Unbiased Science

In this episode, Dr. Jessica Steier and Dr. Sarah Scheinman investigate the widespread myth that sugar causes ADHD and hyperactivity. The scientists trace the origins of this belief, including the influential Feingold diet, and examine scientific studies that challenge the purported link between sugar and hyperactive behavior. They explore sugar's biological effects on the brain, discuss the conce...

In this episode, Dr. Jessica Steier and Dr. Sarah Scheinman discuss anxiety and panic disorders with clinical psychologist Dr. Nicole Lippman-Barile. The scientists explore the definitions of anxiety, its neurobiological underpinnings, and various types of anxiety disorders. They examine common myths surrounding nutrition and mental health, with a focus on the gut-brain connection. They conclude t...

In this episode, Dr. Jess Steier and Dr. Sarah Scheinman explore the fascinating field of epigenetics, which examines how external factors influence gene expression and impact health outcomes. They discuss the interplay between nature and nurture, explaining how epigenetics involves information layered on top of DNA that affects gene operation. The scientists cover key mechanisms like DNA methylat...

This episode of Unbiased Science is proudly sponsored by the Champions for Vaccine Education, Equity and Progress (CVEEP). Drs. Jess Steier and Sarah Scheinman discuss respiratory virus season and the importance of vaccines with guest Dr. Bertha Hidalgo, an epidemiologist. They share their personal experiences with COVID and the flu, highlighting the severity of these illnesses. The conversation c...

In this episode, Dr. Jessica Steier and Dr. Sarah Scheinman are joined by Dr. Julie Bruene, a sports medicine physician, to discuss concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). They cover essential topics including the definition of a concussion, the impact of concussions on the brain, the difference in concussion severity between children and adults, signs and symptoms of concussions, and the...

We are BACK for SEASON FIVE of the pod! In this episode, Dr. Jessica Steier and Dr. Sarah Scheinman discuss Alzheimer's disease and cognitive decline. They cover essential topics including the definition and symptoms of Alzheimer's, the genetic and epigenetic basis of the disease, brain changes associated with Alzheimer's, risk factors such as age, genetics, and lifestyle, modifiable risk factors...

On this episode of the pod, Jess discusses the topic of misinformation in the wellness industry (specifically related to mental health) with special guest, Dr. Jonathan Stea. They delve into the history of wellness, the commercialization of the wellness industry, and the impact of alternative medicine. They also explore the concept of wellness and how it is often pitted against conventional medici...

Measles, once on the brink of eradication in the U.S., is making a dangerous comeback. Serese Marotta, Director of Advocacy and Education at Vaccinate Your Family, joined Jess to share her personal journey, the loss of her son to a vaccine-preventable illness, which shaped her life's commitment to vaccine education. They discuss the challenges of vaccine hesitancy, the concept of herd immunity, an...

On this week's episode of the pod, Jess is joined by Esther Olu (aka "The Melanin Chemist" to talk about the chemistry of our skincare! We discuss the significance of "melanin-friendly" sunscreens and the importance of understanding hyperpigmentation to find effective solutions. We delve into the world of preservatives, exploring whether products can be adequately preserved without them. Our guest...

On this week's episode of the pod, Jess is joined by Dr. David Robert Grimes to discuss various aspects of cancer, including prevalence, survivorship, trends, and prevention. They emphasize the importance of understanding that cancer is a complex disease with various forms and causes. They debunk myths and misinformation surrounding cancer, such as the idea that sugar, sunscreen, or deficiency in...

On this week's episode of the pod, Jess is joined by Dr. Sarah Ballantyne for an unfiltered heart-to-heart discussion. You may have heard Sarah's name mentioned on a previous episode of the pod-- being criticized for her association with the autoimmune protocol (AIP) diet. Yes, Sarah was previously known as the Paleo mom but has shed that title and done a complete 180 to right past wrongs and corr...

Dr. Joe Schwarcz, a world-renowned chemist and science communicator joins the pod to address some commonly asked questions! They kick-off the conversation by discussing the concept of superfoods and the need for a balanced diet, as well as the role of vitamins and supplements. They also touch on the origins of the belief that vitamin C can cure the common cold, tracing it back to Dr. Linus Pauling...

