Science with The Blunt Letters

In this wild episode of The Blunt Letters, Micaela Elle and Jerbil take you on a journey through time as they explore how humans learned to use plants as medicine and intoxicants by watching our furry (and sometimes feathered) friends. From prehistoric cave dwellers spying on trippy goats to modern-day party animals, they uncover the surprisingly clever ways animals helped us discover everything from herbal remedies to mind-bending highs. 

Featuring Original Song “Bing Bong (pants off dance off) by Micaela Superstar

References

Intoxication by Ronald K Siegel

How humans learned to self-medicate with certain plants by observing animals

The origin of Plants and eventually drugs

Animals getting high: 10 common drunks

Orangutan in the wild applied medicinal plant to heal its own injury, biologists say

From the blackest black to the whitest white, in this episode, we talk about the science of paint and pigment!

Did you know we used real human mummies for brown paint for over 200 years? What about Paris Green, the bright and beautiful color that got its name after being used to kill rats in the sewers of France? We cover the toxic paints of the rainbow that have colored our lives for thousands of years!

Featuring original song "Science Shuffle" by Micaela Superstar

References:

The Yattering and Jack

Annihilation (2018)

6 Facts About Vantablack, the Darkest Material Ever Made

Anish Kapoor

Scientists Have Created the Whitest Paint Ever—and It Might Help Cool the Planet

Paris Green

Scheele's Green

Mummy Brown

Virgin Mary’s Blue

A Journey to the Oldest Cave Paintings in the World

TikTok:@Bekahsart

Welcome to The Blunt Letters podcast! In this episode, we dive into the mysterious and captivating world of "Outer Range," we ask the important questions like “What won’t they throw in that hole?” and “Was that a doppelganger?” We also delve into the fascinating concept of Dyson Spheres, those theoretical megastructures that could harness the power of entire stars. Additionally, we discuss the Cryptid Hypothesis paper produced by Harvard-associated scientists, speculating on the potential origins of unknown creatures. 

Featuring Original Song “Murder Bop” by Micaela Superstar

References

The cryptoterrestrial hypothesis: A case for scientific openness to a concealed earthly explanation for Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena

Outer Range (TV Show)

Escape from Witch Mountain (1975)

Southland Tales (2006)

‘Dyson spheres’ were theorized as a way to detect alien life. Scientists say they’ve found potential evidence

What Do The Angels From The Bible Actually Look Like?

Astronomers find 60 Dyson sphere candidates, among millions of searched stars

Dyson Sphere Images

Wheel of Ezekiel

Welcome to the first true crime episode of The Blunt Letters. We looked into a mysterious phone call that turned out to be more than paranormal. Listen as we discuss the case of Henry McCabe and his message from the beyond. Then, we get into the science of electricity and how how post-life entities interact with the energy field to send messages to the living. 

Featuring Original Song “Gone Missing” by Micaela Superstar

The Full Story Behind The Most Mysterious Voicemail Ever

Man Who Vanished Leaves Bizarre Voicemail Behind

Do loved ones bid farewell from beyond the grave?

Reddit stories from beyond

Electronic Voice Phenomenon

How Ghost Hunters Use Electromagnetic Fields

Ghosts and Electrical Fields

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghost_hunting

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Structured-light_3D_scanner

kinect camera ghost footage

Welcome to a new episode of The Blunt Letters Poop Chronicles with Jerbil, where we talk about the role of poop in our lives, society, and culture. This time we’re talking about “Holy Shit” the religious uses of poop spanning human history into the present day. We cover references in the bible, the koran, and beyond. Plus, we get into the modern cults that use feces as part of their religious practice. Finally, we cover new sci-fi movies and shows you should know! Buckle up and listen now!

Featuring original song “Poop Chronicles 2.0” by Micaela Superstar

References

Mt Diablo Blunt Letters episode

Jerbil poop in the Philippines Blunt Letters episode

French “poop in the river hashtag”: #JeChieDansLaSeineLe23Juin

Holy Shit historyDisturbing Details Keep Emerging About This Bizarre Poop-Eating Cult

Christian Poop Dream InterpretationWhat does the bible say about poop?

If you’re someone who chooses to skip the hand washing once in a while, read these mind blowing statistics and you might think again next time!

Did Jesus Poop?

Outer Range

Rant by Chuck Palahniuk

Night Raiders (2021)

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024)

Sugar (2024)

Garfield Movie (2024)

Hundreds of Beavers (2024)

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024)

Welcome to the Lost In Space episode! This week we talk about space machines that have gotten misplaced in space. First, we talk about  Voyager 1, the 46-year-old NASA space probe that reached interstellar space before it stopped communicating with the Earth, and the 25-year-old spy satellite that disappeared. Then, we chat about the folks who got stuck on the International Space Station for over a year! And we get into outer space questions like “What does Space Force do?” “What beloved snack has made its way into outer space?” and “What would have happened if the moon landing didn’t go as planned?” We answer all of these questions and more in this episode!

