Science Vs

Methamphetamine has a scary reputation as one of the most addictive and dangerous drugs out there. But at the same time, it's an FDA-approved drug — and can even be used to treat ADHD in children. So just how dangerous and addictive is meth? And what’s going on in your brain when you use it? We hear from Science Vs listeners who’ve used it — and the scientists who study it, including neuroscientists Professor Martin Paulus and Dr. Jennifer Hsieh, as well as Dr. Kate O'Malley and Dr. Krista Siefried. 

Find drug use resources here: spotify.com/resources

Find our transcript here: https://bit.ly/ScienceVsMeth

In this episode, we cover:

(00:00) Methamphetamine: The Scariest Drug 

(03:44) Super Meth? 

(04:35) What it feels like to take Meth

(05:57) What meth does in the brain

(09:20) Can Meth break your brain?

(21:51)  Meth Mouth: Is it real?

(25:55) How Meth Breaks your Heart

(26:52) How addictive is Meth?

(36:42) New research to help people with Meth Dependence

(38:08) Meth: The Most Misunderstood Drug  

This episode was produced by me Wendy Zukerman, with help from Meryl Horn, Rose Rimler, Michelle Dang and Ekedi Fausther-Keeys. We’re edited by Blythe Terrell. Fact checking by Erica Akiko Howard. Mix and sound design by Bobby Lord. Music written by Bobby Lord, Bumi Hidaka, So Wylie, Emma Munger and Peter Leonard. Thanks to all the researchers we spoke to including, Dr Heather Barkholtz, Professor Nadine Ezard, Dr Nicole Lee, Dr Samantha Brooks, Dr Steph Kershaw, Professor Steven Shoptaw, Dr Susan Calcaterra, Professor Harriet de Wit, and Professor Edyth London. Also thanks to the Zukerman Family and Joseph Lavelle Wilson.

Science Vs is a Spotify Studios Original. Listen for free on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Follow us and tap the bell for episode notifications.

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Measles is spreading in the U.S., with hundreds of cases across more than 20 states. And tons of people online are arguing over how we should feel about it. Some say this is bad because measles is SO contagious — and not enough people get the vaccine. But others say that measles isn't such a big deal, so why are we freaking out?? Didn't basically everyone get this virus back in the day and live to tell the tale? So we’ll find out — what is measles doing to our body (and our brain)? And how can we stop this outbreak ... and possibly rid the world of measles. We hear from New Scientist reporter Grace Wade, Prof. Peter Kasson, Dr. Meru Sheel and Dr. Katherine Gibney.

Find our transcript here: https://bit.ly/ScienceVsMeasles

In this episode, we cover:

(00:00) Measles cases are popping off in the U.S.

(04:04) How measles messes with our immune system

(10:13) How measles can kill

(14:54) How contagious is measles - really?

(18:46) How good is the measles vaccine?

(25:11) What are the risks of the measles vaccine?

(28:34) What it will take to stop this measles outbreak

This episode was produced by Wendy Zukerman, with help from Michelle Dang, Meryl Horn, Rose Rimler, and Ekedi Fausther-Keeys. We’re edited by Blythe Terrell. Fact checking by Eva Dasher. Mix and sound design by Bobby Lord. Music written by Emma Munger, So Wiley, Peter Leonard, Bumi Hidaka and Bobby Lord. A special thanks to the researchers we reached out to including Professor Rik de Swart, and a big thanks to Joseph Lavelle Wilson and the Zukerman family. 

Science Vs is a Spotify Studios Original. Listen for free on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Follow us and tap the bell for episode notifications. 

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A popular podcast called The Telepathy Tapes claims that telepathy is real — and tons of people are convinced. So we open our minds to the possibility of mind-reading and ask: Could this be real?? And if not — what might be going on here? We dive into the science (yes — there is science!) with Dr. Katharine Beals, Prof. Jim Todd, and Prof. Chris French. 

Find our transcript here: https://bit.ly/ScienceVsTelepathy

In this episode, we cover:

(00:00) Extraordinary Claims of Telepathy

(08:28) What Could Be Going On Here?

(32:27) 50 Years of Science on Telepathy?!

