Instant Genius

The placebo effect is a seemingly wonderful experience, healing people with no apparent cure - but how does it really work? We spoke to Jeremy Howick, an epidemiologist and author of the new book The Power of Placebos to find out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this podcast, the health psychologist discusses how we cope with tough times, the interplay between genetics and experiences in shaping coping mechanisms, the effects of stress on mental and physical health, managing anticipatory anxiety through acceptance, the importance of gentle recovery, and tips for coping with challenges and recovery

It's easy to try to ignore feelings of boredom, but it can actually be trying to tell you something. We spoke to James Danckert, a professor of cognitive neuroscience to find out more about this strange feeling. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

From birdsong to wolf howls, from dolphins’ clicks and whistles to gibbons’ whoops and wows, the natural world is filled with a myriad of animal vocalisations that are as varied as they are numerous. But what is their purpose? How did they evolve? And will we ever be able to understand them? In this episode we catch up with Dr Arik Kershenbaum, a zoologist based at the University of Cambridge and author of the new book Why Animals Talk. He tells us why some animals are chattier than others, how wolves have regional accents and how dolphins give themselves names. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Christopher Hendon, a computational materials chemist and coffee expert from the University of Oregon, shares tips on making great coffee at home, the significance of a good grinder in the coffee brewing process, the debate over coffee's effects on cortisol levels and health, the unique process of coffee and tea brewing, and the potential future of coffee and the need for sustainable brewing.

Laughter is a fundamental part of our lives, but why do we do it? We spoke to Sophie Scott, a professor of cognitive neuroscience at the University College London to better understand why and how we laugh. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Whether it’s from reading Beatrix Potter’s Mrs Tiggy-Winkle or from encounters in our own gardens, many of us have a special place in our hearts for hedgehogs. But sadly, the charismatic mammals are having a bit of a hard time of late, with their numbers declining across the globe. So, what can we do to help them?In this episode we catch up with Dr Sophie Lund Rasmussen, a research associate at WildCRU, at the University of Oxford, or as she is otherwise known Dr Hedgehog.She tells us about the current state of hedgehog conservation, what she’s learnt from many years of studying them and how we can make our gardens more hedgehog friendly.To find more about her work studying hedgehogs, follow her on Facebook. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chances are, many of us will have tried to drop a few pounds at some point in our lives. And it’s likely that to do so we will have cut down on the amount of calories we are consuming, exercised a bit more and relied on willpower to stop ourselves reaching for the biscuit tin, bag of crisps or can of fizzy drink. But is there a more effective method?In this episode we catch up with Dr Andrew Jenkinson, a bariatric surgeon based at University College London Hospital and author of the book How to Eat Well (And Still Lose Weight).He tells us how our brains are hard-wired to crave salty, fatty, sugary foods and how gaining a better understanding of our biology can help us to turn our unhealthy eating patterns into healthy ones, for good. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The podcast explores the journey of avocados from exotic curiosity to trendy superfood, addressing their impact on diets, the food industry, and the environment. It discusses the origins and spread of avocados, their history and rebranding in Southern California, their water requirements and environmental impact, and suggests sustainable alternatives to purchasing avocados.

Discover surprising insights on pacing yourself in an exhausting world, including the impact of breakfast choices, warning signs of exhaustion, and top tips for protecting your energy. Explore the reasons behind fatigue in various conditions, the risks of pushing through exhaustion, the relationship between physical energy and sleep/diet, and prioritizing calm for emotional rest.