Featuring Original Song “New Wave Tacos” by Micaela Superstar

Tomatoes lost in space

List of spaceflight-related accidents and incidents

NASA’s Voyager Will Do More Science With New Power Strategy

Encounters at the End of the World

Voyager 1 stops communicating with Earth

NASA’s Voyager 1 Resumes Sending Engineering Updates to Earth

This spy satellite, lost in space for 25 years, reappears on radar

Astronaut and cosmonauts return to Earth after getting stuck in space for more than a year

Nixon’s Moon disaster speech (not used) [no mention of command module pilot Michael Collins]

First food ever baked in space gets a home at the Smithsonian

The Walking Dead (Show)

The Walking Dead (Comic)

Walking Dead spin-offs: 
The Walking Dead: The Ones Who LiveThe Walking Dead: Daryl DixonThe Walking Dead: WebisodesThe Walking Dead: Dead CityFear the Walking DeadFear the Walking Dead: Flight 462Fear the Walking Dead: Dead in the WaterFear the Walking Dead: PassageTales of the Walking DeadFear the Walking Dead: The Althea TapesThe Walking Dead: World Beyond

In this episode, Micaela, Elle, and Jerbil talk about the weird side effects of organ transplants. When the bodies we’re born receive new organs, why do some people take on characteristics of the donors? Why is this especially true with heart transplants? Does the heart really hold on to the things and people we love even in a new body? We explore cases where organ recipients suddenly love foods they’ve always detested, like music they never cared about before, and even see visions of their donor’s demise.

Then, The Blunt Letters discusses Phantom Limb Syndrome, a medical condition that has been studied since the 16th century. Why can people who lose limbs still feel them? Even with modern medicine, the cause of this mysterious condition has eluded doctors and scientists like a real ghost. 

Featuring Orignal Song “Simulacrum Serenade” by Micaela Superstar

Personality Changes Associated with Organ Transplants

Cellular Memory in Organ Transplants

This woman says she feels love differently since her heart transplant. She wants to know why

Phantom limb syndrome: a review

Phantom Limb Pain (National Library of Medicine)

Phantom Limb Pain: Mechanisms and Treatment Approaches

From the Cleveland Clinic: Phantom Limb Pain

The Civil War Doctor Who Proved Phantom Limb Pain Was Real

Welcome to the Blunt Letters 2024 420 Episode! We might be a little late, but that’s keeping with the episode’s theme so we hope you’ll forgive us. This year, we will get into the science of weed; specifically, the components that help your body feel better and fight diseases. Buckle up as we explore the brain and the synapses that have enabled your body to enjoy the benefits of this plant for thousands of years. Plus, new research about how scientists are using cannabinoids to fight modern ailments and diseases. Finally, we couldn’t have a 420 episode without a new batch of Stoner Moments!

Featuring original song “I wish it was 420 everyday” by Micaela Superstar

Check us out: thebluntletters.com, insta, TikTok, YouTube, Facebook

Join our Patereon!

References:

How racism contributed to marijuana prohibition in the US

National Library of Medicine: The Health Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids: The Current State of Evidence and Recommendations for Research

Wiki: Tetrahydrocannabinol

From National Institute on Drug Abuse

From Harvard: Cannabidiol (CBD): What we know and what we don't

Marijuana Makes Some People Feel Euphoria and Others Extreme Paranoia

Cannabinoids in cancer treatment: Therapeutic potential and legislation

Epilepsy could be risk factor for developing Parkinson’s

Study Reveals How Cannabidiol Counters Epileptic Seizures

At long last we present The Blunt Letters Live Show! Last fall we met with Amber Dee apprentice embalmer and artist in Oakland, California to ask her about the science of embalming. Ever wonder what happens to bodies when they’re embalmed? Have you wanted to learn more about afterlife care? Now’s your chance!

Original song “Science Shuffle” by Micaela Superstar

Check us out: thebluntletters.com, insta, TikTok, YouTube,  Facebook

Join our Patereon!

Signature Cocktail Recipe: The Highballer Embalmer

1 part Mandarin orange vodka

1 part Apricot Liqueur 

Tangerine Selzer

References

Karen Greenlee

Follow Amber Dee on Instagram 

Join us for the chillest episode yet! This week we talk about the permafrost in the Arctic, not your freezer! We start by reviewing True Detective: Night Country, the newest installment of the series that's set in a remote Alaskan town thrust into days of night and paranormal mystery. Then, we get into the real science of the permafrost and examine a few of the discoveries recently extracted from the ice, including so-called “zombie viruses.” And this is a special occasion where we celebrate both Micaela and Jerbil who both have March birthdays! Don’t miss the party!

Featuring Original Song “Math is Facts” by Micaela Superstar

Check us out: thebluntletters.com, insta, TikTok, YouTube,  Facebook

Join our Patereon!

References:

Tigers Are Not Afraid (2017)

Issa Lopez

Resident Alien

True Detective: Night Country

Synesthesia  Tropical New Brunswick home to Dr. Seuss-like tree from around 350 million years ago 

The mysteries of Permafrost

Could 'zombie viruses' from the permafrost trigger another pandemic?

Permafrost: A ticking time bomb beneath our feet

Thawing Permafrost Could Leach Microbes, Chemicals Into Environment