The Pulse

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

The Body Remembers: Exploring the Invisible Wounds Left by Serious Illness

On this episode, we explore the lingering effects of medical crises, both physical and emotional, and what true healing really means. We hear about one doctor’s journey t

You’ve Heard of ‘Dad Bod’ But How About ‘Dad Brain?’

We often talk about the biological and emotional transformation of motherhood, but what happens to men’s brains when they become fathers? On this episode, host Maiken Sc

How Music Shapes Memory, Emotion, and Imagination

Music can transport us to a different time and place — but how does that happen? We explore how music affects our brains — from its ability to tap into our memories and i

When Healthcare Meets the Law: Abortion, Cannabis, and Corporate Medicine

On this episode, we look at the intersection of health, medicine, and the law. We explore how the upcoming rescheduling of marijuana may impact research on the drug, hear