This episode was produced by Rose Rimler, with help from Wendy Zukerman, along with Ekedi Fausther-Keeys, Meryl Horn, and Michelle Dang. We’re edited by Blythe Terrell. Mix and sound design by Bobby Lord. Fact checking by Erica Akiko Howard. Music written by Peter Leonard, Emma Munger, So Wylie, Bumi Hidaka, and Bobby Lord. Thanks to all the researchers we spoke to for this episode, including Dr. Zoltan Kekecs, Prof. Stefan Schmidt, and Janyce Boynton. Special thanks to Enrique Perez. Science Vs is a Spotify Studios Original. Listen for free on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

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The battle over whether we should be putting fluoride in our water has reached fever pitch. We’ve got U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and anti-fluoride activists saying it’s a neurotoxin that’s lowering our IQs. But supporters say that fluoride is a safe and effective way to protect our teeth from cavities, and that stopping water fluoridation would lead to a spike in tooth decay. To find out who’s right, we talk to epidemiologist Dr. Ashley Malin and community health scientist Professor Lindsay McLaren. 

Find our transcript here: https://bit.ly/ScienceVsFluoride 

In this episode, we cover:

(00:00) Chapter 1: Why did we start water fluoridation? 

(07:00) Chapter 2: What can fluoride do at really high levels? 

(11:18) Chapter 3: Can low doses of fluoride affect the brain? 

(20:41) Chapter 4: Anything else to worry about?

(24:53) Chapter 5: Does fluoride in the water protect our teeth?

This episode was produced by Meryl Horn, with help from Wendy Zukerman, Rose Rimler, Michelle Dang, and Ekedi Fausther-Keeys. We’re edited by Blythe Terrell. Mix and sound design by Bobby Lord. Fact checking by Erica Akiko Howard. Music written by Bumi Hidaka, Peter Leonard, Emma Munger, So Wylie, and Bobby Lord. Thanks to all the researchers we spoke to for this episode, including Professor Christine Till, Professor Jonathan Broadbent, Dr. John Morris, Professor Bruce Lanphear, Professor Loc Do, Dr. Maria Kipper, Professor Philippe Hujoel, Professor Stephen Peckham, Dr. Tommaso Filippini, and Professor Steven Levy. 

Science Vs is a Spotify Studios Original. Listen for free on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Follow us and tap the bell for episode notifications.

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ADHD is all over the internet, with people saying that it’s way different than we thought it was — and that tons of us might have it without even knowing it. Influencers are telling us that ADHD can cause all sorts of things, like hyperfocused states, serious emotional dysregulation, even something called rejection sensitivity dysphoria. So — is all this true? Plus, when you do have ADHD — what’s going on inside your brain? And what are the best ways to cope with it? We talk to Prof. Maggie Sibley, Prof. Philip Shaw, and Dr. J. Russell Ramsay. 

This episode does mention depression. Here are some crisis hotlines: 

United States: US National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Dial 988 (Online chat available); US Crisis Text Line Text “HOME” to 741741

Australia: Lifeline 13 11 14 (Online chat available)

Canada: Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention (See link for phone numbers listed by province)

United Kingdom: Samaritans 116 123 (UK and ROI)

Full list of international hotlines here 

Find our transcript here: https://bit.ly/ScienceVsADHD 

Chapters: 

In this episode, we cover:

(00:00) Is ADHD everywhere??

(02:45) How do you really know if you have ADHD?

(09:05) Is hyperfocus legit?

(12:50) What’s up with ADHD and emotional issues?

(18:05) ADHD in women and people who menstruate

(20:07) So do is ADHD really everywhere? 

(21:34) ADHD in the brain

(26:21) Meds, Therapy, Body Doubling?!

This episode was produced by Rose Rimler, with help from Wendy Zukerman, along with Meryl Horn, Michelle Dang, and Ekedi Fausther-Keeys. We’re edited by Blythe Terrell. Mix and sound design by Bobby Lord. Fact checking by Erica Akiko Howard and Marlowe Starling. Music written by Peter Leonard, Emma Munger, So Wylie, Bumi Hidaka, and Bobby Lord.Thanks to all the researchers we spoke to for this episode, including Dr. Robert Rosenthal, Dr. Miguel Garcia Pimenta, Prof. Michelle Martel, Dr. Maedbhe King, Dr. Edward Modestino, Prof. Edmund Sonuga-Barke, and Dr. Ashley Halkett. Again, big special thanks to all the listeners who called in and told us about their ADHD experiences!

