coloration
09:59 Unraveling the Mystery of Gray Hair
11:27 A Deep Dive into the Molecular Mechanisms
19:18 Explaining the Gray Hair Phenomenon with an Analogy
26:28 Diving into Project Blueprint: A Self-Experimentation Journey
27:05 The Science of Reversing Gray Hair: An In-Depth Look
32:38 Exploring the Impact of Stress and Smoking on Hair Color
36:02 The Fascinating World of Hair Under a Microscope
39:59 Sharing Personal Stories and Tips for Outdoor Adventures
44:29 A Culinary Adventure: Making the Perfect Pizza
50:51 Supporting Chemistry Education: A Call to Action
References from this episode:
Hair under a microscope pics - https://www.pinterest.com/pin/hair-under-the-microscope-knots-and-splits-can-you-fix-them--99642210476262734/

https://faseb.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1096/fj.08-125435

https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Simplified-pathways-of-tyrosine-derived-melanin-synthesis-showing-enzymatic-steps-subject_fig2_337820571

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8610071/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4033715/

https://cen.acs.org/articles/87/i10/Gray-Hair-Blame-Natural-Bleaching.html

https://www.chemistryworld.com/podcasts/melanin/3008682.article

https://youtu.be/oCtdFSAgKCY

We want to give a special thanks to Bri McAllister for illustrating molecules for some episodes! Please go check out Bri’s art, follow and support her at entr0pic.artstation.com and @McAllisterBri on twitter!

Thanks to our monthly supporters
Ciara Linville

J0HNTR0Y

Jeannette Napoleon

Cullyn R

Erica Bee

Elizabeth P

Sarah Moar

Rachel Reina

Letila

Katrina Barnum-Huckins

Suzanne Phillips

Nelly Silva

Venus Rebholz

Lyn Stubblefield

Jacob Taber

Brian Kimball

Emerson Woodhall

Kristina Gotfredsen

Timothy Parker

Steven Boyles

Chris Skupien

Chelsea B

Bri McAllister

Avishai Barnoy

Hunter Reardon
★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com
Watch our episodes on YouTube
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
54 min
May 16, 2024Why do bad smells smell bad?
#030 Rebroadcast
Melissa and Jam continue to sniff out the chemistry of smell, focusing this week on bad smells. Why are we so good at smelling bad smells? Why do they haunt us at night? Why are some bad smells so strong and long lasting, while many great smells are subtle and temporary. What’s in a smell? "That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." I think that quote applies here right?
References from this episode
Aerosol generation by raindrop impact on soil - Young Soo Joung & Cullen R. Buie, Nature Communications

2 Americans Win Nobel for Demystifying Sense of Smell - Lawrence K. Altman, The New York Times

The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2004 Press Release - Richard Axel & Linda B. Buck, The Nobel Prize

A Novel Multigene Family May Encode Odorant Receptors: A Molecular Basis for Odor Recognition - Buck and Axel

Chemists and bad smells (and sulfur): A productive pairing - Ashutosh Jogalekar, Scientific American
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
33 min
May 09, 2024What is old people smell? And is the internet wrong about it?
#186
In this episode of 'Chemistry for Your Life' hosts Melissa and Jam explore the common notion that elderly people have a distinct smell. They delve into the scientific basis behind this observation, discussing the role of volatile organic compounds, fatty acids on our skin, and how these compounds can change with age. The episode features discussions on different studies that have attempted to identify specific compounds associated with 'old people smell' and debates their findings. It also touches upon cultural and dietary influences on body odor, the impact of hygiene practices, and the psychological aspects of scent perception. Additionally, the hosts reflect on the influence of other environmental factors like hospital scents on our perception of 'old people smell.' The episode concludes with a light-hearted discussion on favorite smells, emphasizing the complexity and variability of human olfactory experiences.
00:00 Introduction to the Mystery of the Elderly Scent
00:41 Diving Into the Science: What Causes the Elderly Scent?
01:25 Community Shoutout and Listener Contributions
03:48 Exploring the Chemistry of Skin and Aging
07:37 Scientific Studies and the Debate Over Elderly Scent
15:17 Cultural Factors and the Universality of Elderly Scent
21:29 Concluding Thoughts on the Science of Scent and Aging
23:22 Exploring the Science of Smell and Age
23:54 Perceptions and Variables in Smell Research
24:42 Personal Anecdotes and Smell Associations
26:24 Consumer Products and Their Influence on Smell
29:05 The Debate Over Persimmon Soap
32:00 Skepticism Towards Marketing Claims
35:09 Favorite Smells and Personal Memories

References from this Episode
https://scholar-google-com.libproxy.library.unt.edu/citations?hl=en&user=5fCySaUAAAAJ&view_op=list_works&sortby=pubdate

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/08/well/live/do-older-people-have-a-different-smell.html

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2574753/https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3364187/

https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0022-202X(15)41198-4

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/old-person-smell/

https://www.reddit.com/r/chemistry/comments/1at59dv/why_doesnt_regular_soap_work_on_nonenal_old/

https://www.reddit.com/r/todayilearned/comments/unftyx/til_what_causes_old_people_smell_as_our_skin/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf
We want to give a special thanks to Bri McAllister for illustrating molecules for some episodes! Please go check out Bri’s art, follow and support her at entr0pic.artstation.com and @McAllisterBri on twitter!
Thanks to our monthly supporters
Ciara Linville

J0HNTR0Y

Jeannette Napoleon

Cullyn R

Erica Bee

Elizabeth P

Sarah Moar

Rachel Reina

Letila

Katrina Barnum-Huckins

Suzanne Phillips

Nelly Silva

Venus Rebholz

Lyn Stubblefield

Jacob Taber

Brian Kimball

Emerson Woodhall

Kristina Gotfredsen

Timothy Parker

Steven Boyles

Chris Skupien

Chelsea B

Bri McAllister

Avishai Barnoy

Hunter Reardon
★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com
Watch our episodes on YouTube
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
47 min
May 02, 2024Ask a Chemist: Reddit Edition!
Bonus Episode: Question and Response 55
In this bonus episode of 'Chemistry for Your Life,' hosts Melissa and Jam deviate from their usual format of answering listener questions to engage with the Reddit community instead. They delve into various chemistry-related topics, starting with a Reddit user's struggle to understand moles in chemistry, which Melissa, a chemist, explains in simple terms. They also discuss the social dynamics and difficulties of explaining complex scientific concepts to non-experts, exemplified through a Reddit story about a PhD student oversharing her research at a family gathering. The episode also covers the merits and sacrifices involved in pursuing a PhD, focusing on whether it's worthwhile for those aiming to become professors. Throughout, the hosts emphasize the importance of effective communication in science and the challenges of balancing personal aspirations with academic pursuits.
00:00 Introduction to Reddit Edition: Chemistry Q&A
01:09 Exploring the Concept of Moles in Chemistry
06:02 Navigating Family Dynamics: The PhD Dilemma
15:12 Is Pursuing a PhD Worth It? Insights and Reflections
22:40 Wrapping Up and Future Plans for Reddit Q&A Sessions
Thanks to our monthly supporters
Ciara Linville

J0HNTR0Y

Jeannette Napoleon

Cullyn R

Erica Bee

Elizabeth P

Sarah Moar

Rachel Reina

Letila

Katrina Barnum-Huckins

Suzanne Phillips

Nelly Silva

Venus Rebholz

Lyn Stubblefield

Jacob Taber

Brian Kimball

Emerson Woodhall

Kristina Gotfredsen

Timothy Parker

Steven Boyles

Chris Skupien

Chelsea B

Bri McAllister

Avishai Barnoy

Hunter Reardon
★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com
Buy our merch at chemforyourlife.com/store
Watch our episodes on YouTube
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
26 min
April 25, 2024Is compost dirt??
#185

Let's make dirt. Or is it dirt? I don't know, well, can you dig it? We've all heard of compost, maybe you compost, maybe your friend does, maybe they talk about it a lot. But how does it work? Why can we compost some things, but not others? And why can't we just put compostable stuff into the trash can, won't it break down in the landfill? Let's find out!!
References from this Episode
https://compost.css.cornell.edu/chemistry.html

https://compost.css.cornell.edu/microorg.html

https://www.epa.gov/sustainable-management-food/composting

https://www.compostingcouncil.org/page/CompostDefinition

https://www.psu.edu/news/agricultural-sciences/story/consumer-support-food-waste-solutions-focus-agricultural-economists/

https://www.epa.gov/recycle/composting-home

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0921344910000261

https://www.acs.org/education/resources/highschool/chemmatters/past-issues/2017-2018/october2017/composting-your-trash-natures-treasure.html
We want to give a special thanks to Bri McAllister for illustrating molecules for some episodes! Please go check out Bri’s art, follow and support her at entr0pic.artstation.com and @McAllisterBri on twitter!
Thanks to our monthly supporters
Ciara Linville

J0HNTR0Y

Jeannette Napoleon

Cullyn R

Erica Bee

Elizabeth P

Sarah Moar

Rachel Reina

Letila

Katrina Barnum-Huckins

Suzanne Phillips

Nelly Silva

Venus Rebholz

Lyn Stubblefield

Jacob Taber

Brian Kimball

Emerson Woodhall

Kristina Gotfredsen

Timothy Parker

Steven Boyles

Chris Skupien

Chelsea B

Bri McAllister

Avishai Barnoy

Hunter Reardon
★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com
Watch our episodes on YouTube
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Want to start your own podcast? Use Transistor and you'll have the best podcast platform available. We use it and we are totally in love with it.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
57 min
April 18, 2024How do sunglasses protect our eyes?
#082 Rebroadcast
Wow sunglasses sure are cool. What's the coolest thing about them? Is it how cool they make us look and feel? Or is it the chemistry inside them? We'll let you decide, but we think you'll be surprised to find out how significant a role chemistry plays in the making of your shades.

