Podcast · 49 episodes
Science Vs
by Spotify Studios · English
There are a lot of fads, blogs and strong opinions, but then there’s SCIENCE. Science Vs is the show from Spotify Studios that finds out what’s fact, what’s not, and what’s somewhere in between. We do the hard work of sifting through all the science so you don't have to and cover everything from 5G and ADHD, to Fluoride and Fasting Diets.
Latest episodes
Stress: The Science of Chilling OutHow stress affects the body, when it’s harmful vs potentially useful, and evidence-based ways to “de-stress,” including vagus nerve stimulation, breathing, and exercise.24 Sep 2026 · 40 min
Could AI Really Kill Us All?Whether AI poses an existential “AI apocalypse” risk, using the Hugging Face incident, the “paperclip maximizer” alignment argument, and nuclear/biological warfare scenarios to assess how credible…17 Sep 2026 · 45 min
Where Have The Insects Gone?? With Dr. Jessica WareInsect decline (“insect apocalypse”), why insects matter, and how humans drive declines; plus invasive insects and cockroach biology.10 Sep 2026 · 46 min
All episodes
Stress: The Science of Chilling OutHow stress affects the body, when it’s harmful vs potentially useful, and evidence-based ways to “de-stress,” including vagus nerve stimulation, breathing, and exercise.24 Sep 2026 · 40 min · 16 chapters
Could AI Really Kill Us All?Whether AI poses an existential “AI apocalypse” risk, using the Hugging Face incident, the “paperclip maximizer” alignment argument, and nuclear/biological warfare scenarios to assess how credible…17 Sep 2026 · 45 min · 19 chapters
Where Have The Insects Gone?? With Dr. Jessica WareInsect decline (“insect apocalypse”), why insects matter, and how humans drive declines; plus invasive insects and cockroach biology.10 Sep 2026 · 46 min · 14 chapters
Protein-Maxxing: Is It Actually Bad For Us?Whether “protein-maxxing” (very high-protein diets and supplements) is harmful, and what research says about protein restriction and longevity.3 Sep 2026 · 31 min · 17 chapters
Sunscreen: Could It Be Toxic??The episode evaluates claims that sunscreen is “toxic,” whether it causes cancer or hormone disruption, and how sunscreen affects vitamin D and different skin tones.27 Aug 2026 · 51 min · 23 chapters
Hank Green: What No One Tells You About the AlgorithmHank Green discusses how recommendation algorithms replaced “contagion” virality with attention-holding, why people misjudge algorithm control, what “hypersalient” content (threat, outrage,…20 Aug 2026 · 53 min · 25 chapters
We Solve the 49ers Viral Conspiracy TheoryA viral claim that a nearby electrical substation (and its EMF radiation) is causing the San Francisco 49ers’ unusually high injury rate, with possible links to oxidative stress and even cancer.13 Aug 2026 · 1 h 1 min · 26 chapters
Weight Loss: Why Won't It Stick?Weight cycling (“yo-yo dieting”)—whether repeated weight loss and regain harms metabolism and long-term health.6 Aug 2026 · 40 min · 11 chapters
Free Will: Does It Exist?Whether “free will” exists or is an illusion, using psychology and neuroscience evidence plus philosophical alternatives.30 Jul 2026 · 32 min · 7 chapters
Narcissists: Are We Surrounded?The science of narcissism—whether society is “overrun,” how narcissism differs from narcissistic personality disorder (NPD), and how to cope with narcissists.2 Jul 2026 · 45 min · 18 chapters
Raw Milk: Secret Superfood??Raw, unpasteurized milk—whether it improves the microbiome, prevents allergies/asthma, and the health risks versus pasteurized milk.25 Jun 2026 · 41 min · 10 chapters
Caffeine: How Much Is Too Much?Caffeine and energy drinks—how they affect the brain/body, sleep, exercise, addiction risk, and why some energy-drink deaths may involve more than caffeine.18 Jun 2026 · 42 min · 15 chapters
The Woman Who Felt No FearCase file on SM, a woman with Urbach-Wiethe disease whose CT scans show calcification of both amygdalae.11 Jun 2026 · 43 min · 12 chapters
Peptides: The Ultimate Body Hack?Whether popular “body-hack” peptides (especially MOTC and BPC-157) actually work, and what risks come with buying/injecting them online.4 Jun 2026 · 38 min · 12 chapters
How Toxic Is the Air You Breathe?How air pollution can trigger and worsen asthma, and how one child’s case led to legal and medical changes; also discusses US EPA deregulation rolling back air-clean protections.28 May 2026 · 41 min · 13 chapters
Ibogaine: A Miracle Psychedelic?Ibogaine, a psychedelic derived from the iboga plant, promoted as a potential treatment for opioid addiction and PTSD/PTSD-like symptoms; the episode weighs anecdotal reports and observational…21 May 2026 · 49 min · 20 chapters
Hantavirus: How Scary Is It??The Science Versus episode explains hantavirus (specifically Andes virus) and assesses how dangerous the reported cruise-ship outbreak is, including how infection happens, what symptoms look like,…13 May 2026 · 32 min · 14 chapters
Tattoos: Are They Toxic?Whether tattoos are “toxic” or increase health risks, focusing on tattoo ink interacting with the immune system and possible cancer links, plus potential benefits like self-esteem and identity.7 May 2026 · 30 min · 11 chapters
Boredom: Is It Good For You?Whether boredom is harmful or beneficial—especially for creativity—and what’s happening in the brain during boredom.30 Apr 2026 · 33 min · 14 chapters
Vaping: Does It Really Cause Cancer?Whether vaping (e-cigarettes) causes cancer, whether it’s as dangerous as smoking, and whether vaping can ever be good for health.23 Apr 2026 · 43 min · 12 chapters
Running: Will It Wreck Your Body?The science of running—injury risk, benefits for longevity/heart health, and the brain chemistry behind “runner’s high,” plus practical guidance to reduce harm.16 Apr 2026 · 31 min · 15 chapters
Artemis: Why Are We Really Going Back to the Moon?Artemis II and the real reasons for returning to the Moon—beyond “lunar gold rush,” toward Mars training and fundamental science.9 Apr 2026 · 34 min · 14 chapters
How To Stop ScrollingHow to stop “doom scrolling,” framed by a recent Meta/Instagram/YouTube negligence verdict and “addictive design” (endless feeds, notifications, learning algorithms).2 Apr 2026 · 37 min · 15 chapters
The Great Mysteries of Sex with Mary RoachScience Versus interviews science writer Mary Roach about her book “Bonk,” covering how researchers have studied sex despite taboo and awkward methods.26 Mar 2026 · 54 min · 15 chapters