Science Vs is a Spotify Studios Original. Listen for free on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Follow us and tap the bell for episode notifications. 

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[Video available on Spotify]

To start off the new season we’re getting into the science of one of the most controversial and taboo sex topics around. Squirting! For some people, it’s a major sex goal — but for others, it’s a source of major embarrassment. And it turns out that people have been writing or talking about squirting and female ejaculation for CENTURIES. So in this episode, we’re going to find out: what IS squirting (like, what is this fluid??), how common is it, and if you want to start doing it … how can you? We’ll hear from Sex Educator and World Record Holder, Lola Jean. As well as Professor Caroline Pukall, Dr. Nan Wise, Professor Helen O’Connell, and Dr. Samuel Salama. 

UPDATE, April 4, 2025: An earlier version of this episode mistakenly said that usually a person cannot pee with an erect penis. While it can be difficult, it is possible (as anyone who's had a morning glory will know!). The episode has been updated.

Find our transcript here: bit.ly/4iIVQcc

In this episode, we cover:

(00:00) Welcome to Cirque du Squirt

(08:26) History of female ejaculation

(13:18) Suspect 1: Vaginal lubrication

(15:55) Suspect 2: Pee

(24:41) Suspect 3: Chemical X?

(29:47) Female prostate

(36:00) Why does it feel like that?

(39:26) What about penises?

(42:03) Can you learn to squirt?

Credits:

This episode was produced by Ekedi Fausther-Keeys, with help from Blythe Terrell, Wendy Zukerman, Meryl Horn, Michelle Dang, and Rose Rimler. We’re edited by Blythe Terrell. Video editing, audio mix and graphics by Bobby Lord. Graphics help from Michelle Dang. Illustrations by Scarlette Baccini. Fact checking by Eva Dasher. Music by Bobby Lord, Peter Leonard, Bumi Hidaka, and So Wylie. Interpreting by Kana Hatakeyama, translation help from Ben Milam. 

Thanks also to Dr. Devon Hensel, and Dr. Leslie Rickey. Recording and logistics help from Michelle Kitchen, Spencer Howard and Nick Johnson. Recording help from Abi McNeil. Special thanks to Roland Campos. Thanks to Cameron Silzle and Arsonhouse Entertainment. Thanks to Lola Jean and everyone who spoke to us at Cirque du Squirt.

Science Vs is a Spotify Studios Original. Listen for free on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Follow us and tap the bell for episode notifications.

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Have you been missing your weekly dose of science?? Well, we've got good news: Science Vs is BACK next week, and we’ll be tackling ADHD, squirting, creatine, the carnivore diet, bird flu, fluoride, meth, memory and much more. New episodes start March 27. Fact ya soon!

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U.S. science is in turmoil. Amid agency firings and confusion over federal funding, researchers are freaking out. Many can’t do their work, and they have no idea what the future holds. Plus, we’re hearing that all of this could jeopardize medical treatments for people in the U.S. and all over the world. So, what exactly is going on? And how bad is it? We speak with Nature reporter Max Kozlov and Science magazine reporter Jocelyn Kaiser.

Find our transcript here: bit.ly/ScienceVsWarOnScience 

In this episode, we cover:

(00:00) Scientists are freaked out

(02:40) The chaos on government science websites

(11:28) Firings and research funding freezes

(18:09) Flagging words like women, Black and Latinx in grants

(22:20) USAID cuts and vaccine concerns

(27:04) What could be the motivation for all this?

This episode was produced by Wendy Zukerman, with help from Meryl Horn, Rose Rimler, Michelle Dang and Ekedi Fausther-Keeys. We’re edited by Blythe Terrell. Mix and sound design by Bobby Lord. Music written by Emma Munger, Peter Leonard and Bobby Lord. Thanks to Lauren Silverman and Nimra Azmi. And thanks so much to all the scientists who shared their stories with us. We appreciate you.

Science Vs is a Spotify Studios Original. Listen for free on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Follow us and tap the bell for episode notifications.

