Science Vs

Latest Episodes:

Weight Loss Meds: Is Ozempic a Miracle Drug? Mar 23, 2023

Show notes

People say drugs like Ozempic are helping them lose tons of weight. But are these drugs really all they’re cracked up to be? Or could this be yet another dangerous weight loss fad? We talk to endocrinologists Prof. Tricia Tan and Dr. Daniela Hurtado.

Note: In this episode we discuss weight and weight loss. Please take care when listening, and here are some resources:

U.S. helpline for the National Eating Disorders Association: 800-931-2237

SAMHSA's National Helpline US: 800-662-HELP (4357)

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-TALK (8255), or text the Crisis Text Line (text HELLO to 741741).

Find other resources at: https://spotify.com/resources

Find our transcript here: https://bit.ly/3FIPHv8

Find Science Vs Weight: Is Fat Unhealthy? Here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/771Gz9oycoeqSYtOVopRqp

In this episode, we cover:

(00:00) What’s going on with Ozempic??

(03:07) Do diets work?

(09:00) How do drugs like Ozempic work?

(21:13) Are drugs like Ozempic safe?

(29:32) What’s our take on these weight loss drugs?

This episode was produced by Rose Rimler, Wendy Zukerman, R.E. Natowicz, Meryl Horn, Joel Werner, and Michelle Dang. We’re edited by Blythe Terrell. Gimlet’s managing director is Nicole Beemsterboer. Fact checking by Carmen Drahl. Mix and sound design by Bobby Lord. Music written by Bobby Lord, Emma Munger, So Wiley, Peter Leonard, and Bumi Hidaka. Thanks to all the researchers we spoke to including Dr. Akshay Jain, Prof. Daniel Drucker, Dr. Eva Pila, Prof. Jeffrey Friedman, Prof. John Blundell, Prof. Peter Butler, and Ted Kyle. Special thanks to Brendan Klinkenberg, the Zukerman Family and Joseph Lavelle Wilson. And a big thanks to everyone who wrote or called in about their experiences on these medications.

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Nerds, Assemble! Science Vs Is Back Mar 16, 2023

Show notes

We’ve got the goods on weight loss drugs, ketamine, pit bulls, skincare and more! Come for the science, stay for the jokes. Or vice versa. In your feeds March 23.

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Listen to Science Vs in Spanish! Feb 09, 2023

Show notes

Science Vs has gone bilingual! La Ciencia Vs is the Spanish-language version of the show, and today we’re introducing the amazing hosts, Dr. Leonora Milán and Dr. Alejandra Ortíz, and sharing the Serial Killers episode: Asesinos Seriales. Find more episodes — like Veganos, Placebo, ASMR, Ejercicio — on the La Ciencia Vs feed on Spotify.

This episode was produced by Michelle Dang and Wendy Zukerman. Mix and sound design by Bobby Lord. Edited by Blythe Terrell.

La Ciencia Vs es un podcast original de Spotify Producido por Soundshell Media. Producción ejecutiva Tania Miranda. Productoras: Patricia de la Rosa, Xiadani Gómez y Johanna El Zelah. Editado por Tania Miranda. Verificación de datos por Patricia de la Rosa y Xiadani Gómez. Consultora de localización: Carmen Graterol. Mezcla y diseño de audio por Pablo Betancourt, Marcos Cabal y Pablo Cervera. Música original por Bobby Lord. Gracias a todos los que colaboraron en este episodio como a Gabriela González. Gracias también a Rubén Bringas y Roberto Campos que nos ayudaron a recrear las entrevistas.

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Adderall: What's It Doing to Your Brain? Dec 09, 2022

Show notes

There’s an Adderall shortage across the U.S., and it’s causing huge problems for people with ADHD. But on the flip side, we hear people saying that we shouldn’t be giving this drug out anyway. So we wanted to know: What is Adderall, exactly? What is it doing in people’s brains? And is there any truth to this idea that Adderall is like meth — could it be dangerous? We talk to psychiatrist Prof. Rachel Fargason, neuroscientist Prof. Habibeh Khoshbouei, and actor Kai Liu.

If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, in the US you can call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP or visit their website.

Find our transcript here: https://bit.ly/sciencevsadderall

This episode was produced by Rose Rimler, with help from Meryl Horn, Michelle Dang, and Disha Bhagat. We’re edited by Blythe Terrell. Editing help from Caitlin Kenney. Wendy Zukerman is our Executive Producer. Fact checking by Diane Kelly. Mix and sound design by Bumi Hidaka. Music written by Bumi Hidaka, Emma Munger, Bobby Lord, SoWylie, and Peter Leonard. And a big thanks to the researchers we spoke to including Dr. Kenny Handelman, Prof. Gail Tripp, Prof. Lily Hechtman, Dr. Nora Volkow, Dr. Joshua Gordon, Prof. Stephen Faraone, Dr. Zheng Chang, and Prof. Carl Hart. A big thanks to Annette Heist, Anya Schultz, and Thom Dunn. And this is our last episode of the season! So an extra special thanks to everyone who helped us out this season, including Jack Weinstein, and Hunter, Chris Suter and Elise, and Presha Bhagat. We’ll see you next year!

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When Science and Superstitions Collide Dec 02, 2022

Show notes

This is the THIRTEENTH season of the show! So we’re diving into stories about superstitions and luck. We’ll share the eerie tale of a 13-legged sea creature. We’ll talk about a hot new telescope that’s trying to look back 13 billion years ago to uncover the secrets of the universe. And we’ll talk about a squeaky superstition that involves a rat — as the tooth fairy. We speak to marine biologist Dr. Julian Evans, astrophysicist Dr. Jeyhan Kartaltepe, and biologist Dr. Philip Cox.

UPDATE 12/16/22: A previous version of this episode incorrectly conflated the units of pressure and force when comparing the bites of great white sharks and rats. The episode has been updated to make the distinction between pressure and force more clear.

Here’s a link to our transcript: http://bit.ly/3ujIgo0

This episode was produced by Rose Rimler, Michelle Dang, Meryl Horn, and Disha Bhagat. We’re edited by Blythe Terrell. Wendy Zukerman is our Executive Producer. Fact checking by Eva Dasher. Mix and sound design by Bumi Hidaka. Music written by Bumi Hidaka, Emma Munger, Bobby Lord, and Peter Leonard. And a big thanks to the researchers we spoke to, including Professor Eduardo Fernandez-Duque, Dr. Ron Wasserstein, Professor Sander Greenland, Professor Natalie Batalha, and Dr. Terry Gosliner. Special thanks to Jen Hahn and Jonah Delso.

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Hypnosis: Does It Really Work? Nov 17, 2022

Show notes

What is hypnosis? Is it mind control? Are some people just faking? We’re revisiting this episode in which we explore the science of hypnosis and take Science Vs to the edge of consciousness. In the service of journalism, Wendy tries to get hypnotized at a comedy club and in a doctor’s office. We talk to comedian Jim Spinnato, Prof. Philip Muskin, Prof. Amanda Barnier, and Prof. Amir Raz.

Find our transcript here: bit.ly/sciencevshypnosis

This episode was produced by Heather Rogers, Michelle Dang and Wendy Zukerman, with help from Kaitlyn Sawrey, Austin Mitchell, Diane Wu, and Shruti Ravindran. Edited by Annie-Rose Strasser, Caitlin Kenney and Blythe Terrell. Fact checking by Michelle Harris and Ekedi Fausther-Keeys. Sound design and music production by Matthew Boll, mixed by Martin Peralta and Peter Leonard. Music written by Martin Peralta, Bobby Lord, Peter Leonard and Emma Munger. Thanks to Alex Blumberg for being the man that spoke pretty often in the end … and Jonathan Goldstein from the very amazing podcast Heavyweight for being our CIA agent.

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Deodorant: Is It Dangerous? Nov 10, 2022

Show notes

Today, we’re diving into your armpits! We’ll find out why some of us are so freaking smelly. And then we’re asking: Are deodorants and antiperspirants safe, or should we ditch our sticks? We’ll talk to microbiologist Professor Gavin H Thomas, microbiologist Research Associate Professor Julie Horvath, epidemiologist Associate Professor Hanno Ulmer, and epidemiologist Professor Julia Knight.

