Jul 8

Why Is North Sentinel Island Totally Off-Limits?

This small island in the Bay of Bengal is home to one of the last uncontacted peoples on the planet -- and they seem to want to keep it that way. Learn how North Sentinel Island has remained independent in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuf ... Show More

9m 41s

Jul 7

How Have Obituaries Changed?

Public death notices about common people are a fairly recent development, and they've changed a lot since their inception. Learn how obituaries went from dry statements to tributes to truth in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://people.howstuffworks.com/cul ... Show More

8m 20s

Jul 6

BrainStuff Classics: What Is the Mandela Effect?

When many people share a false memory, that's the Mandela Effect in action -- but how does it happen? Learn how our individual brains misremember stuff and how false memories can spread in this classic episode of BrainStuff.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

6m 35s

Dec 2021

Future GMO Foods, The Thought Gap, How Your Brain Knows You’re Uncomfortable

Learn about why researchers are developing new GMO foods like golden rice; why you underestimate how often others are thinking about you; and how your brain knows when you’re uncomfortable and you need to change your position.FDA's Feed Your Mind website: https://www.fda.gov/food ... Show More

12m 53s

Mar 2020

Boost Self-Control by Asking for Support, Gene-Stealing Organisms, and How Lipreading Works in the Brain

Learn about a research-backed way to achieve better self control by asking for help from others; how Ambystoma salamanders “steal” DNA from other species via kleptogenesis; and how your brain can process visual information as sound.For better self control, ask for support from ot ... Show More

10m 22s

Apr 2022

Why does rain smell?

#029 RebroadcastWhat's that smell? This week, Melissa and Jam explore the chemistry of smell. Now a lot of smell science has to do with our physiology and neurology. We'll talk some about that, but the chemistry has to do with the actual smells in the air. What are they? How do t ... Show More

35m 52s

Nov 2021

Why bitter foods are better for you

Many of us describe ourselves as having a sweet tooth. But science is now unlocking the secrets of why having a well-developed taste and tolerance to bitter foods could have a wealth of health benefits. But even with their many health benefits, the bitterness of foods such as bro ... Show More

6m 47s

Apr 2012

Body Odor: You Stink

Chuck and Josh end up making reduxes of past episodes on things like sweating and deodorant in this all-new episode on the science beneath what makes people smell. Learn all about your odor in this episode of Stuff You Should Know. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www. ... Show More

45m 24s

Sep 2022

Sniffing Out the Cause of Smell Loss

Imagine if your morning cup of coffee one day smelled like rotting garbage. Or, if your favorite comfort food had no taste at all. For some COVID long haulers, this is their new reality. What causes these distortions in smell and taste in the first place? And, what treatment opti ... Show More

34m 7s

Dec 2020

Do People Think More in Words or Pictures?

Learn about whether people think in words or in pictures; why brussels sprouts really are tastier than they used to be; and why buying luxury items might make you feel like an impostor.Whether People Think in Words or Pictures by Ashley Hamer (Listener question from Alicia)(2020) ... Show More

13m 10s

Feb 2020

Why Brussels Sprouts Taste Better Now, Luxury Buying Makes People Feel Fake, and Whether People Think in Words or Pictures

Learn about whether people think in words or in pictures; why brussels sprouts really are tastier than they used to be; and why buying luxury items might make you feel like an impostor.Whether People Think in Words or Pictures by Ashley Hamer (Listener question from Alicia)(2020) ... Show More

14m 16s

BrainStuff Classics: What Makes Durian F...