Science Vs

We’re hearing a ton about the marvels of testosterone from influencers, celebrities, and even government officials. They say we should be thinking about our T levels, topping them off with extra if they’re too low. And we’re told that the benefits of testosterone are HUGE: that we’ll be stronger, sexier, and more energized. So is that true?? And if you do go for a testosterone bump, do you need to worry about possible side effects, like ’roid rage, infertility and other risks? We talk to endocrinologists Prof. Shalender Bhasin and Prof. Richard Auchus as well as social psychologist Dr. Justin Carré to find out. 



Find our transcript here: https://tinyurl.com/ScienceVsTestosterone 



Find Wendy's chat about Bigorexia here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsZEfTWuIqg



In this episode, we cover:

(00:00) We’re obsessed with testosterone

(02:59) Will T make you bigger and stronger?

(09:25) ‘Roid rage

(18:04) Will T turn you into a horndog?

(25:48) Will T put pep in your step? 

(27:51) The risks of taking T

(31:49) Why are we like this?



This episode was produced by Rose Rimler, with help from Meryl Horn, Ekedi Fausther-Keeys, and Michelle Dang. We're edited by Blythe Terrell. Wendy Zukerman is the executive producer. Fact-checking by Marlowe Starling. Video editing and sound by Bobby Lord.



Music written by Bumi Hidaka, Peter Leonard, Emma Munger, and Bobby Lord. Thanks to the researchers we spoke to for this episode, including Dr. Kathleen Casto, Dr. Carol Hooven, Professor Ruth Wood, Dr. Stephanie Page, Professor Sari van Anders, Dr. Adam Stanaland, and Professor Anthony Hackney. Thanks to Humdinger Studios in Melbourne and Wolf Island Studios in New York City.



Science Vs is a Spotify Studios Original. Listen for free on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Follow us and tap the bell for episode notifications.


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Have you been puzzled by your poos or felt down about your dumps?? You’re not alone! So many of us are struggling with gut issues, which is why fiber is having a major moment. But even though we’re secretly guzzling psyllium husk, tons of us are too embarrassed to talk about our poo problems. No more! We’re putting an end to the silence on stool with Dr. Trisha Pasricha. She’s a neurogastroenterologist and author of “You’ve Been Pooping All Wrong.” We find out what poo actually IS and how often you should go — plus, we get the dirt on the surprising connection between your brain and your gut, and how it might be the key to understanding diseases like Parkinson’s. 

Find our transcript here:  ScienceVs 

In this episode, we cover:

Time stamp and titles for each chapter (first chapter must start at 00:00, minimum 3 chapters)

(00:00) Intro 

(02:45) What does it mean to reach “poophoria”??

(04:37) Living in a poo-forward household

(05:54) Stomach lie detector 

(11:06) That sinking feeling in your stomach

(13:48) The gut-brain connection

(17:05) Parkinson’s and Alzheimer's

(22:05) Fecal transplants

(26:09) Poo 101

(29:46) Fiber-maxxing and how often you should go 

(34:52) Why you shouldn’t linger on the toilet 

(43:09) Myths around poo

(49:42) Oddball questions

This episode was produced by Ekedi Fausther-Keeys and Wendy Zukerman, with help from Rose Rimler, Meryl Horn, and Michelle Dang. We’re edited by Blythe Terrell. Wendy Zukerman is the executive producer. Fact checking by Erica Akiko Howard. Video editing and sound by Bobby Lord. Music written by Bumi Hidaka, Peter Leonard, Emma Munger and Bobby Lord. Thanks to the researchers we spoke to for this episode including Dr. Jessica Biesiekierski, as well as Humdinger Studios in Melbourne, and WGBH Studios in Boston.  

Science Vs is a Spotify Studios Original. Listen for free on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can also find us on YouTube, TikTok and Instagram.


Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Collagen peptides!! Can they make you look younger and be healthier? It feels like everyone wants to be bursting with collagen, and apparently the way to do it is by scooping up that white powder of collagen peptides and guzzling it down. Do that, and — according to the wellfluencers — not only will your skin be as bouncy as a baby's bottom, but you'll also be stronger and you'll heal from injuries faster. But of course, not everyone is on the collagen train. There are the collagen haters, who say that eating collagen is a load of baloney. So who's right? To find out, we talk to dietetics Professor Clare Collins, dermatologist Dr. Natalia Spierings, exercise physiologists Professor Luc van Loon and Professor Keith Baar, neutromuscular physiologist Dr. Robert Erskine, as well as sports performance consultant Dr. Dana Lis. 