References from this episode
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/pdf/10.1021/acs.chas.8b23208

https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.macromol.8b02513

https://www.acs.org/content/dam/acsorg/education/resources/highschool/chemmatters/issues/2018-2019/December2018/2%20Shades%20TG%20Reading%20Supports.docx

https://www.safetyglassesusa.com/product-information/

https://cen.acs.org/articles/94/i19/Periodic-graphics-chemistry-sunglasses.html

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/9781118909911.ch26

https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/ma960808x

https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/1999/JM/a902864a#!divAbstract
Thanks to our monthly supporters
Ciara Linville

J0HNTR0Y

Jeannette Napoleon

Cullyn R

Erica Bee

Elizabeth P

Sarah Moar

Rachel Reina

Letila

Katrina Barnum-Huckins

Suzanne Phillips

Nelly Silva

Venus Rebholz

Lyn Stubblefield

Jacob Taber

Brian Kimball

Emerson Woodhall

Kristina Gotfredsen

Timothy Parker

Steven Boyles

Chris Skupien

Chelsea B

Bri McAllister

Avishai Barnoy

Hunter Reardon
★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com
Watch our episodes on YouTube
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Want to start your own podcast? Use Transistor and you'll have the best podcast platform available. We use it and we are totally in love with it.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
39 min
April 11, 2024What are the Northern Lights?
#184

That's right, the Northern Lights aren't just cool CGI after all. They're real, but what are they? Why do they occur? And how are they chemistry? Let's find out!
References from this Episode
https://webbtelescope.org/contents/articles/spectroscopy-101--types-of-spectra-and-spectroscopy

https://imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov/educators/lessons/xray_spectra/background-atoms.html

https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/phenomena/geomagnetic-storms

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-021-23377-5.epdf?sharing_token=Q0rjm5h2j_KavQboPe5r0NRgN0jAjWel9jnR3ZoTv0Nipe223V5hYGHe-RFuAQXUauChqVoyT7zITbpx_l9I4d9y3fMVLy0n3sVw5SJRoc_II7uBqXU-SzFM3JaTK6_kNmWDs_aEyfCQVLoWqqw15NsYjbFSXvak0yfuKrH76x8%3D

https://www.npr.org/2021/06/10/1004859458/what-causes-the-northern-lights-scientists-finally-know-for-sure

https://pwg.gsfc.nasa.gov/polar/telecons/archive/PR_E-PO/Aurora_flyer/aurora-flyer_p2.doc.pdf

https://www.acs.org/pressroom/reactions/library/what-causes-the-northern-lights-and-where-you-should-see-them.html

https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/sites/default/files/images/u2/Aurora.pdf
We want to give a special thanks to Bri McAllister for illustrating molecules for some episodes! Please go check out Bri’s art, follow and support her at entr0pic.artstation.com and @McAllisterBri on twitter!
Thanks to our monthly supporters
Ciara Linville

J0HNTR0Y

Jeannette Napoleon

Cullyn R

Erica Bee

Elizabeth P

Sarah Moar

Rachel Reina

Letila

Katrina Barnum-Huckins

Suzanne Phillips

Nelly Silva

Venus Rebholz

Lyn Stubblefield

Jacob Taber

Brian Kimball

Emerson Woodhall

Kristina Gotfredsen

Timothy Parker

Steven Boyles

Chris Skupien

Chelsea B

Bri McAllister

Avishai Barnoy

Hunter Reardon
★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com
Watch our episodes on YouTube
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Want to start your own podcast? Use Transistor and you'll have the best podcast platform available. We use it and we are totally in love with it.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
44 min
April 04, 2024Ask a Chemist: Can you dissolve a liquid into a solid? (and other questions)
Bonus Episode: Question and Response 54
In this month's bonus episode, Melissa and Jam respond to your comments and questions about dissolving, purple shampoo, coal ash, and petroleum waste.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
Ciara Linville

J0HNTR0Y

Jeannette Napoleon

Cullyn R

Erica Bee

Elizabeth P

Sarah Moar

Rachel Reina

Letila

Katrina Barnum-Huckins

Suzanne Phillips

Nelly Silva

Venus Rebholz

Lyn Stubblefield

Jacob Taber

Brian Kimball

Emerson Woodhall

Kristina Gotfredsen

Timothy Parker

Steven Boyles

Chris Skupien

Chelsea B

Bri McAllister

Avishai Barnoy

Hunter Reardon
★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com
Watch our episodes on YouTube
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Want to start your own podcast? Use Transistor and you'll have the best podcast platform available. We use it and we are totally in love with it.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
31 min