The human body has a number of flaws.
Your brain, for example, is balanced on two stilts about six feet in the air. On a planet with gravity.
My podcast explores the body’s features — and its more questionable design choices.
🎧 Unhealthy Curiosity: https://t.co/5ropFKy18j
So You Think You Want a Six-Pack? This episode explores the gruelling reality of competitive bodybuilding, and how a 19th century circus strongman used a tape measure, Greek statues, and a little maths to define the ‘perfect’ physique (do you measure up?) https://t.co/5ropFKy18j
🎙️How Long Can You Stay Awake?🥱In one experiment, a man who didn't sleep for a week ended up sobbing about an imaginary gorilla. Discover what science has uncovered about the effects of sleep deprivation, and whether the brain recovers afterwards. Listen: https://t.co/5ropFKy18j
🎙️Corn Flakes Will Never Taste the Same 🌽 The inventor of Corn Flakes believed cinnamon was morally suspicious and flavour was a threat to virtue. On John Harvey Kellogg, and why evolution made flavour far too appealing for his crusade to succeed. https://t.co/5ropFKy18j
In 1980, flight attendants began apparently sweating blood on flights between New York and Florida. The explanation was not what anyone expected. Also featuring the only diagnostic dilemma ever solved by a dermatologist ringing a snack-food manufacturer. https://t.co/5ropFKy18j
The Itchy & Scratchy Show🎙️
The biology of itching, including NASA’s emergency Velcro patches, exploding lice in World War I trenches, contagious scratching, amphetamites, mosquito mouth-javelins, and the imaginary insects produced by the brain itself. https://t.co/5ropFKy18j
What Does Your Urine Say About You? Including ancient Egyptian pregnancy tests, beetroot-induced panic, blue urine pranks, and why IKEA once asked women to wee on their catalogue. Listen here: https://t.co/5ropFKy18j
🎙️The Strange Science of Sneezing 🤧
This episode examines the odd biology and even odder rituals surrounding sneezing. Including sunlight sneezes, chocolate sneezes, and why on earth we feel compelled to bless them. Listen here: https://t.co/L9iVQZo8rq🤧
🎙️Doctor, Or Piss Prophet?🎙️ For thousands of years, doctors believed urine revealed the hidden workings of the body. By peering at a patient’s wee, they diagnosed everything from epilepsy to death — sometimes without even meeting the patient. Listen here: https://t.co/5ropFKy18j
🎙️DNA, Twins, and the Serial Killer Who Never Existed🎙️
This episode explores what happens when DNA evidence meets identical twins, and why one of Europe’s most feared serial killers turned out to be much stranger than anyone expected. https://t.co/5ropFKy18j
@JamesHarkin May I make a cheeky request for the details of that 1920s piece advising against kissing freckled girls on the cheek? I love reading these eccentric old medical articles.
Huge congratulations to Rupert Degas who has become one of only 38 authors EVER to be inducted as an @AudioFileMag Golden Voice! He joins the illustrious company of Juliet Stevenson & Adjoa Andoh.
https://t.co/aF1t1lKlFx
Here's some of the epic titles he has narrated for us:
After inventing bursting ammo in 1784, Lieutenant Henry Shrapnel’s career didn’t go to pieces, but did explode (he was promoted to Lieutenant General).