The Lab DoctoRs

We would like to share some important news: The Lab DoctoRs podcast is taking a break. We have deeply cherished creating and sharing content, and truly appreciate your unwavering support. We do not have concrete plans for our return yet, but you can stay connected on socials or via email for updates. Take care, stay curious, and keep learning! TLDR: Thank you for your support! Socials: instagram.c...

Is kombucha just another health fad, or should we all be drinking this beverage that was historically dubbed the "Tea of Immortality"? Listen along as we discuss the origins of kombucha and the science behind how this drink gets its fizziness and flavor (spoiler: it's fermentation!). Moreover, does it truly improve your health, and what should you watch out for? TLDR: Kombucha is oft...

Tired of the constant FOMO? It may be time to ditch that fear embrace JOMO, or the joy of missing out. In this week’s episode, we discuss whether JOMO is linked to certain factors like social media use, loneliness, depression, anxiety, and even personality types. Discover how disconnecting can be the solution, and learn practical ways to cultivate this joy in your day-to-day life.  TLDR : JOMO, or...

Why do some people love exercise whilst others absolutely dread physical activity? A recent study from Johns Hopkins Medicine explored the influence of dopamine, a neurotransmitter, on perceived physical effort and motivation to complete future tasks in Parkinson’s patients. Join us as we tease out how brain chemistry may impact our affinity for exercise and the implications of these findings. TLD...

When someone says “Picture this,” can you actually visualize the scene in your mind, or did you think that phrase was a metaphor? If you answered the latter, you may have aphantasia, a condition characterized by the inability to conjure mental images. This week, we explore everything on the spectrum from aphantasia to hyperphantasia and its impact on certain cognitive functions and personality tra...

Did you know that lazy eye, or amblyopia, affects 5% of the population? Whilst it is more common in children, it may persist to adulthood if untreated learning to wandering eyes, poor depth perception, or even eye strain. In this episode, we will explore the causes of amblyopia as well as up-to-date treatment options and how early intervention can make a difference.  TLDR: Lazy eye is typically tr...

Be honest, how much time do you really spend looking at a screen every day? As technology advances, and especially in a post-pandemic world, screen time is at an all-time high. Join us as we see what the research has to say about how screen time impacts the risk of myopia (or nearsightedness), and tips on how we can protect our eyes TLDR: Experts suggest that screen time increases risk of myopia d...

Deadlines are an inevitable part of most people’s lives, whether you’re in school or at work. But have you ever wondered how these dreaded deadlines impact our stress levels. In this week's episode, we explore a compelling study that delves into the effects of deadlines on researchers' stress levels, specifically their sympathetic load. Tune in to discover the other factors that exacerbate...

Breath-holding spells in infants and young children may be triggered by anger, frustration, pain, or shock. This phenomenon can be scary for caregivers, especially if the child’s face turns blue or becomes pale. This week, we look into why this happens, signs to look out for, how to prevent or treat it, and when to seek medical attention.  TLDR:  Links: https://fb.watch/jUkKkf-HlI/?mibextid=l2pjGR...

Have you ever wondered about the meanings behind phrases like "cold feet" and "heart swells"? This week, we explore the fascinating research conducted by a team of biomedical engineers who mapped bodily reactions to various emotions. Discover the commonalities between emotions like happiness and love, as well as those linked to sadness and depression.  TLDR: Pattern of bodily s...

Artificial Intelligence, particularly large language models like ChatGPT, has become a hot button topic. This week, we hit pause and ask the question, how does AI impact social interactions? Join us as we share the findings from a recent study on how AI influences conversation speed, the use of positive language, cooperation, and affiliation, as well as people's perceptions of AI-aided communi...

Have you wondered why people join cults? In most cases, there are many factors that may make someone susceptible to cults. These inclusde self-factors like emotional vulnerability, high levels of stress, or lack of social support. Furthermore, some cults use manipulation tactics, coercion, or intimidation, all of which can result in serious consequences for the individual and community.  TLDR: Ind...

