The Pulse

Adult ADHD: Why You Know What to Do But Can’t Do It

On this episode, we explore ADHD in adults — how to spot it, how to treat it, and how to function with it. We talk with a leading psychologist about what’s behind ADHD’s

The Fight to Save Rural Hospitals — and Access to Healthcare

It’s a story that’s unfolding across America, from Texas to Tennessee, Kansas to the Rust Belt — rural hospitals are struggling or closing, leaving residents, towns, and

The Strange Science of Color — And Our Quest to Understand It

On this encore episode, we explore the world of color — from how we perceive it, to our efforts to describe and differentiate its many shades. We talk with a lexicographe

How the Cereal Industry Won Breakfast

Cereal was born as a health food — but quickly, sweet, crunchy flavor, bright colors, and fun shapes became more important than the nutritional value. That didn’t stop ce

The Science of Eating: What We Get Wrong About Diet and Nutrition

We all know we’re supposed to eat healthy — but what exactly does that mean? On this episode, what’s on your plate, why it matters, and how to make sense of conflicting n

Under Pressure: How Weather Affects our Health

As summer winds down, some people are celebrating the approach of fall, while others are dreading the shorter, colder days. We know that weather can affect our mood — may

'I Could Have Been Lindsay Clancy’

A judge declared a mistrial in the murder trial of Lindsay Clancy after jurors said they were deadlocked over whether she should be held criminally responsible for strang

The Search for Life on Mars: From Mars Mania to NASA’s Rovers

On this episode, a look back at our search for life on Mars. We hear about the Viking mission to Mars — the first to land a craft on the Red Planet — and the controversy

Jon Ronson, 101 Princesses, and a World of Unraveling Men

Journalist Jon Ronson's new book starts with a series of panicked text messages from his son — who had been lured to a massive, gothic-looking castle in Connecticut. A fe

The Search for Wilderness

Sometimes, modern life can feel like an endless cacophony of distractions. We spend our days being inundated with noise and traffic, news and emails, obligations and hect

What's Really Going On Inside Animals' Heads?

Do animals feel love, anger, or empathy? Researchers have long dismissed such ideas as anthropomorphism, arguing that attributing human emotions to animals was unscientif

Quitting Antidepressants: From Withdrawal to Tapering One Step at a Time

Erica Gerard tried to find the right antidepressant for over two decades, one where the benefits outweighed the side effects. Finally, she decided to get off her medicati

The Science of Imagination: Transforming How We Think, Feel, and Live

In some ways, our imagination is like an all-access pass. It can transport us to a different place, it allows us to picture a beautiful beach, or a lush flower garden. We

Think Inside the Box: How Limits Fuel Creativity

We tend to think that creativity flourishes in the absence of limits, when we have all of the freedom to innovate and dream big. But what if the opposite is true? What if

The Future of Pain Relief: Managing Chronic Pain, Laughing Gas, and Safer Opioids

Millions of people in the U.S. have chronic pain that’s unresponsive to medical interventions. But there are new and comprehensive ways of treating pain. We explore how e

Jet Lag, Cruise Outbreaks, and Vacation Constipation: How to Deal with Travel Health Woes

Vacations are a time to experience new things, and restore our minds and bodies — but sometimes the opposite happens. On this episode, when vacations wreck your health —

How Reliable Is Forensic Science? The Truth About Criminal Profiling and Investigations

Investigators have long relied on science to help solve crimes, from fingerprint and blood splatter analysis to the psychology of criminal minds. But not every investigat

Chasing Wildlife: From the Golden Toad to Giant Elephants

When twin brothers Trevor and Kyle Ritland were children, their father — a biologist — would tell them stories about a mythical creature that lived high in the misty moun

From Buzz to Burnout: How Alcohol Affects the Brain and Body

At the best of times, alcohol makes us feel great — relaxed and gregarious, warm and fuzzy, happy and confident. But at the worst of times, it can morph into a serious pr

How Science and Ingenuity Built Early America

Two hundred and fifty years ago, Philadelphia was not just the center of political revolution, but a hub of scientific discovery. For America’s founders, science was more