Podcast
ACSH Science Dispatch
Hosted by ACSH · EN
Health scares seem to lurk around every corner these days. From "toxic" pesticides to "ultra-processed" foods and BPA, the list of things that can supposedly kill us is endless. How do you spot genuine threats amid all the clickbait? Join the American Council on Science and Health each week as we separate science fact from science fiction.
16episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Lying With Numbers—How Deceptive Data Bolsters Health Scares
4d ago00:19:21Tap to summarizeNumbers seem very scientific. They give any argument a veneer of credibility, even a dishonest one that misleads the public. Let's examine some common methods used to take advantage of the public's innumeracy and promote health scares online.
Transcribe →"Ultra-Processed," "Synthetic": Nonsense Words That Means Nothing
2w ago00:13:45Tap to summarizeThe body responds to molecules and nutrients—not origin stories or factory steps. Whether a chemical is lab-made or a food industrially processed, biology cares about composition, calories, sugar and fiber, not the production method. Natural isn’t inherently safer, and processing isn’t inherently harmful. These are unpopular facts, but they are facts nonetheless. Join Dr. Chuck Dinerstein and Cam English on the Science Dispatch podcast as they discuss:The Terms “Ultra-Processed” and “Synthetic” Are Flawed for the Same ReasonThe terms “synthetic” and “ultra-processed” are widely (and opportunistically) used as warning labels and marketing strategies. Although they sound scientific, both rely on the same flawed logic: judging substances by how they are made rather than what they actually are.The body responds to molecules and nutrients, not to whether they came from a factory, a farm, a kitchen, or a pinball arcade.
Transcribe →Moms Podcast Takeover: Social Media 'Anxiety Detox' with Dr. Jess Steier
3w ago00:35:52Tap to summarizeOn the latest edition of the Science Dispatch Moms Takeover, ACSH’s Ana Dolaskie and Desiree English team up with Dr. Jess Steier (Unbiased Science) for a no-nonsense social media anxiety detox. They tackle honey and infant botulism risks, viral pesticide panics, and celebrate evidence-based formula feeding. Moms, are you tired of the fearmongering polluting your timeline? Join us for science-backed confidence in parenting.
Transcribe →Moms Podcast Takeover: A Pro-Science Parents Guide to Instagram, Pt. 1
3w ago00:38:27Tap to summarizeSocial media can feel like a minefield for parents. Every scroll brings a fresh wave of chemical scares, "toxic" warnings or the latest must-try health fad—if you want to be a "good mom," that is. This week on the Science Dispatch podcast, two ACSH moms step into the host seats: video reporter Ana Dolaskie and science teacher Desiree English. They push back against the fearmongering and offer evidence-based guidance to help parents navigate Instagram (and the rest of the internet) with confidence instead of anxiety.
Transcribe →Regulate Sugar Like Drugs? A Strange Idea With Mainstream Support
4w ago00:18:48Tap to summarizeShould we regulate sugar like opioids? It's a proposal with widespread appeal (at least in the academy). But when considered practically, the idea runs headlong into the complicated realities of food production, federal bureaucracy and individual behavior.
Transcribe →'It's Just Hokum': Ultra-Processed Food Doesn't Cause Behavioral Issues in Kids
Jun 900:11:59Tap to summarizeSo-called ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are blamed for a litany of health problems—often based on shaky science. But recent headlines pushed the spurious correlations even further, alleging that some popular snack foods might be linked to behavioral problems in children. The problem? The study that generated all the headlines said no such thing.
Transcribe →Pesticides Killing Bees? Busting Chemical Myths With Dr. Liza Lockwood
May 2000:50:03Tap to summarizeSynthetic pesticides: they're the ultimate bogeyman in the mind of today's chemophobic health "influencer." As popular as this view is, it's badly misguided. The truth is that pesticides have dramatically reduced farming's environmental footprint—helping protect beneficial insects as food production grows. As we celebrate World Bee Day, medical toxicologist Dr. Liza Lockwood joins us to discuss the lesser-known environmental and public health benefits of modern chemistry. Did you know, for instance, that the judicious use of pesticides helps control disease-causing weeds and microbes that used to kill people by the thousands? Let's take a closer look at one of science's most controversial topics on this episode of the Science Dispatch podcast.
Transcribe →Fight Drug Abuse With Safe Injection Sites? Dr. Lynn Webster
May 1200:45:37Tap to summarizeDrug prohibition hasn't worked. Illicit opioids continue to kill thousands of Americans each year, and the problem grows worse as the illegal drug supply becomes increasingly toxic. With such a lackluster track record, is it time to consider a more radical solution to the overdose epidemic? ACSH science advisor and addiction medicine specialist Dr. Lynn Webster joins us to discuss safe injection sites—medically supervised facilities where addicts can use drugs—as a tool to reduce overdoses. Is this a sensible public health intervention, or a dangerous policy that enables destructive behavior?
Transcribe →Religion and Science—Friends, Enemies or Total Strangers?
May 600:25:54Tap to summarizeYou can be religious or you can be scientific—you certainly can’t be both. That’s the framing many people bring to discussions where faith and evidence intersect. But is it really a fair way to approach the issue? No, say Dr. Chuck Dinerstein and Cam English on this episode of The Science Dispatch. Historically, science and religion were close allies. Letting them collaborate again could offer better insight into some of our most pressing health and scientific questions.
Transcribe →Fighting Schizophrenia—With Bacon? How Ketosis May (Or May Not) Help Treat Psychosis
Apr 2700:14:06Tap to summarizeKetogenic diets can help some obese people lose a significant amount of weight when their health is at risk. But in recent months, social media influencers have also credited these very low-carb diets with a far more remarkable effect: treating, or even curing, schizophrenia. Is there any truth to this claim, or is it just another social media fad racing ahead of the evidence?
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