Can a new "magic pill" be the solution for managing weight? Researchers at UT Health San Antonio investigated the role of magnesium, and specifically a magnesium transporter on mitochondria called Mrs2, on energy and metabolism. Find out how mice without Mrs2 fared against wildtype mice when fed a normal vs Western (read: high fat) diet, and whether magnesium blockers are the key to weig...

Emotional intelligence, or where you fall on the emotional quotient (EQ), involves the ability to recognize and manage one’s own and others’ emotions. This week we talk about the five key components of emotional intelligence and the factors that can affect development including genetics and childhood experiences. Finally, we present the RULER model for developing emotional intelligence. TLDR: Emot...

The premise of HBO's 'The Last of Us' may seem far-fetched, but how implausible is a fungal pandemic? Can fungi make us zombies? Should we be concerned? What role does climate change play in this? Tune in as we answer these questions and give you the lowdown on the latest research on heat-adapted fungi and the current culrpits that we should be wary of. TLDR: Whilst a zombie apocalypse...

Picture this, it’s really late and you have to wake up early tomorrow, but your streaming platform says, “Next episode starts in..” If you’ve succumbed to the autoplay function, you’re not alone! This week we talk about revenge bedtime procrastination: what it is, why it happens and what you can do to prevent it.  TLDR: Revenge bedtime procrastination is caused by the complex interaction of emotio...

Do you ever feel like the weekend is too short? Would you take a pay cut to work one less day? This week we look at the largest, coordinated 4 day work week trial to date, involving 2,900 employees from various industries. Listen along as we go through the types of 4 day work weeks as well as how this model impacted employee wellbeing and company revenue. TLDR: Moving to a 4 day work week with no...

Do you ever get hangry, or is hunger purely biological for you? This week, we explore the link between hunger and emotion. Several groups have investigated different aspects of this phenomenon, from studying the effect of low blood glucose levels on stress and anxiety in rats, to using experience sampling to understand how hunger affects emotional outcomes in individuals’ everyday lives. TLDR : Lo...

Research suggests that women sleep slightly more than men, however, this can vary from person to person. In this episode, we explore the complex relationship between gender and sleep, including hormonal and neurological differences. We also discuss the impact of unpaid labour, varying perceptions, and societal expectations on sleep quality. TLDR : Whilst gender can influence how much sleep we need...

Can exercise be a bad thing? Enter: Exercise dependence (or in severe cases, exercise addiction). As we discuss this week’s study investigating the relationship between exercise and two forms of escapism, self-expansion or self-suppression, think about your exercise behaviour. Is it adaptive or maladaptive, are you promoting motivation or just avoiding your problems? TLDR : Exercise may provide an...

Magnesium supplements are currently experiencing a surge in popularity and sales, but is it worth the hype? This week we discuss the importance of magnesium in our overall healthand where we can get it naturally. Listen along to learn about different forms (including magnesium glycinate), and things to consider before jumping on board the magnesium hype train. TLDR : Magnesium supplements are a co...

Think of the last time you were angry: was your response warranted and proportionate, or was it excessive? This week we talk about maladaptive behaviour, what it is and common signs, and more importantly a study investigating whether internet-delivered emotion regulation treatment reduced several anger indices. Listen along to find out what mindful emotion awareness and cognitive reappraisal entai...

Muscle cramps plague many people all over the world, but what causes it and how do we deal with it? In this week’s episode, we cover the basics of muscle cramps and discuss the research available to date. Stay until the end to get some helpful tips for dealing with cramps, especially in common areas like the thighs and calves. TLDR : The safest and most effective treatment for exercise-associated...

This week we are learning our alphabet, specifically the vitamins A, B, C, D, E, and K (fun fact: there are eight B vitamins including B1, B3, B6, and B12!) Listen along as we discuss the purpose of the various vitamins, what happens if your body doesn’t get enough of it, and good sources to hit your recommended daily intakes. TLDR : Eating a well-balanced diet is important to achieve the recommen...

Welcome back to part 2 of capitalisation celebrations and perceived social support. Listen along for how virtual celebrations stack up against in-person celebrations, whether you should plan a celebration for yourself or someone else, and finally how all these celebrations affect how we treat others. TLDR : Capitalisation celebrations, whether as the planner or the beneficiary, virtual or in perso...