Taboo Science

Whips, chains, and... legal pads? In this episode of Taboo Science, we dive deep into the world of BDSM to explore its long history, the science behind subspace, the submissive rich guy stereotype, and why aftercare is essential for everyone (even vanilla folks!). With help from paraphilia researcher Dr. Christian Joyal, the Ask a Sub podcast's Lina Dune, and the Loving BDSM podcast's Kayla Lords...

It's here! The premiere episode of Taboo Science's new miniseries "Philias": an exploration into the science of kinks and fetishes. In this 101 episode, we learn the difference between a kink, fetish, paraphilia, and paraphilic disorder; we'll take a tour of the many, many kinds of kink that exist; and we'll find out what scientists know about where these desires come from—and what they don't know...

Philias is a new miniseries from Taboo Science about the quirky, colorful world of kinks and fetishes. The first episode drops on March 21 — hit the follow/subscribe button in your podcast app of choice to make sure you get it. Citation for the first sentence: https://doi.org/10.1080/00224499.2016.1139034 Connect with the show: Newsletter: https://www.tabooscience.show/newsletter Instagram: https:...

Think necrophilia is just creepy morticians and serial killers? Think again. With the help of psychologist Dr. Victoria Hartmann and neuroscientist Jens Foell, this rerun episode explores the wide spectrum of death and dying fetishes, from Disney movies to consensual roleplay. Dive into Dr. Hartmann’s research on members of online necrophilia communities, and examine how necrophilic acts after mur...

Beauty and the Beast. Twilight. The Shape of Water. What do these stories have in common? Humans and monsters getting down and dirty. This episode explores the surprising psychology behind "monsterf*ckers" — people attracted to creatures like vampires, werewolves, and tentacled beasts. Hear from researcher Ella Gallego about her study on monstrous desire, which reveals how and why women and LGBTQ+...

We've all heard the arguments against animal testing: it's cruel, it's unethical. But you may not know the dirty truth: it doesn't even work most of the time. This week on Taboo Science, we dive deep into the animal testing controversy. We talk to researchers and neuroscientists Dr. Katherine Roe and Dr. Emily Trunnell from PETA’s Science Advancement and Outreach Division about unethical experimen...

We're back between episodes with a quick feed drop! Taboo Science will return next week. How to Do the Pot is a fun weekly show helping you dabble in weed — and feel confident about cannabis for health, well-being, and for fun! Episodes of How to Do the Pot share stories from women who have turned to cannabis for stress, sleep, pain relief, or better sex. If you’ve got questions that range from “w...

The IQ test is supposed to be a measure of human intelligence. But is it? Today, we're joined by UC Berkeley professor Dr. Steven Piantadosi to understand why the diversity of human intellect can't be captured by a single number. We'll explore the history of IQ, from its innocent beginnings in French schools to its dark role in the eugenics movement. We'll understand why IQ testing is fallible, th...

Avoiding climate news? Do thoughts of the apocalypse keep you up at night? Feeling guilty about unsustainable habits? With climate change becoming a stark reality, more and more of us are grappling with anxiety over our planet's environmental crisis. Today, environmental psychologist Thomas Doherty sheds light on the emerging field of climate-conscious therapy — a response to this very real mental...

How much do we really know about depression? In this remastered episode, Gerard Sanacora, director of the Yale Depression Research Program and Co-director of the Yale Interventional Psychiatry Service, reveals that even doctors don't fully get the biological roots behind depression's mix of mental and physical woes. But that doesn't mean we don't have effective treatments — and those treatments ar...

Menstruation is so much more than a useless byproduct of the reproductive cycle — it's a dang biological miracle. With the help of Dr. Kate Clancy, a professor at the University of Illinois and author of Period: The Real Story of Menstruation, this episode dives deep into the misconceptions, stigmas, and hidden truths about menstruation. Uncover the true purpose of periods, debunk the idea of a 'n...

It's both a method of empowerment and a tool of control — but it sure is pretty! Today's episode delves into how makeup reflects and perpetuates society's conflicting views on femininity, with the help of historian Ilise S. Carter, author of The Red Menace: How Lipstick Changed the Face of American History. From its historical roots, like ancient Egyptian eyeliner and the opulent courtiers of Loui...

Heterosexuality isn't what you think it is. In this episode, historian Hanne Blank Boyd flips the script on how we view sexual orientation, showing how the concept of "heterosexuality" has only existed for around 150 years. Hanne traces how modern capitalism led "heterosexual" to emerge as a term for normal, moral sexuality, allowing the middle class to prove their respectability. Even now, assumi...

