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PODCAST

Chemistry For Your Life

Melissa and Jam, Bleav

A podcast that helps you understand the fascinating chemistry hidden in your everyday life. Have you ever wondered why onions make you cry? Or how soap gets your hands clean? What really is margarine, or why do trees change colors in the fall? Melissa is a chemist, and to answer these questions she started a podcast, called Chemistry for your life! In each episode Melissa explains the chemistry behind one of life’s mysteries to Jam, who is definitely not a chemist, but she explains it in a way

science chemistry

All Episodes

00:28:06

Bonus: Fun Fact or Fake Factoid?! A Chemistry and...

Chemistry For Your Life ·

2024/08/08

In this bonus game edition of 'Chemistry For Your Life', host Melissa, co-host Jam, and guest Claire embark on an entertaining journey of debunking or verifying popular 'fun facts' submitted by their listeners. The game, titled 'Fun Fact or Fake Factoid', involves dissecting quirky trivia ranging from the pollination of tomatoes to the weight of all ants versus humans, and the smell of old books. The episode blends humor, friendly competition, and scientific inquiry, including surprising personal

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00:37:50

Ask a Neuroscientist: Why is Adderall addictive to...

Chemistry For Your Life ·

2024/08/01

Question and Response 58In this bonus episode of Chemistry For Your Life, hosts Melissa and Jam are joined by Claire, an expert in pharmacology and neuroscience, to discuss the inner workings of antidepressants and answer additional questions from the previous episode. Claire shares her grad school experiences, highlighting the challenges and unique aspects of her biomedical sciences PhD program. They also delve into the complexities of drug side effects, withdrawal symptoms, and whether Adderall

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01:08:56

How do anti-depressants work? (featuring Claire...

Chemistry For Your Life ·

2024/07/25

#192In this episode of 'Chemistry for Your Life,' hosts Melissa and Jam introduce special guest Claire Caballero, a pharmacology and neuroscience PhD student, to discuss how antidepressants work. Claire explains the role of neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, and GABA in mental health, the mechanisms of various antidepressants such as SSRIs, tricyclic antidepressants, and monoamine oxidase inhibitors, and touches on the effects and side effects of drugs like Wellbutrin. The episode provides

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00:31:35

Vitamin C: Myths, Facts, and Daily Needs

Chemistry For Your Life ·

2024/07/18

#191In this episode of 'Chemistry for Your Life,' hosts Melissa and Jam delve into captivating and practical fun facts about vitamin C. They discuss the recommended daily intake, its role in preventing scurvy, the surprising regulations on food labels, and the common foods that are rich in vitamin C. Furthermore, they explore its use as a preservative and potential benefits in skincare, emphasizing the essential need for a varied diet to maintain optimal health. They also share personal anecdotes

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00:26:58

Why do apples turn brown when we cut them?

Chemistry For Your Life ·

2024/07/11

#035 RebroadcastDo you like apples? Ever wonder why they turn brown when you cut them? This week, Melissa and Jam explore this very question. What's going on in these apples? Where does the brown come from? Is it a good or bad thing? Does it taste different? Is the brown actually apple tears from the pain of being cut? And how do you like them apples? References from this episode Science Experiment: The Brown Apple Project - 4-H Purification and Characterization of Polyphenol Oxidase from

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00:45:44

Should we take Vitamin C when we're sick?

Chemistry For Your Life ·

2024/07/04

#190In this episode of 'Chemistry for Your Life,' hosts Melissa and Jam delve into the role of vitamin C in the immune system and examine whether taking mega doses of the vitamin can help with common colds. Melissa, a seasoned chemist, explains the chemistry behind oxidation, reduction, and free radicals, and how vitamin C's properties make it crucial for immune function. The discussion also covers historical context, including Linus Pauling's theories, and recent scientific findings on vitamin C's

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00:24:45

Ask a Chemist: Why do chemicals smell "chemically?"...

Chemistry For Your Life ·

2024/06/27

Question and Response 57In this bonus episode of 'Chemistry For Your Life,' hosts Melissa Collini and Jam Robinson answer listener-submitted questions about various chemistry topics. They discuss the distinction between 'chemical' and 'natural' smells, plant poisons, and the mechanisms behind face scrubs and soaps. The episode also features insights from a listener working in the beauty industry and addresses the challenges of avoiding fast food in the context of food deserts. Additionally, the

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00:41:17

How does Vitamin C keep our bodies from turning in mush?

Chemistry For Your Life ·

2024/06/20

#189In this episode, Melissa and Jam delve into the crucial role of Vitamin C in the body, focusing on its importance for collagen production. They discuss how collagen, a key structural protein found in tendons, cartilage, bones, teeth, skin, and blood vessels, relies on Vitamin C to form strong, functional structures. The conversation explores the process of how Vitamin C enables enzymes to add essential alcohol groups to collagen strands, allowing them to twist into strong triple helices, which

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00:40:24

Do anti-aging products work?

Chemistry For Your Life ·

2024/06/13

#099 RebroadcastIn this special re-release episode, Melissa and Jam dive deep into the world of Vitamin A (retinol) and its role in anti-aging skincare. They revisit a popular episode that explores whether anti-aging products genuinely work. The hosts break down the scientific functions of the skin, the impact of UV radiation, and the importance of sunscreen. They also discuss how retinoids (vitamin A) can help repair and maintain the skin's structure, backed by peer-reviewed studies. This episode

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00:46:06

What even ARE vitamins? And do we actually need them?

