Recreational Science

Getting kidney stones can be painful and debilitating. Exercises like walking, light cycling, and yoga can help pass kidney stones. Are there any other activities that might help too? Driving in the middle of the night while sleep deprived is dangerous. Does drinking coffee, taking a nap, or listening to music help? In this episode, Lu and Tirth celebrate some of the latest Ig Nobel Prize laureate...

Allergies are annoying, but maybe getting rid of them can be fun? Does a 30-minute make-out session help alleviate allergy symptoms? What matters in a battle between two armies? Army size? The strength of individual soldiers? Or does it depend on the battlefield? In this episode, Lu and Tirth take a quiz on classic scientific studies, investigate whether smooches ditches itches, and discuss how Ag...

In this bonus RecSci Quick Bites episode, Lu and Tirth discuss the weight of a pound of lead and a pound of feathers, the swimming ability of fruit fly sperm after a trip to space, the force it takes to pluck nose hair, the amount of bugs that splatter on car windshields, the horsepower of a horse, the antibiotic properties of ear wax, and scrotal asymmetry in ancient sculptures. Timestamps: 0:00...

Why do some people enjoy looking at beautiful art? Why do some people enjoy looking at ugly art? Could it have something to do with how much they enjoy pain? Are goldfish as dumb as we think they are? Can they learn to drive cars to forage for food? In this episode, Lu and Tirth discuss the effects of looking at paintings on physical pain tolerance and how goldfish are perhaps as smart as a 16-yea...

Urinal etiquette is sacred. Why do men always leave an empty urinal as buffer space when peeing in a public restroom? Could it have an effect on how well they pee? Why do people enjoy hiking in the woods so much? Can you get the same enjoyment from touching a piece of wood? In this episode, Lu and Tirth discuss the physiologic reason behind men’s well-established urinal etiquette and how touching...

When there are images of eyes around, people are less likely to steal and more likely to donate money. What about images of other body parts? Moreover, do images of eyes make dogs less likely to steal as well? What measurement on the body is correlated with success at your job and athletic prowess in sports? In this episode, Lu and Tirth take an obscure anatomy terminology quiz, discuss how images...

What’s the best way to get rid of hiccups? Have you tried massaging your butt? Animals are deeply in tune with nature. Are insects more or less likely to mate when a storm is approaching? In this episode, Lu and Tirth discuss the effectiveness of digital rectal massage in treating otherwise incurable hiccups and how moths’ and beetles’ interest in sex changes depending on the atmospheric pressure....

In this bonus RecSci Quick Bites episode, Lu and Tirth discuss an incredible case of oral conception, monkeys’ choice for dental floss, how your ears get bigger as you age, whether moms can identify their baby’s soiled diapers, analyzing poop in log form, boxers versus briefs, and how to settle co-first authorship between friends. Timestamps: 0:00 Intro 1:17 Oral conception study 5:02 Monkey study...

Does the sex of the bird affect how soon they fly away when approached by humans? What about the sex of the human? Coming across a steep hill while out jogging can be intimidating. Does being tired affect how runners perceive the size of hills? In this episode, Lu and Tirth discuss how European birds are sexist towards humans and how just tricking people into believing they have to climb a hill ca...

Crossing the street alone is a difficult and dangerous task for young kids. Is it even more perilous for overweight and out-of-shape children? Kids are notorious picky eaters. When does this start? In the womb? In this episode, Lu and Tirth play another game of Family Feud But Science and discuss practical athleticism in overweight children and whether fetuses are picky "eaters." Timesta...

What do men and women look for in an ideal partner for a one night stand, friends with benefits relationship, and marriage? What’s the best way to find out? An economics experiment, of course. Do hamsters experience jet lag? Do hamsters respond to Viagra? Does Viagra cure jet lag in hamsters? In the season 2 premier, Lu and Tirth catchup on all the life changing events that took place during the o...

Season 2 will premier on May 19, 2026. We're fairly sure. Probably. Who knows? You can find Recreational Science (#RecSciPod) everywhere great podcasts are found! Follow us on social media @RecSciPod! YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@RecSciPod Instagram https://www.instagram.com/recscipod TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@recscipod BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/recscipod.bsky.social Threads ht...

