Unbiased Science

Latest Episodes:

UnbiasedSciPod x PedsDocTalk: Challenges in Pandemic Sci Comm May 04, 2022

Show notes

On this week’s episode of the pod, we are sharing our conversation with a fellow science communicator, Dr. Mona Amin, founder of Peds Doc Talk.

We were recently guests on her podcast and thought we would share our discussion here since it is very relevant to Unbiased Science. Dr. Mona is a Board certified pediatrician who launched her podcast and social media page (@pedsdoctalk) to help parents sift through misguided parenting advice and crappy information, and tune out the judgemental comments on the mom-forums. Together, we broadly discuss the topic of misinformation in science. We address the following questions:

• What could have been done differently in this pandemic

• The difference between misinformation and disinformation

• What’s next in this pandemic

• Why debunking information is so difficult as science-educators

• What it means when a pandemic becomes endemic

We hope you enjoy this episode as much as we enjoyed recording it!

Check us out on Substack and Instagram:

www.theunbiasedscipod.substack.com

https://www.instagram.com/unbiasedscipod

PLEASE NOTE: The discussion and information provided in this podcast are for general educational, scientific, and informational purposes only and are not intended as, and should not be treated as, medical or other professional advice for any particular individual or individuals. Every person and medical issue is different, and diagnosis and treatment requires consideration of specific facts often unique to the individual. As such, the information contained in this podcast should not be used as a substitute for consultation with and/or treatment by a doctor or other medical professional. If you are experiencing any medical issue or have any medical concern, you should consult with a doctor or other medical professional.

Further, due to the inherent limitations of a podcast such as this as well as ongoing scientific developments, we do not guarantee the completeness or accuracy of the information or analysis provided in this podcast, although, of course we always endeavor to provide comprehensive information and analysis. In no event may Unbiased Science or any of the participants in this podcast be held liable to the listener or anyone else for any decision allegedly made or action allegedly taken or not taken allegedly in reliance on the discussion or information in this podcast or for any damages allegedly resulting from such reliance.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Adrenal Fatigue: A Tired Medical Myth Apr 20, 2022

Show notes

On this episode of the pod, we tackle a topic that is rife with misinformation and controversy: the medical myth of adrenal fatigue.

To break things down, we brought in an expert: Dr. Eve Bloomgarden who is a board-certified endocrinologist with clinical expertise in the diagnosis and management of thyroid disorders and cancer, as well as pituitary and adrenal disorders.

To kick things off, we discuss the industry around adrenal fatigue and the claims made by self-proclaimed "experts" on this topic, many of whom sell supplements and "cures." Next, we turn to the real science and discuss adrenal glands and their purpose. We spend some time talking about cortisol production and the pituitary gland, as well as our bodies' stress response. Then we talk about the bogus claims about diagnosing adrenal fatigue and WHY they are not science-based. We break down the supplements and "treatments" being marketed for adrenal fatigue and why they can actually be harmful to us! We spend some time discussing legitimate medical issues related to adrenal glands and cortisol such as Cushing's Syndrome and Addison's Disease. We really enjoyed this week's episode and hope you do, too!

Want more Unbiased Science? Check out our Substack subscription. Subscribing gets you access to daily detailed content, our private Facebook page and monthly live Q&A, the ability to pick post and podcast topics, merch discount codes, and more!

Also, be sure to follow us on Instagram

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Yoni Eggs and Vaginal Steaming? We Cliterally Cannot. Apr 06, 2022

Show notes

On this week's episode of the pod, we had the pleasure of welcoming Dr. Jennifer Lincoln (OB/GYN, author, educator, and science communicator extraordinaire) to help us tackle vaginal health myths!

We start with a quick anatomy primer to set the stage for our discussion. Next, we debunk the myth that the vagina needs to be cleaned with soaps, douches, and other products (spoiler alert: it's self-cleaning). Then we really shake things up with a take-down of yoni eggs and vaginal steaming. We go on to discuss vaginal discharge, odor, and some misconceptions about those topics. This leads us to vaginal detox pearls: potentially dangerous products. We go on to discuss vaginal probiotics, peeing after sex, and, finally, pubic hair grooming. This is one of our all-time favorite episodes and you don't want to miss it!

Check us out on Substack and Instagram:

www.theunbiasedscipod.substack.com

https://www.instagram.com/unbiasedscipod

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Clean Beauty Is All Made Up Mar 23, 2022

Show notes

On this week's episode of the pod, we welcome Dr. Ranella Hirsch, a board-certified dermatologist and expert in the fields of cosmetic and laser dermatology, to discuss the term "clean beauty."

We kick things off with a discussion of the business of clean beauty and its booming industry. Next, we discuss the lack of a standardized definition of "clean" and how it is often vague and nondescript. We go on to debunk some common myths including that clean beauty products are "chemical-free", that they are "all natural" (and better than synthetic products), and that they are safer because they do not contain preservatives. We discuss the environmental impact of "natural" and "clean" products and their sustainability. We hope you'll tune in to hear the dirt we dug up on clean beauty and maybe save some money on your next beauty haul!