Get ready to rethink everything you know about race. With the help of anthropologist Agustín Fuentes , this episode debunks the idea that race exists within our biology. We're unraveling racist stereotypes, explaining why race is nothing like dog breeds, delving into the devastating effects of race in health and medicine, and explaining why your 23andMe results aren't what you think. This episode...

What do the Pioneer 10 plaque and communal bathhouses of Renaissance Europe have in common? Today we're stripping down the complicated concept of nudity with Dr. Ruth Barcan , honorary associate professor at the University of Sydney in Australia. We'll explore the meanings, reactions, and laws surrounding nudity, from how art influenced our perception of nudity to the complex legalities of female...

Taboo Science will continue next week with a regularly scheduled episode, but I wanted to give a nod to Pride Month by sharing a podcast episode I love from the show Based on a True Story . Subscribe to Based on a True Story here: https://www.basedonatruestorypodcast.com/follow/ Connect with the show: Join the Patreon: https://patreon.com/tabooscience Leave me a voice memo:  https://podline.fm/tab...

Did you know lactation is older than the dinosaurs? Latch onto the mysteries of breastfeeding with help from lactation scientist Bridget McGann and Mamava co-founder Sascha Mayer in today's episode, which delves into the incredible components of breastmilk, the way that feeding itself influences a baby's development, the debate between breastfeeding versus formula feeding, and why workplace suppor...

Grab your squatty potty and put your squeamishness aside: we're going elbow-deep into human waste with science journalist and author Bryn Nelson . This episode digs into the microbiome, probiotics, and fecal transplants. It uncovers the surprising benefits and uses of human waste, from healing autoimmune conditions to fertilizing crops, and even the ancient practice of collecting and selling 'nigh...

This week, we challenge the common perceptions of attraction and explore the complexities of asexuality. Sociology PhD candidate Canton Weiner shares invaluable insights from his research while Sarah Costello, co-host of the podcast "Sounds Fake, But Okay," opens up about her personal experience being aro-ace, or aromantic asexual. We examine the split attraction model and shed light on various ty...

Today we're diving into the world of addiction and drug use with Judy Grisel , a behavioral neuroscientist who's been down the road of addiction herself. We'll cover why humans are so drawn to altering our consciousness with chemicals, how addictive drugs affect our brains, and some common misconceptions about drug use. Plus, we'll explore the factors that contribute to addiction, like age, geneti...

The long wait is nearly over — Season 3 drops on 4/20.Taboo Science is a podcast that answers the questions you’re not allowed to ask. It’s hosted by Ashley Hamer, a science writer and podcaster. Every episode dives into a different societal taboo to understand the science that makes it tick, the reasons we don’t talk about it, and the impact that has on society at large. Why don’t we eat people?...

Why do we have such big butts? Why does society admire women's butts more than men's? And what does race have to do with all this?   Featuring Dr. Jeanne Bovet, senior lecturer at Northumbria University in Newcastle. https://www.jeannebovet.com/   See citations and a transcript for this episode: https://www.tabooscience.show/s2e12-butts/   Subscribe to the newsletter: https://www.tabooscience.show...

It affects 1 billion people worldwide, so why is disability considered a niche issue? How can we make life easier for people with disabilities? And what does any of this have to do with As Seen on TV products? Featuring Emily Ladau, disability rights activist and author of the new book, “Demystifying Disability: What to Know, What to Say, and How to Be an Ally.” Pick it up here: https://amzn.to/3h...

What is depression, really? Do antidepressants actually work? And how can ketamine and psilocybin possibly help?   Featuring Gerard Sanacora, director of the Yale Depression Research Program and Co-director of the Yale Interventional Psychiatry Service.   See citations for this episode: https://www.tabooscience.show/s2e10-depression/   Subscribe to the BRAND NEW newsletter! https://www.tabooscienc...

Why do we remove our body hair? Why do humans have less hair than our primate cousins? And why was Darwin obsessed with beards?   Featuring Rebecca Herzig, author of "Plucked: A History of Hair Removal." Pick it up here: https://amzn.to/3Csj819   See citations for this episode: https://www.tabooscience.show/s2e9-body-hair/   Subscribe to the BRAND NEW newsletter! https://www.tabooscience.show/news...