Chemistry For Your Life ·

2024/06/06

#188In this episode, hosts Melissa and Jam dive into the basics of vitamins. They discuss the origins of vitamins, why they are labeled with letters, and the difference between water-soluble and fat-soluble vitamins. The episode also touches on the history of vitamin regulation, the necessity of supplementing vitamins, and the impact of diet on vitamin intake. Finally, they challenge listeners to assess the variety of plant-based foods they consume in a week to promote a healthier diet. 00:00

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00:25:46

Ask a Chemist: Why do you need yogurt to make yogurt?...

Chemistry For Your Life ·

2024/05/30

Question and Response 56In this bonus edition of Chemistry for Your Life, hosts Melissa and Jam engage with their listeners by answering a variety of chemistry-related questions and addressing listener comments and reviews. They read and discuss both positive and constructive reviews, and provide important updates about joining a network for the podcast. They also talk about the introduction of advertisements, the benefits of becoming a patron for an ad-free experience, and some behind-the-scenes

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00:53:06

Why does hair turn grey when we age?

Chemistry For Your Life ·

2024/05/23

#187This episode of 'Chemistry for Your Life' delves into the fascinating world of gray hair, exploring its chemistry and biological processes. Hosts Melissa and Jam share personal anecdotes about encountering gray hair before diving into a detailed explanation of how hair turns gray. They discuss the roles of melanin, melanocytes, and enzymes like tyrosinase in hair pigmentation, and how an imbalance in hydrogen peroxide levels within hair follicles can lead to gray hair. Additionally, the episode

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00:32:01

Why do bad smells smell bad?

Chemistry For Your Life ·

2024/05/16

#030 Rebroadcast Melissa and Jam continue to sniff out the chemistry of smell, focusing this week on bad smells. Why are we so good at smelling bad smells? Why do they haunt us at night? Why are some bad smells so strong and long lasting, while many great smells are subtle and temporary. What’s in a smell? "That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." I think that quote applies here right? References from this episode Aerosol generation by raindrop impact on soil -

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00:46:23

What is old people smell? And is the internet wrong...

Chemistry For Your Life ·

2024/05/09

#186 In this episode of 'Chemistry for Your Life' hosts Melissa and Jam explore the common notion that elderly people have a distinct smell. They delve into the scientific basis behind this observation, discussing the role of volatile organic compounds, fatty acids on our skin, and how these compounds can change with age. The episode features discussions on different studies that have attempted to identify specific compounds associated with 'old people smell' and debates their findings. It also

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00:25:39

Ask a Chemist: Reddit Edition!

Chemistry For Your Life ·

2024/05/02

Bonus Episode: Question and Response 55In this month's bonus episode, Melissa and Jam respond a wide range of chemistry questions from Reddit!Thanks to our monthly supportersCiara Linville J0HNTR0Y Jeannette Napoleon Cullyn R Erica Bee Elizabeth P Sarah Moar Rachel Reina Letila Katrina Barnum-Huckins Suzanne Phillips Nelly Silva Venus Rebholz Lyn Stubblefield Jacob Taber Brian Kimball Emerson Woodhall Kristina Gotfredsen Timothy Parker Steven Boyles Chris

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00:56:24

Is compost dirt??

Chemistry For Your Life ·

2024/04/25

#185 Let's make dirt. Or is it dirt? I don't know, well, can you dig it? We've all heard of compost, maybe you compost, maybe your friend does, maybe they talk about it a lot. But how does it work? Why can we compost some things, but not others? And why can't we just put compostable stuff into the trash can, won't it break down in the landfill? Let's find out!! References from this Episode https://compost.css.cornell.edu/chemistry.html https://compost.css.cornell.edu/microorg.html

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38:50

How do sunglasses protect our eyes?

Chemistry For Your Life ·

2024/04/18

#082 RebroadcastWow sunglasses sure are cool. What's the coolest thing about them? Is it how cool they make us look and feel? Or is it the chemistry inside them? We'll let you decide, but we think you'll be surprised to find out how significant a role chemistry plays in the making of your shades.References from this

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44:01

What are the Northern Lights?

Chemistry For Your Life ·

2024/04/11

#184That's right, the Northern Lights aren't just cool CGI after all. They're real, but what are they? Why do they occur? And how are they chemistry? Let's find out!References from this

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30:34

Ask a Chemist: Can you dissolve a liquid into a...

Chemistry For Your Life ·

2024/04/04

Bonus Episode: Question and Response 54In this month's bonus episode, Melissa and Jam respond to your comments and questions about dissolving, purple shampoo, coal ash, and petroleum waste.Thanks to our monthly supportersCiara Linville J0HNTR0Y Jeannette Napoleon Cullyn R Erica Bee Elizabeth P Sarah Moar Rachel Reina Letila Katrina Barnum-Huckins Suzanne Phillips Nelly Silva Venus Rebholz Lyn Stubblefield Jacob Taber Brian Kimball shadow Emerson

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39:14

Did the FDA eliminate Forever Chemicals? (PFAS Part 5!)

Chemistry For Your Life ·

2024/03/28

2024 Merch Giveaway!Subscribe to our YouTube channel here: youtube.com/@chemforyourlifeTake a screenshot proving you're subscribed.Email the screenshot to chemforyourlife@gmail.com with the subject line "Giveaway Entry"We'll randomly select a winner and they'll get to choose whatever merch item you want! Check out our merch in the meantime at chemforyourlife.com/store- - - - - - - - - - - - -#183We're adding another chapter to the PFAS series! There's new information from the FDA that we've

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