Can plunging into an ice bath make us feel happier? What about gratitude journaling? We’re digging into some of the quirkiest self-care hacks around the internet to find out what the science says — and whether you should add them to your routine. We talk to environmental physiologist Dr. Heather Massey, counseling psychologist Prof. Joel Wong, and social psychologist Dr. Juliana Schroeder. This episode does mention depression. Here are some crisis hotlines:  United States: US National Suicide Prevention Lifeline  988 (Online chat available); US Crisis Text Line Text “GO” to 741741 Australia: Lifeline 13 11 14 (Online chat available) Canada: Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention (See link for phone numbers listed by province) United Kingdom: Samaritans 116 123 (UK and ROI) (Online chat available) Full list of international hotlines here  Find our transcript here: https://bit.ly/ScienceVsSelfCareIn this episode, we cover:(00:00) Chapter 1: Trendy self-care hacks(02:13) Chapter 2: Ice baths: How our body reacts(07:40) Chapter 3: Can cold plunges help with depression?(12:41) Chapter 4: The risks of ice baths(16:24) Chapter 5: Does gratitude journaling make us happier?(20:39) Chapter 6: How does gratitude work?(26:29) Chapter 7: When self-care isn’t just about yourself …This episode was produced by Michelle Dang, with help from Wendy Zukerman, Nick DelRose, Joel Werner, and Rose Rimler. We’re edited by Blythe Terrell. Fact checking by Carmen Drahl. Mix and sound design by Bumi Hidaka. Music written by Bobby Lord, Bumi Hidaka, Emma Munger, Peter Leonard, and So Wylie. Thanks to everyone we spoke to for this episode – especially Professor Megan Azad. And special thanks to the Zukerman Family and Joseph Lavelle Wilson. 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.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A controversial Netflix documentary called 'Unknown: Cave of Bones' has ignited a fierce debate among scientists. The film presents extraordinary claims about a mysterious ape-like creature that lived hundreds of thousands of years ago. Some scientists are skeptical, arguing that the evidence doesn't support these claims. In this podcast, host interviews National Geographic Explorer Lee Berger, along with scientists Andy Herries and Jamie Hodgkins, to explore the controversy. They discuss the evidence for burial practices and rock art, and delve into the implications of presenting incomplete scientific claims to the public.

The podcast explores the safety and health effects of vaping, including respiratory symptoms, flavors, and the impact on the immune system and brain. It delves into the addictive nature of vaping and the effects of nicotine on depression and dopamine release in the brain. The podcast also compares the harm of smoking cigarettes to vaping.

"Breathfluencers" claim breathwork can cure depression and improve brain function. Psychiatrists Professor David Spiegel and Dr. Patricia Gerbarg discuss the benefits of breathwork for stress reduction, depression, and PTSD. They explain how breathing works, the negative effects of mouth breathing on memory, and the benefits of nose breathing. The podcast explores the scientific understanding of breathwork and its potential impact on well-being and anxiety levels. It also explores the connection between smells and memory and the surprising effectiveness of cyclic breathing techniques.

This podcast season will cover topics such as healthy foods, breathing science, energy drink dangers, the search for new life, and more.

Brie Smith, Micah Truman, Katrina Spade, and Thomas Bass discuss the impact and process of composting human bodies. They explore the environmental benefits, legal issues, and efforts to legalize human composting. They also touch on pathogen survival and safety concerns surrounding the practice.

The podcast explores the orgasm gap between men and women, discussing the complexity of the female orgasm and the role of science. It delves into the science behind orgasms, including brain activity and physical differences. The development of genitals and the larger size of the clitoris are also explored. The impact of societal messages on orgasms, including shame and guilt, is discussed, as well as strategies for achieving orgasm.