Here’s a link to our transcript: https://bit.ly/sciencevsdeodorant

This episode was produced by Meryl Horn, with help from Michelle Dang, Disha Bhagat, Rose Rimler, Courtney Gilbert, and Wendy Zukerman. We’re edited by Blythe Terrell. Additional editing help from Caitlin Kenney and Nicole Beemsterboer. Wendy Zukerman is our Executive Producer. Fact checking by Erica Akiko Howard. Mix and sound design by Bumi Hidaka. Music written by Bumi Hidaka, Emma Munger, Bobby Lord, and Peter Leonard. Thanks to all our listeners who left voicemails about their stinky pitties. And a big thanks to the researchers we spoke to, including Professor Philippa Darbre, Dr. Andreas Natsch, Dr. Rianne de Ligt, Dr. Cory Hartman, Dr. Kanika Khanna, Dr. Chris Callewaert, Dr. Caroline Allen, Professor Kris Graham McGrath, Dr. Adeline Kikam, Dr. Jamie Alan, and Professor Cornelia Baines. Special thanks to Krystal Hawes-Dressler, Hannah Chinn, Stevie Lane, as well as Jonathan Goldstein. He read our old timey deodorant ad. By the way, Jonathan’s show, Heavyweight, is BACK! The new season is here and it’s great. You can find it here: https://spoti.fi/3hB3F9a

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The Male Pill: When Is It Coming? Nov 03, 2022

Show notes

A male birth control pill has been this big tease for decades. And today, with the overturning of Roe v. Wade … a male pill might matter more than ever. So we’re grabbing science by the balls to find out – where is it? Will it ever get to the shelves? We talk to physicians Prof. John Amory and Dr. Brian Nguyen.

Find our transcript here: https://bit.ly/3zq9dcq

This episode was produced by Michelle Dang, with help from Disha Bhagat, Rose Rimler and Meryl Horn. We’re edited by Blythe Terrell. Additional editing help on this episode from Caitlin Kenney and Jorge Just. Wendy Zukerman is our Executive Producer. Fact checking by Diane Kelly. Mix and sound design by Bumi Hidaka. Music written by Bumi Hidaka, Emma Munger, Bobby Lord, and Peter Leonard. Special thanks to Thomas Rossetti, Jacob Rimler and Jack Weinstein.

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The Mystery of the Man Who Died Twice Oct 20, 2022

Show notes

A dead body turns up with a stolen identity. We tell the story of how a grandmother tracked down the truth — and helped create a whole new and controversial world of crime fighting. To tell this story, we talk to U.S. Marshal Peter Elliott, Dr. Margaret Press, and Phil Nichols. [REBROADCAST]

CN: This episode discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, in the U.S. you can call or text 988 to reach the government’s suicide and crisis help line. More mental health resources are available at spotify.com/resources.

Find our transcript here: https://bit.ly/3Rf1Vj1

This episode was produced by Rose Rimler and Kaitlyn Sawrey with help from Wendy Zukerman, Meryl Horn and Odelia Rubin. We’re edited by Blythe Terrell. Editing help from Alex Blumberg and Caitlin Kenney. Fact checking by Michelle Harris and Ekedi Fausther-Keeys. Mix and sound design by Emma Munger. Music by Emma Munger and Bobby Lord. A huge thanks to all the people we got in touch with for this episode, including Dr. Colleen Fitzpatrick at DNA Doe Project and Curtis Rogers at GEDmatch. Recording help from Selene Ross, Tana Weingartner and Daniel Robison.

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Mass Shootings: How Do We Stop Them? Oct 13, 2022

Show notes

Buffalo. Uvalde. Highland Park. These mass shootings keep happening. One side says the problem is the guns, and the other side says the problem is the people. Who’s right? And what policies might actually work to stop mass shootings? We talk to NSSF spokesperson Mark Oliva, gun control researcher Prof. Mark Gius, criminologist Dr. Jillian Peterson, and epidemiologist Dr. Veronica Pear.

Link to our transcript: https://bit.ly/3VsbWeY

For more on this topic, check out

Science Vs Gun Violence

Science Vs Gun Control

This episode was produced by Rose Rimler, with help from Disha Bhagat, Meryl Horn and Michelle Dang. We’re edited by Blythe Terrell. Additional editing help from Caitlin Kenney and Nicole Beemsterboer. Wendy Zukerman is our executive producer. Fact checking by Erica Akiko Howard. Mix and sound design by Bumi Hidaka. Music written by Bumi Hidaka, Emma Munger, Bobby Lord, Peter Leonard and SoWylie. Thanks to all the scientists we spoke to for this episode, including Prof. Adam Lankford, Dr. Cassandra Crifasi, Dr. Emma Fridel, Prof. Emmy Betz, Dr. Jackie Schildkraut, Dr. Kaitlin Boyle, Dr. Paul Reeping, Dr. Rosanna Smart, Dr. Sonali Rajan, Dr. Tristan Bridges, and Dr. Tara Tober. Special thanks to Jack Weinstein.

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