In this episode, Jess is joined by Dr. Joey Munoz to discuss various topics related to nutrition, including the monetization of expertise, the role of supplements, and the marketing tactics used in the supplement industry. They emphasize the importance of evidence-based claims and the need for individualized approaches to supplementation. The conversation covers the importance of dose and type of...

On this week's episode of the pod, Jess is joined by Dr. Matthew Facciani, social scientist, to talk about media literacy, misinformation, and polarization. The two kick things off with a conversation about mis- and disinformation and why some people are more susceptible to it. They then shift gears slightly to chat about motivations behind the intentional spread of false information. Next, they s...

On this week's episode of the pod, Jess is joined by Emmy-winning Executive Producer and Journalist, Mosheh Oinounou to talk about communication. The two discuss the ways they are both committed to disseminating non-partisan information to the general public. They discuss balancing the credibility of information, nuance, and context with the clickbait nature of social media and the ways we consume...

On this week's episode of the pod, Jess chats with Meghann Featherstun about the Netflix docuseries, "You Are What You Eat." The pair kick things off with a summary of the premise of the docuseries (which centers around the purported benefits of a vegan diet) and the study upon which it was based, the "Stanford Twin Study". They dig deeper into the specifics of the study design, study findings, st...

On this week’s episode of the pod, Jess is joined by not one but TWO toxicologists to discuss microplastics. The episode kicks off with a recap of some of the claims being made about microplastics that we’ve seen splashed all over the headlines. The team discusses just how prevalent and ubiquitous microplastics really are and some of the main sources of microplastics. Next, they dive into the evid...

On this week’s episode of the pod, Jess is joined by Dr. Karen Tang (OB/Gyn and science communicator) to debunk common women’s health myths and misconceptions. In honor of Endometriosis month, the two docs start there and discuss what endometriosis is and isn’t, how it’s diagnosed, and treated. Next, they chat about PCOS and discuss the lack of evidence supporting special diets purported to cure i...

On this episode of the pod, Jess sits down with Dr. Idz to debunk misinformation about food and nutrition (yep, it's time for school)! The conversation kicks off with a discussion about differences in approaches to food policy and regulation in the US versus the UK and other countries. Next, the two discuss common myths including that seed oils cause inflammation (they don't) and that processed fo...

This week's episode of Unbiased Science tackles a topic that has garnered a lot of attention due to recent headlines: heavy metals-- more specifically, LEAD! Lead made the news as being detected in baby food pouches and the-very-trendy Stanley cups. So what's real and what's not? Jess interviews Dr. Norb Kaminski, a renowned toxicologist, to dig into the risks. The conversation kicks off with a di...

On this week's episode of the pod, we'll walk through a study together! Jess leads a journal club session, diving deep into a study about the potential link between prenatal Tylenol use and signs of Autism Spectrum Disorder (measured using language assessments). She shares her approach to understanding research and breaks down a specific study, highlighting crucial elements like research design, s...

On this week's episode of the pod, we are joined (again!) by the Docs Who Lift -- Drs. Karl and Spencer Nadolsky -- to discuss the 'Glucose Goddess' and her "Anti-Spike" supplement. We dig into the supplement's ingredients and how effective they really are (or aren't). We discuss blood sugar fluctuations and why short-term changes usually don't impact our health. We explore how our bodies use suga...

On this week's episode of the pod, we are revisiting a topic that we had hoped we could leave in the past: MEASLES. We set the stage by discussing the recent outbreaks of measles cropping up across the US, the UK, and Europe. We talk about the epidemiology of measles, its contagiousness, and the implications of outbreaks for public health. We discuss the highly effective MMR vaccine and the popula...

This week, we are joined by Dr. Ashley Lerman, Board-certified Pediatric Dentist, to chat about, you guessed it: oral hygiene. You have a question about your mouth? We've got you covered. We tackle how often you should go to the dentist, best practices for brushing your teeth (do you really need to shell out for the electric toothbrush?), flossing, and more. We discuss the persistent myths about f...

On this week's episode of the pod, we are joined by Drs. Spencer and Karl Nadolsky (Docs Who Lift) to discuss concerns surrounding Dr. Andrew Huberman, a popular science communicator. We set the stage with a conversation about Huberman's background and his growing platform-- and how his content has evolved over time. We highlight the potential harm of misinformation in the wellness industry and th...