 

Find our transcript here: https://tinyurl.com/ScienceVsCollagen

In this episode, we cover:

(00:00) Collagen peptides are EVERYWHERE

(02:52) Why is collagen important?

(05:25) What are collagen "peptides"?

(05:54) Do collagen peptides in creams or injections work?

(06:40) Can eating collagen improve your skin?

(12:35) What happens to collagen after you eat it?

(18:45) How to build more collagen

(24:56) Can eating collagen improve sports performance?

(28:31) Should you take collagen supplements?(31:47) What are the risks of collagen peptides?

This episode was produced by Wendy Zukerman, with help from Rose Rimler, Ekedi Fausther-Keeys, Meryl Horn and Michelle Dang. We’re edited by Blythe Terrell. Fact checking by Marlowe Starling. Additional research from Isabel Gil. Video editing and sound mix by Bobby Lord. Music written by Bumi Hidaka, Peter Leonard, Emma Munger and Bobby Lord. Thanks to Humdinger Studios in Melbourne and Wolff Island Studios in New York City. Thanks to the researchers we spoke to for this episode, plus a big thanks to Joseph Lavelle Wilson and the Zukerman family.

Science Vs is a Spotify Studios Original. Listen for free on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can also find us on YouTube, TikTok and Instagram.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Our brains go completely WILD when we go through our teenage years. It’s a time where it feels like every disagreement with our parents turns into World War III, and every idea that could get us killed sounds like the most fun we could ever have. In this episode, we get into the science of what the brain is doing during the teenage years with clinical psychologist Dr. Lisa Damour. Lisa co-wrote the college textbook “Abnormal Psychology” and was a consultant on Disney's “Inside Out 2.” She takes us deep into the developing brain to explain what makes teens tick. Plus, we talk about mental health, how boys and girls are struggling in different ways, and tips for anyone who has big feelings.  



Find our transcript here: https://tinyurl.com/ScienceVsTeenBrain



Check out Lisa Damour’s podcast, Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens & Teens, here:

https://open.spotify.com/show/2GIh790via4L7oGAJ2mz1b 



In this episode, we cover:

(00:00) Meet Lisa Damour

(05:33) The teenage brain

(11:20) Big feelings, what they mean, and how to respond 

(19:56) The teenage brain and abstract thinking

(22:34) Teenagers and risk-taking

(29:18) How long does adolescence really last?? 

(33:47) The different kinds of popularity

(41:58) Should we be worried about kids these days?

(46:57) How boys are struggling and how can we help

(51:49) Oddball questions



Credits:

This episode was produced by Wendy Zukerman with help from Ekedi Fausther-Keeys, Rose Rimler, Michelle Dang and Meryl Horn. We’re edited by Blythe Terrell. Wendy Zukerman is the executive producer. Fact checking by Diane Kelly. Video editing and sound design by Bobby Lord. Music written by Bobby Lord, Bumi Hidaka, So Wylie, Emma Munger and Peter Leonard. 

Science Vs is a Spotify Studios Original. You can join us for free on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Follow us and tap the bell for episode notifications.


Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Stress! We’re all feeling it. And besides just feeling crappy, we’re also told that stress can wreak havoc on our bodies. The internet has a million solutions: vagus nerve stimulators, deep breaths, or a hot sauna! If that doesn’t work, maybe a cold plunge? But what does the science say about all this — what works to lower our stress? And is it really THAT bad to be stressed out? We dive into the research to find out, with psychology Professor Mark Seery, psychology Professor Jeremy Jamieson, and anatomist Dr. Theresa Larkin. 

 

Find our transcript here: https://tinyurl.com/ScienceVsStress 

In this episode, we cover:

(00:00) We’re all stressed out! 

(02:37) Is stress that bad for us?

(13:55) A healthier stress response

(22:32) How our vagus nerves are involved in stress

(25:57) Can we “hack” our vagus nerves? 

(30:42) What else can relieve stress? 

This episode was produced by Meryl Horn, with help from Michelle Dang, Rose Rimler, and Ekedi Fausther-Keeys. We’re edited by Blythe Terrell. Wendy Zukerman is the executive producer. Fact checking by Erica Akiko Howard. Video editing and sound by Bobby Lord. Music written by Bumi Hidaka, Peter Leonard, Emma Munger and Bobby Lord. Thanks to the researchers we spoke to for this episode including Professor Julie Vašků, Dr. Christopher Austelle, Professor Daryl O'Connor, and Dr. Jennifer Wild, as well as Humdinger Studios in Melbourne. And thanks as well to Humdinger Studios in Melbourne.

Science Vs is a Spotify Studios Original. Listen for free on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can also find us on YouTube, TikTok and Instagram.
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