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.
11episodes
Episodes
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'It's Just Hokum': Ultra-Processed Food Doesn't Cause Behavioral Issues in Kids
1w ago00:11:59Tap 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
4w ago00:50:03Tap 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?
Transcribe →Can Everything Kill My Kids? Combating Viral Pseudoscience with Dr. Jess Steier
Apr 1400:32:02Tap to summarizeDr. Jess Steier, founder of Unbiased Science, joins Ana and Cam on this episode to break down her most effective misinfo-fighting techniques. In a digital ecosystem where experts are often drowned out by health gurus pushing supplements and e-books, Dr. Steier has built a massive audience of curious consumers seeking science-based answers—attracting more than 350,000 followers on Instagram alone. How do you communicate a nuanced scientific perspective on hot-button issues like COVID or nicotine vaping? And how do scientists balance the willingness to change their minds (a core part of the job) with confidently defending vaccines, GMOs, and other proven innovations? Join us on this episode of the show to find out.
Transcribe →From Boom to Bust and Back: The Real Story of Nuclear Power’s Renaissance
Mar 3100:42:07Tap to summarizeNuclear power: it's safe, sustainable and affordable. Yet the public knows very little about the technology—save for a flawed memory of a few misunderstood power plant accidents. This ignorance has been used by critics to stifle the technology, limiting the world's access to reliable, low-carbon power. On this episode of Science Dispatch, we're joined by physicist Edward Friedman, who helps us break down some of the most popular myths and misconceptions about nuclear energy.
Transcribe →Natural = Healthier? Busting Chemophobia Myths with Chemist Dr. Simon Maechling
Mar 2300:32:08Tap to summarizeScience has improved our lives in countless ways. Our food is safer than ever, once-deadly diseases are preventable, and we have sustainable energy like nuclear power. Yet few people appreciate this progress—because our social media feeds are flooded with endless pseudoscience. Here's how one scientist is fighting back.
Transcribe →What MAHA Gets Wrong About America's 'Healthy' Past
Mar 1600:15:52Tap to summarizeRFK, Jr.'s Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement hinges on the assumption that our country was once far healthier than it is today. The problem? It never was. By almost every metric, Americans lead longer, healthier lives now than their ancestors ever did. Let's take a closer look at the evidence.
Transcribe →Some People Can't Enjoy Music. Science Has An Explanation
Mar 200:13:59Tap to summarizeWhy do some people get goosebumps from a song while others hear the exact same notes…and feel nothing? New research reveals “musical anhedonia” — a real brain disconnect where music hits your ears but never reaches the reward center. It’s not picky taste, but a fascinating finding from neurology. Let's take a closer look.
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