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Love and Happiness: The Science of Relationships Mar 09, 2022

Show notes

On this week's episode of the pod, we tackle the science and chemistry of love.

We start out with a discussion of the social determinants of health including how relationships and social connectedness have a profound impact on our health and longevity.

We discuss some recent studies of the impact of social ties (as well as a lack thereof) on health outcomes including depression, cardiovascular health, wound-healing, and immunity. While we focus on the impact of marriage and long-term partnership, we also discuss the impact of non-romantic relationships and friendships. We then discuss the different categories of romantic love, with a particular emphasis on the neurotransmitter chemicals involved in these physiological and psychological responses. You don't want to miss this one!

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Unbiased Science x Dr. Tom Frieden: Pandemic Rewind Feb 23, 2022

Show notes

We had the honor and privilege of speaking with Dr. Tom Frieden in August 2021 about the COVID-19 pandemic. For those who may not be familiar, Dr. Frieden is a physician, former Director of the CDC, former Health Commissioner for NYC, and currently serves as the President and CEO of Resolve to Save Lives, a public health organization focused on tackling cardiovascular disease and prevention of epidemics.

During our chat, we covered many topics including: the Delta variant (which was the dominant strain of the virus at that time), addressing vaccine hesitancy, navigating the pandemic with young children, vaccine mandates and lockdowns, the role of testing in controlling COVID-19 spread, our approach to emergency preparedness, and much more! Though this discussion took place about 6 months ago, much of the content is still very relevant today! We hope you’ll tune in.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Leaky Gut Syndrome: Gastronomical Misconceptions Feb 09, 2022

Show notes

This week's podcast topic was selected by our Patreon subscribers (the Mad Scientists): Leaky Gut Syndrome.

This topic is rife with misconceptions, so we brought in a guest host, Dr. Jessie Hoffman (Registered Dietitian and Assistant Professor/Researcher in Human Nutrition), to help break things down. We kick things off with a discussion of the term "Leaky Gut Syndrome" -- specifically, what it is used to describe and how the term gained popularity. We talk about how we digest food and the physiology of our "gut." We discuss what the term leaky gut means in science versus what it means in ‘pop medicine’, and how it is supposedly diagnosed. Next, we talk about treatments (many of which are bogus and potentially dangerous). We chat about how leaky gut is often used as scapegoat for other illnesses and the dangers of misdiagnosis. You don't want to miss this!

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We Don't Need No Thought Control: The Psychology of Disinformation and Cult Mentality Jan 26, 2022

Show notes

On this episode of the pod we are joined by a special guest, Dr. Jay Van Bavel, who is an Associate Professor of Psychology and Neural Science at New York University, to discuss the anti-vaccine movement, cult-mentality, and the predilection for conspiratorial thinking.

We summarize some factors that contribute to susceptibility to cult mentality and the rapid increase in these mentalities during the pandemic. We discuss some underlying reasons that lead to the distrust of experts and the concept of "the death of expertise." We talk about the newly coined term, "mass formation psychosis" and what it means (and doesn't mean). We talk about the handful of physicians and scientists who seemingly "switch teams" and promote anti-science theories and conspiracies. Finally, we spend some time talking about "trolls," how to deal with them, and whether it is possible to break through to them. You don't want to miss this!

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

If I Could Turn Back Time: Aging and Longevity Jan 12, 2022

Show notes

On this week's episode, we tackle something that each and every one of us will experience whether we like it or not...aging.

We discuss life expectancy as a metric and shifting demographics over time. We touch upon the impact of nature versus nature on the aging process and social determinants of health that may impact the quantity and quality of our lives. We zoom in on the cellular process of aging to discuss what happens to our bodies as we age. We discuss some well-known longitudinal studies on aging and longevity and their findings-- including some of the predictors of longevity, as well as cognitive health later in life. We spend some time talking about the blue zones around the world (places with the highest concentration of centenarians) and the evidence-based common denominators that link these populations. This episode sets the stage for many future episodes we plan to record on epigenetics, the booming anti-aging cosmetic industry, and more. You don't want to miss this!

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Do We All Scream For Ice Cream? Dec 22, 2021

Show notes

On today's episode of the pod, we answer the question, "why do things taste different to different people?"

This episode is a bit lighter than our usual content and is a sweet note on which to end 2021!

We discuss the different components involved in taste including the detection of flavors, taste bud structure and function, as well as some determinants of individual taste preferences. We spend some time talking about taste receptor cells and their role in detecting flavors. Next, we describe how the ‘flavor’ we detect is composed of specific combinations of chemicals which activate different taste receptor cells. We talk about sensory capabilities and why some people prefer certain flavors over others. Then we do something a little different-- we utilize some very simple data collection tools and methodologies (both quantitative and qualitative) to demonstrate the diversity in taste preferences. We hope you enjoy listening to this episode as much as we did creating it. Happy and healthy holidays from Jess, Andrea, and the entire Unbiased Science team!

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.