Humans

Asthma is a disease that can make it hard to breathe. And it’s common! One in twelve people in the United States have it, including host Molly Bloom. But what is asthma? And why do some people have it, but not others?

Butterflies in your stomach, blushing, that giddy feeling… why do crushes do these things to us and what can it teach us?

Salt is made up of tiny crystals! Under a microscope, some salt crystals look like pyramids, staircases, or even snowflakes. But why do these salty little crystals make food so tasty?

You may have heard of Down syndrome, but what is it exactly? In this episode, we'll break down the science of chromosomes and how having an extra one leads to this fairly common condition. Plus, we'll learn some tips for making friends with someone who might seem different than you. We'll also swing by a farm staffed by ranchers with Down syndrome.

Listeners send us LOTS of questions. Like hundreds a month! We read every single one — and we love all of them! Every now and then, we get a special kind of question that starts with “Is it true that…?” These questions are special because they’re skeptical. They’re designed to seek out the truth.

Usually, bonus episodes like this are exclusively for Smarty Pass subscribers but this month we’re sharing them with all our listeners. If you like this bonus episode and want to hear fun games every month, plus ad-free episodes, sign up for Smarty Pass.

Every sneeze is like a snowflake. Unique, beautiful, wet! Sneezes help our noses get rid of stuff that’s not supposed to be there, like dust, dirt, or pollen. But how fast do sneezes travel? And how exactly does our body make them?

People who are blind or have low vision use different tools to navigate the world. One of the most common is called a White Cane. White Canes are long, thin, and lightweight with a handle on one end and a special tip on the other.

Looking for an escape? Join Molly and co-host Julian as they explore Antarctica! They’ll learn about Antarctica’s massive ice sheets and active volcanoes — plus they’ll meet the largest land animal on the continent!

Laughter is like a language and humans are really good at understanding it.

Hypnosis. You’ve seen it in movies, cartoons, and maybe even on stage! But is it real? And if so, what is it?

You’ve probably heard it’s important to brush your teeth to prevent cavities. But what is a cavity? And how do dentists fix them?

Dig in with Molly and co-host Audrey as they learn about our extinct ancient relatives, the Neanderthals!

The Brains On crew is hard at work on our next batch of episodes, and we'll be back in your feed on January 16, with an electrifying episode about lightning.

Join Molly Bloom and co-host Ishalo as they learn about the ingredients we need to grow – and why sometimes the growing seems slow!

Explore the dark with Molly and co-host Sasha!

What is ADHD and what is happening in the brain of someone with ADHD?

Smash Boom Best producers Aron Woldeslassie and Anna Weggel are really hungry, but neither of them knows what to eat! To help with the hunger pangs, they play a round of Tasty Mystery Sound. Much like the iconic Brains On! Mystery Sound game, Tasty Mystery Sound has players taking noisy bites of real food before asking the other to guess what they’re eating. Grab your Smarty Pass to hear what Anna and Aron are chowing down on!