Sidenote by AsapSCIENCE What ACTUALLY Causes Autism? Tylenol, pollutants, screen time ...
Sep 23, 2025
The hosts dive into the rising rates of autism, debunking myths around Tylenol use during pregnancy. They discuss the dominant role genetics play, accounting for up to 90% of autism risk. Additionally, environmental factors like pollution and screen time are examined, but found insufficient to explain recent trends. The conversation highlights the evolving understanding of diagnoses, noting the influence of stigma reduction and broader criteria on reported cases. Finally, they critique the politicization of autism and emphasize the dangers of misinformation.
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Lockbox To Curb Phone Addiction
- Mitch and Greg describe personal struggles with phone addiction and using lockboxes.
- They report being more productive and calm when phones are locked away during focused periods.
Genetics Is The Primary Driver
- Genetics explains most autism risk, with heritability ~70–90%.
- Researchers compare this to height to show large inherited influence.
No Single Genetic Smoking Gun
- Scientists cannot yet point to single genes because brain genetics are extremely complex.
- Expect no simple 'one cause' solution for autism due to this complexity.