In this bonus RecSci Quick Bites episode, Lu and Tirth discuss a medical use of bacon, the relationship between penis size and sports cars, the effectiveness of rollercoasters in passing kidney stones, the long-term effects of knuckle cracking, surname sharing amongst economist coauthors, the jollity of visiting mall Santas, and the best scientific abstract ever written. Timestamps: 0:00 Intro 0:5...

In this bonus episode of RecSci Quick Bites, Lu and Tirth discuss more funny studies they didn’t get to talk about at length during season one. These include making knives out of poop, performing colonoscopy on yourself, reasons why babies are so small, the happiness of Olympic medalists, the worst time to consume chili, zebra-striped mannequins, and giving it to Reviewer 2. Timestamps: 0:00 Intro...

In this bonus episode, Lu and Tirth do some RecSci Quick Bites or funny studies they didn’t get to discuss at length during season one. These include an unusual finding on colonoscopy, ergonomic toilet seats, Japan’s Phillips curve, the misuse of the word promiscuity, the deal with birds, fruit bat fellatio part 2, and a case of untreated writer’s block. This episode is part of the 4th edition of...

How do you make yourself lift more at the gym? Have you tried swearing? Kids need potty training, but what about animals? Does potty training cows make them healthier and happier? In the season 1 finale, Lu and Tirth do a year-end review and discuss how saying your favorite swear word makes you stronger at the gym and how to potty train cows using an electric trainer. Timestamps: 0:00 Intro 1:45 Y...

Graphene is a fascinating material with the potential to help solve the world’s energy needs. Can you improve graphene with poop? Garlic is a superfood packed with flavor and health benefits. Yes, garlic causes bad breath, but could it actually improve your body odor? In this remunerative episode, Lu and Tirth discuss the electrocatalytic effects of doping graphene with guano and whether eating ga...

How do economics work in a strip club? What are the factors that go into how much a stripper makes in tips? Do strippers earn more tips when they’re ovulating? Men are prone to doing some dumb, poorly planned, and aggressive stuff. Is testosterone to blame? Does testosterone make men serve more hot sauce to other people? In this episode, to celebrate the supposed end of Tirth’s bachelorhood, Lu an...

Humans recognize each other’s faces. Chimps recognize each other’s butts. However, do chimps recognize human butts? Do humans recognize human butts? Do humans recognize chimp butts? All these questions must be asked. Getting surgery, even minor procedures, triggers anxiety. Do clowns help kids relax pre-surgery? Is there room for clowns in pediatric operating rooms? In this episode, Lu and Tirth d...

Dog food quality has risen over the years, and its ingredients are not too different from that of pâté, or liver mousse, a French delicacy. The question, then, must be asked: can people taste the difference between dog food and pâté? Driving under the influence of marijuana is dangerous and illegal, but what about bicycling? Is it safe to ride bikes after cannabis use? Happy 2026! In this episode,...

Kids swallow little toys and other things they’re not supposed to all the time. Is it dangerous to swallow Legos? How long does it take for a swallowed piece of Lego to pass? There’s only one way to find out. Why do some men have beards? Do beards signify virility and manliness? Do bearded men have higher power levels? In this episode, Lu and Tirth discuss the rich history of self-experimentation...

Would you give up your seat to a pregnant woman on the train? Would you be more likely to give up your seat to a pregnant woman if Batman was also on the train? What do octopuses do during their free time? Are they smart, curious, and bored enough to play catch by themselves? In this episode, Lu and Tirth discuss how the presence of Batman makes people more kind to one another (aka the Batman effe...

Are ethicists ethical? One would think that people who spend their careers studying ethics must be more ethical than others. But are people with looser morals more likely to become ethicists, so that they can understand what they lack? Why do some ancient human bones have larger enthesis (sites on the bone where tendons and ligaments attach)? Did the individuals these bones belong to run or exerci...

Mansplaining is when a someone explains in a condescending, oversimplified, and often inaccurate manner, without regard to the fact that the explainee knows more than the explainer, usually done by a man to a woman. Why do men do it? Does mansplaining actually even exist? Brain processing and recognition of visual imagery, such as people and objects, is thought to involve complex neuronal pathways...

Why do we sometimes seek out and enjoy fear? Could it be that fear promotes sexual attraction? Is it a good idea to take your date to a horror movie or on a rollercoaster? Carving pumpkins into Jack-o’-lanterns is dangerous and often leads to hand injuries. What’s the safest pumpkin carving tool to use this Halloween? How do you even determine this? It’s Halloween! In this episode, Lu and Tirth di...