Here’s the episode you voted as our best wellness episode: Exercise! Lots of people hit the gym to shed unwanted pounds, but they don’t always see results on the scale. We tackle the power of exercise and why you should bother. We speak with obesity expert Dr. Yoni Freedhoff, psychiatrist Dr. Gary Cooney, neuroscientist Prof. Wendy Suzuki and urologist Dr. Stacey Kenfield.Find our transcript here: https://bit.ly/SVFavWellnessEpThis episode was produced by Wendy Zukerman, with help from Meryl Horn, Rose Rimler and Lexi Krupp. Our senior producer is Kaitlyn Sawrey. We’re edited by Caitlin Kenney and Blythe Terrell. Fact checking by Diane Kelly. Mix and sound design of this episode was by Bobby Lord. Mix and sound design of our original episode was by Peter Leonard. Music by Peter Leonard, Emma Munger and Bobby Lord. Recording assistance from Joel Cox, Andrea Rangecroft, Natalie Jones, and Mark Totti.  A huge thanks to all the scientists we got in touch with for this episode, including Professor Virginia Berridge, Professor James Blumenthal, Professor Kirk Erickson,  Dr Tara Walker, Dr Shannon Halloway, Professor Steven Petruzzello, Dr Kristine Beaulieu, Dr Aric Sudicky and many others! A special thanks to the Emmanuel Dzotsi, the Zukerman family, and Joseph Lavelle Wilson.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.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Here’s the episode you voted as our best drug episode: Magic Mushrooms! People are saying that shrooms cured their depression and anxiety. But is this for real? How could taking a trip on psychedelics fix your brain? Today, magic mushrooms ditch their tie dye for a lab coat as we go on a magical journey into the science. We talk to clinical psychologists Dr. Alan Davis and Dr. Albert Garcia-Romeu, and neuropsychologist Dr. Katrin Preller.Here’s a link to our transcript: https://bit.ly/SVFavDrugsEpThis episode does deal with depression. Here are some crisis hotlines:  United States: US National Suicide Prevention Lifeline  988 (Online chat available); US Crisis Text Line Text “GO” to 741741 Australia: Lifeline 13 11 14 (Online chat available) Canada: Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention (See link for phone numbers listed by province) United Kingdom: Samaritans 116 123 (UK and ROI) (Online chat available) Full list of international hotlines here  This episode was produced by Meryl Horn and Michelle Dang with help from Wendy Zukerman, Nick DelRose, Rose Rimler and Hannah Harris Green. We’re edited by Blythe Terrell. Fact checking by Diane Kelly. Mix and sound design of this episode was by Bobby Lord. Mix and sound design of our original episode was by Peter Leonard. Music written by Peter Leonard, Marcus Bagala, Emma Munger, and Bobby Lord. A huge thanks to all the researchers we got in touch with for this episode, including Prof. David Nichols, Dr. James Rucker, Prof. Bryan Roth, Dr. Erika Dyck, Dr. Daniel Wacker, Mary Cosimano, Dr. Fred Barrett, Dr. Natalie Gukasyan, Dr. Jeff Guss, Dr. Suresh Muthukumaraswamy. Prof. Harriet de Wit, Dr. Nadia Hutten, Dr. Vince Polito, Dr. Kim Kuypers and Dr. Matt Kasson. Thanks to all the clinical trial participants and ‘psychonauts’ who spoke to us. And special thanks to Lexi Krupp, Zukerman family and Joseph Lavelle Wilson.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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today we're going behind the scenes of Christopher Nolan's blockbuster film “Oppenheimer.” Professor David Saltzberg, one of the scientists who consulted on the movie (also “The Big Bang Theory”), joins us to chat about the science behind the movie. We also giggle about working with actors like Cillian Murphy to explain complicated science, and what the film got … maybe a little … wrong.Find our transcript here: https://bit.ly/ScienceVsOppenheimer In this episode, we cover:(00:00) Meet David Saltzberg(04:09) Science and ‘The Big Bang Theory’(07:55) Science and ‘Oppenheimer’(17:22) Talking science with Cillian MurphyThis episode was produced by Joel Werner and Wendy Zukerman with help from Rose Rimler, Nick DelRose and Michelle Dang. Editing by Blythe Terrell. Mix and sound design by Bobby Lord. Music by Bobby Lord, Peter Leonard and So Wylie. Special thanks to Rima Morris and Lindsay Farber.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.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices