Chemistry For Your Life

Why do airplanes make you gassy?

Listen Later

#211

Melissa and Jam delve into the chemistry behind increased flatulence on airplanes. They explore how changes in air pressure affect gas expansion in the human body, leading to more frequent gas release during flights. The discussion covers the physiology of high altitude flatus expulsion (HAFE), personal anecdotes, and practical advice for managing this phenomenon. Additionally, they touch on how airplane cabin air is regulated and hint at more topics related to airplane air quality in the next episode.

00:00 The Unpleasant Reality of Airplane Odors

01:02 Introducing the Chemistry Behind Airplane Gas
01:51 Meet the Hosts and Episode Dedication
02:30 Listener's Question: Why So Gassy on Flights?
03:47 Exploring Air Pressure and Gas Expansion
05:59 The Science of Airplane Cabin Pressure
15:02 Personal Stories and Practical Examples
18:15 Balancing Safety and Comfort in Airplane Cabin Pressure
19:33 The Impact of Carbon Filters on Airplane Seats
20:02 Personal Anecdotes: The Struggles of Holding in Gas
22:53 The Science Behind Gas Pain and Altitude Sickness
29:53 Travel Tips and Memorable Plane Stories
34:41 Wrapping Up and Listener Engagement

★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

★ Buy Podcast Merch and Apparel ★

Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com

Watch our episodes on YouTube

Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife

References from this episode:

  1. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/air-space-magazine/how-things-work-cabin-pressure-2870604/
  2. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-airplane-windows-dont/#:~:text=Gravity%20tends%20to%20keep%20air,hypoxia%2C%20or%20lack%20of%20oxygen.
  3. https://cen.acs.org/safety/consumer-safety/Periodic-Graphics-chemistry-airplane-air/102/i26
  4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK207472/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hM9P1_Xuayk&t=1s
  5. https://www.acs.org/catalyzing-change/when-a-good-relationship-turns-toxic-ozone-on-airplanes.html
  6. https://www.grc.nasa.gov/www/k-12/UEET/StudentSite/dynamicsofflight.html
  7. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/air-space-magazine/how-things-work-cabin-pressure-2870604/
  8. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1272559/
  9. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306987713003204?casa_token=15eE-dbT_SsAAAAA:tapMXnm3_aFXzlYYcuqITcGuq2beGzm8jvGido_IzMZZMdhezweqXyayesk3VBVrg_cq9luDCg

    10. Thanks to our monthly supporters

    • Vince W
    • Julie S.
    • Heather R
    • Autoclave
    • Chelsea M
    • Dorien VD
    • Scott B
    • Jessie R
    • Ciara L
    • J0HNTR0Y
    • Jeannette N
    • Cullyn R
    • Erica B
    • Elizabeth P
    • Sarah M
    • Rachel R
    • Letila
    • Katrina B
    • Suzanne P
    • Venus R
    • Lyn S
    • Jacob T
    • Brian K
    • Emerson W
    • Kristina G
    • Timothy P
    • Steven B
    • Chris and Claire S
    • Chelsea B
    • Avishai B
    • Hunter R
      • ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
      ★ Buy Podcast Merch and Apparel ★

      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.

      ...more
      View all episodesView all episodes
      Download on the App Store
      Chemistry For Your LifeBy Melissa and Jam, Bleav
      • 4.6
      • 4.6
      • 4.6
      • 4.6
      • 4.6

      4.6

      294 ratings

      More shows like Chemistry For Your Life

      View all
      Science Quickly by Scientific American

      Science Quickly

      1,381 Listeners

      The Naked Scientists Podcast by The Naked Scientists

      The Naked Scientists Podcast

      599 Listeners

      Nature Podcast by Springer Nature Limited

      Nature Podcast

      756 Listeners

      SpaceTime with Stuart Gary by Stuart Gary

      SpaceTime with Stuart Gary

      321 Listeners

      The Quanta Podcast by Quanta Magazine

      The Quanta Podcast

      544 Listeners

      Science Vs by Spotify Studios

      Science Vs

      12,130 Listeners

      Discovery by BBC World Service

      Discovery

      965 Listeners

      BBC Inside Science by BBC Radio 4

      BBC Inside Science

      410 Listeners

      Science Magazine Podcast by Science Magazine

      Science Magazine Podcast

      818 Listeners

      Unexpected Elements by BBC World Service

      Unexpected Elements

      363 Listeners

      CrowdScience by BBC World Service

      CrowdScience

      471 Listeners

      Ologies with Alie Ward by Alie Ward

      Ologies with Alie Ward

      24,585 Listeners

      The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week by Popular Science

      The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week

      2,184 Listeners

      Daniel and Kelly’s Extraordinary Universe by iHeartPodcasts

      Daniel and Kelly’s Extraordinary Universe

      2,367 Listeners

      The Supermassive Podcast by The Royal Astronomical Society

      The Supermassive Podcast

      323 Listeners