Big Picture Science

Skeptic Check: How Low Can You Go?


Listen Later

Baby, it’s cold outside… but you still might want to be there. Some people claim that chilly temperatures are good for your health, and proponents of cryotherapy suggest you have a blast – of sub-zero air – to stave off wrinkles and perhaps halt aging altogether. 

Meanwhile the field of cryonics offers the ultimate benefit by suggesting that you put future plans – and your body – on ice when you die. That way you might be revived when the technology to do so is developed.

So, will a chill wind blow you some good? Possibly, as scientists are discovering that the body can endure colder temperatures than previously thought. We examine the science of extreme cold and claims of its salubrious benefits.

It’s our monthly look at critical thinking, Skeptic Check … but don’t take our word for it! 

Guests: 

  • Seth Abramovitch - Senior writer at the Hollywood Reporter
  • Gordon Giesbrecht - Professor of thermal physiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
  • Grant Shoffstall - Sociologist, Williams College

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

    ...more
    View all episodesView all episodes
    Download on the App Store

    Big Picture ScienceBy Big Picture Science

    • 4.5
    • 4.5
    • 4.5
    • 4.5
    • 4.5

    4.5

    912 ratings


    More shows like Big Picture Science

    View all
    Dan Carlin's Hardcore History by Dan Carlin

    Dan Carlin's Hardcore History

    63,795 Listeners

    Common Sense with Dan Carlin by Dan Carlin

    Common Sense with Dan Carlin

    11,529 Listeners

    Scott Sigler Slices: MIX TAPE VOL. 1 by Scott Sigler

    Scott Sigler Slices: MIX TAPE VOL. 1

    1,077 Listeners

    The Deadpod by J.Henrikson

    The Deadpod

    1,225 Listeners

    Nature Podcast by Springer Nature Limited

    Nature Podcast

    762 Listeners

    Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and Science by The Planetary Society

    Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and Science

    1,351 Listeners

    SpaceTime with Stuart Gary by Stuart Gary

    SpaceTime with Stuart Gary

    323 Listeners

    Ask a Spaceman! by Paul M. Sutter

    Ask a Spaceman!

    831 Listeners

    Meditation Oasis by Mary and Richard Maddux

    Meditation Oasis

    3,861 Listeners

    Astronomy Cast by Fraser Cain and Dr. Pamela Gay

    Astronomy Cast

    2,864 Listeners

    Universe Today Podcast by Fraser Cain

    Universe Today Podcast

    560 Listeners

    The Quanta Podcast by Quanta Magazine

    The Quanta Podcast

    533 Listeners

    Science Magazine Podcast by Science Magazine

    Science Magazine Podcast

    827 Listeners

    Science Friday by Science Friday and WNYC Studios

    Science Friday

    6,404 Listeners

    Philosophy Bites by Edmonds and Warburton

    Philosophy Bites

    1,548 Listeners

    Science In Action by BBC World Service

    Science In Action

    336 Listeners

    Unexpected Elements by BBC World Service

    Unexpected Elements

    352 Listeners

    Dan Carlin's Hardcore History: Addendum by Dan Carlin

    Dan Carlin's Hardcore History: Addendum

    8,484 Listeners

    Daniel and Kelly’s Extraordinary Universe by iHeartPodcasts

    Daniel and Kelly’s Extraordinary Universe

    2,344 Listeners

    Radio Detective Story Hour by Dennis Humphrey

    Radio Detective Story Hour

    404 Listeners

    The Supermassive Podcast by The Royal Astronomical Society

    The Supermassive Podcast

    332 Listeners

    Why This Universe? by Dan Hooper, Shalma Wegsman

    Why This Universe?

    392 Listeners

    Unexplainable by Vox

    Unexplainable

    2,308 Listeners