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The internet tells us that narcissists are everywhere — and that the problem is only getting worse. It’s like narcissism is oozing out of our celebrities, politicians, partners, parents, maybe even ourselves?? So today, we’re taking a long look in the mirror to find out: are we all a bunch of narcissists? And what should we do if we think someone in our life is a narcissist? We find out by talking to a real narcissist, Lee Hammock of the social media platform “The Self Aware Narcissist” as well as psychologists Prof. W. Keith Campbell, Prof. Kali Trzesniewski, and Dr. Craig Malkin. 

We want to hear your ideas for new episodes of Science Vs! Tell us via:

Instagram at science_vs

X at @sciencevs 

Bluesky at sciencevs

Email at [email protected]

Voicemail at +1(774) 481-1238‬ 

This episode does mention depression. Here are some crisis hotlines: 

United States: US National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Dial 988 (Online chat available); US Crisis Text Line Text “HOME” to 741741

Australia: Lifeline 13 11 14 (Online chat available)

Canada: Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention (See link for phone numbers listed by province)

United Kingdom: Samaritans 116 123 (UK and ROI)

Full list of international hotlines here 

Find our transcript here: https://bit.ly/ScienceVsNarcissism 

In this episode, we cover:

(00:00) Lee’s Ratatouille Moment

(07:06) The Narcissism Test

(15:53) Are We In a Narcissism Epidemic?

(25:41) It Kind of Sucks to be a Narcissist 

(31:55) Narcissists in Therapy

(35:11) How to Deal With a Narcissist in Your Life

This episode was produced by Rose Rimler, with help from Wendy Zukerman, Michelle Dang, Meryl Horn, and Ekedi Fausther-Keeys. We’re edited by Blythe Terrell. Mix and sound design by Sam Bair. Fact checking by Erica Akiko Howard. Music written by Peter Leonard, Emma Munger, So Wylie, Bumi Hidaka, and Bobby Lord.Thanks to all the researchers we spoke to for this episode, including Dr. Igor Weinberg,  Dr. April Ilkmen, Dr. Jennifer Gerlach, Dr. Betsy Edershile, Prof. Brad Bushman, Prof. Brent Donnellan, Prof. Chris Barry,  Dr. Glenn Geher, and Winkie Ma. Special thanks to Rachel Humphries for editing help. And big thanks to everyone who helped us this season! Jack Weinstein, Hunter, Chris Suter, Oscar, Elise, Dylan, the Zukerman family and Joseph Lavelle Willson.

Science Vs is a Spotify Studios Original. Listen for free on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Follow us and tap the bell for episode notifications.

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People say that lowering inflammation is the key to boosting your mental and physical health. And there are all these claims about the best way to do it: add “anti-inflammatory foods,” like blueberries or turmeric, and absolutely don’t do certain kinds of exercise. We’ll find out how you can really lower your inflammation, and what this can do for your body and mind. We talk to neuroscientist Dr. Caroline Ménard, nutrition scientist Dr. Rosa Casas, and exercise physiologist Dr. Grace Rose. 

This episode does discuss depression and suicide a little bit. Here are some resources:

Find our transcript here: https://bit.ly/sciencevsinflammation 

In this episode, we cover:

(00:00) Chapter 1: Everybody is talking about inflammation

(03:23) Chapter 2: How inflammation can affect our bodies and minds

(16:04) Chapter 3: Can we fix inflammation by cutting out nightshades?

(19:48) Chapter 4: How to really lower your inflammation through your diet

(28:44) Chapter 5: Does working out too hard raise chronic inflammation? 

This episode was produced by Meryl Horn with help from Wendy Zukerman, along with Michelle Dang, Rose Rimler and Ekedi Fausther-Keeys. We’re edited by Blythe Terrell. Mix and sound design by Sam Bair. Fact checking by Diane Kelly. Music written by Bobby Lord, Emma Munger, So Wylie, Bumi Hidaka and Peter Leonard. Thanks to all the researchers we spoke with for this episode, including Professor Suzanne Segerstrom, Professor Andre Nel, Dr. Hannah Mayr, Professor Zhaoping Li, Dr. Jennifer Felger, Professor Andreas Michalsen, Professor Charles Serhan, Professor Heather Zwickey, Dr. Jian Tan and Professor Philip Calder.

Science Vs is a Spotify Studios Original. Listen for free on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Follow us and tap the bell for episode notifications. 

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