Brainstuff

Are the buttons we push to cross streets, close elevator doors, and nudge the office thermostat really connected to anything? Some aren’t! Learn how these placebo buttons (don’t) work. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When you need someone to exam a corpse to determine a cause of death, how do they conduct the autopsy? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Helicopter blades and other fast spinning objects often produce strange effects on camera. Christian explains why. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Processed American cheese is super cheap, consistent, shelf-stable, and orange. Christian explains how this science cheese is made. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is this adorable behavior rooted in sensory necessity or purposeful gesticulation? We explore what may be the cutest research ever. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s very common to see the number 9 at the right end of a price tag. Why is this? Christian explains the psychology of prices and nines in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For millions of moviegoers, the idea of visiting the local theater automatically conjures memories of popcorn. But this wasn’t always the case – so why, out of all snacks, did popcorn become the #1 snack for film? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Science has proven that we can be aware of our dreams while we’re in them. But can we control our dreams? Christian breaks it to you gently. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Just the term "satanism" is controversial. But what's actually going on with this counter-culture religion that values individualism and nonconformity? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Virtually everyone has experienced an itch at one time or another – but what is an itch exactly? What causes it, and why can having one be such a maddening experience? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

They’re convenient, ubiquitous and easy to use. But how do these things work, exactly? What do people mean when they say a microwave cooks food inside out? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dogs communicate by yawning, and it's complex to figure out what they might mean. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You've probably heard that wireless internet (WiFi) is dangerous. But is it true? Christian breaks it down. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Christian explains how bacteria spoils food and what temperature your refrigerator should be to slow their progress. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you want to strangle people for chewing gum? Does the crinkle of plastic fill you with inarticulate, homicidal fury? If so, you may suffer from the little-understood condition called 'misophonia'. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How can a single piece of glass look like a mirror from one side but a window from the other? It's not magic, it's materials technology. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If your teeth are one of the hardest parts of your body, then how could soda damage them? Tune in to learn more. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We've all heard about the supposed relationship between confidence and knowledge - but is it true? Two researchers think they've found the answer. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Your saliva makes things taste great while killing bacteria and helping digestion. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.