Who Started the First STD? (Spoiler: Not Humans.)

Everyone knows STDs are transmitted through sex… but have you ever stopped to wonder where the first STD came from? Who was that very first human that got infected — and how did it happen before modern travel, dating apps, or even civilization? In this episode, we trace the real origin story of sexually transmitted infections, from ancient skeletons to animal viruses that jumped into humans. Spoiler: it didn’t start with humans — and the truth is stranger than you think.

Ever caught your stomach making a scene in a quiet room? Let’s dive into the science behind hunger sounds, why your brain joins the noise, and what your gut is really trying to say.

Ever looked in the mirror after crying and thought, “Wait… why do I look kind of amazing?”

In this episode, we unpack the crying glow — the strange mix of biology, emotion, and culture that makes vulnerability look beautiful.

From blood circulation and tear chemistry to emotional release and social media’s obsession with “sad beauty,” we explore how crying reshapes both your face and your self-image.

It’s not vanity — it’s neuroscience, hormones, and a bit of art.

We’ve all done it—walk into a room and instantly forget why. In this episode, we unpack the doorway effect, how context-dependent and prospective memory work, why fatigue and multitasking make it worse, and simple, science-backed fixes you can try today. Quick tips included for real life.

Do you drift into a car nap and then pop awake at that last turn on your commute? In this episode, we decode the everyday mystery with accessible neuroscience: how your inner clock estimates travel time, how noise drops (from avenue to side street) nudge you toward wakefulness, how braking and cornering feed the vestibular system, and how conditioning links a familiar route to a perfectly timed wake-up. We’ll walk through three mini experiments—change the route, stabilize cabin noise, block light—to map your personal wake-up cues, then share two playbooks: one to deepen an in-car car nap (steady noise, eye mask, neck support) and one to time a precise wake-up before your stop. Commute smarter, sleep better, and use your inner clock and conditioning on purpose—the “almost-home” effect, explained and usable.

Books lull you, phones wire you. We unpack dopamine hits, blue-light timing, and habit loops—and how to read without nodding off and reclaim your nights.

#sleep, #blue light, #dopamine, #melatonin, #bedtime scrolling, #reading fatigue, #reward prediction error, #focus, #digital sunset, #insomnia, #attention

Ever had a song loop in your head long after the music stopped? That’s an earworm — also known as involuntary musical imagery. In this episode, Wendy and Jeff explore why catchy tunes hijack our brains, from memory loops to stress triggers.

We’ll share fun cultural cases like Baby Shark and Pixar’s Inside Out, plus practical tips (chewing gum, full-play method) to break free. Tune in for science, humor, and the surprising truth behind songs that just won’t quit.

Phantom smells are more common than you think—but why do they happen, and what do they reveal about our sense of smell? In this episode, we uncover the strange science of olfaction, from phantom odors and brain pathways to the surgical risks of rhinoplasty, turbinate reduction, and the rare but troubling Empty Nose Syndrome. Along the way, we explore perfume legends, Napoleon’s obsession with cologne, and the cultural art of incense. A mix of medical insight, history, and personal stories makes smell our most mysterious sense.

What if Frankenstein wasn’t just a legend, but a glimpse into medical science? In this episode, we explore the reality behind organ transplants — from the highest survival rates in kidney and cornea surgery to the toughest challenges like lung and intestine transplants. Then we push the limits: brain transplants, human cloning, and the ethics of building a “spare-parts” body. Mixing pop culture, mythology, and cutting-edge science, we ask the big question: if you replace organs—or even a brain—are you still you?

That song you once loved? Now it’s your alarm—and you hate it.

Why does the brain turn comforting sounds into sources of stress?

In this episode, we explore the strange psychology of sound aversion: from ASMR losing its charm, to alarms ruining your playlist, to ancient queens who loved the sound of silk tearing.

Discover how your brain rewires emotional responses to sound, and why your ears may hold more memories than you think.

Let’s talk noise, nostalgia, and the neuroscience of listening.