ACSH Science Dispatch

Numbers seem very scientific. They give any argument a veneer of credibility, even a dishonest one that misleads the public. Let's examine some common methods used to take advantage of the public's innumeracy and promote health scares online.

The body responds to molecules and nutrients—not origin stories or factory steps. Whether a chemical is lab-made or a food industrially processed, biology cares about composition, calories, sugar and fiber, not the production method. Natural isn’t inherently safer, and processing isn’t inherently harmful. These are unpopular facts, but they are facts nonetheless. Join Dr. Chuck Dinerstein and Cam...

On the latest edition of the Science Dispatch Moms Takeover, ACSH’s Ana Dolaskie and Desiree English team up with Dr. Jess Steier (Unbiased Science) for a no-nonsense social media anxiety detox. They tackle honey and infant botulism risks, viral pesticide panics, and celebrate evidence-based formula feeding. Moms, are you tired of the fearmongering polluting your timeline? Join us for science-back...

Social media can feel like a minefield for parents. Every scroll brings a fresh wave of chemical scares, "toxic" warnings or the latest must-try health fad—if you want to be a "good mom," that is. This week on the Science Dispatch podcast, two ACSH moms step into the host seats: video reporter Ana Dolaskie and science teacher Desiree English. They push back against the fearmong...

Should we regulate sugar like opioids? It's a proposal with widespread appeal (at least in the academy). But when considered practically, the idea runs headlong into the complicated realities of food production, federal bureaucracy and individual behavior.

So-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.

Synthetic 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 Lockw...

Drug 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 injecti...

You 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 bet...

Ketogenic 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?

Dr. 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....

Nuclear 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...

Science 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.

RFK, 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.

Why 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.

On this episode of Science Dispatch, we take a look at the radiation oncology experience from the perspective of a patient (and radiation expert) who endured 28 mornings of this common but misunderstood therapy. What does the science say about efficacy and side effects? Perhaps more importantly, what can other patients expect from this experience?

Recent research suggests that regular omega-3 intake from supplements is linked to a modest reduction in cardiovascular events—but the benefits are smaller than many headlines suggest, and not everyone experiences them. Who actually gains protection? Let's take a look.

On this episode of Science Dispatch, we dive into the latest Kīlauea eruption and the alarming chemistry behind the air people are breathing. The volcano is releasing massive amounts of sulfur dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, hydrochloric acid, and other nasty gases—creating vog (volcanic smog) that irritates lungs, eyes, and skin, especially for sensitive groups. Here's what you need to know.

Non-sugar sweeteners are neither miracle cures for obesity nor hidden health threats. Recent evidence shows they can modestly support weight loss, help reduce sugar intake and fit safely into a balanced diet. The "uncomfortable truth" is clear: these sweeteners are context-dependent tools, not standalone solutions. Over-relying on them or ignoring overall eating patterns won't delive...

In a strange turn of events, The Lancet—one of the world's oldest medical journals—has taken a line you might expect to hear from Robert F. Kennedy Jr., declaring "ultra-processed" food a driver of chronic disease. Is there any evidence behind this association, or are we just dealing with academic snobs who can't appreciate the benefits of convenient, abundant food?

With highly potent and (sometimes) legal marijuana widely available across the US, emergency rooms are reporting an increase in cannabis hyperemesis syndrome (CHS), an unpleasant condition characterized by screaming and vomiting—"scromiting" in the vernacular. The condition is yet more evidence that marijuana’s reputation as a low-risk drug is undeserved.

What does science tell us about gluten sensitivity? Depending on whom you ask, it's either a heal scare advanced by social media grifters or a legitimate medical condition that afflicts many people. Let's take a closer look to separate fact from myth.

The story everyone knows about the opioid epidemic goes like this: Big, bad Purdue Pharma aggressively marketed its potent painkiller OxyContin, hooking legions of unsuspecting Americans on the pharmaceutical equivalent of heroin. It's a compelling tale—and it's wrong in almost of its particulars. Let's take a closer look.

In the high-stakes arena of cancer drug development, SU212 was engineered as a safer twist on podophyllotoxin—a toxic killer designed to halt rogue cell division. Yet in a twist worthy of scientific serendipity, it veered off course, bypassing its intended target entirely and stumbling upon a superior mark. SU212 starves aggressive cancers, slashing growth with scant harm to healthy cells. This of...

Following the emergence of COVID-19, "follow the science" became a stark ideological divide that pitted one American against another. This partisan framing weaponized the scientific method instead of letting it solve a critical public-health crisis. Is it time to abandon this unhelpful slogan and rethink our broken understanding of science?