This week, Melissa and Jam dive into the chemistry of something that may not seem like chemistry at first: hair. Curly hair to be specific. What makes hair curl? Also what is hair in the first place? Why can hair be so radically different? Alright curly girls, curly guys, and curly folks, let's find out.

Melissa and Jam dive into the definition and implications of organic foods. They explore what organic means according to USDA standards, dissect common misconceptions about pesticide use, and discuss whether organic produce is actually healthier. This detailed analysis includes Melissa's scientific research process and draws on trusted sources to clarify the nuanced debate around organic foods. Learn about the importance of fruit and vegetable intake, regardless of whether they are organic, and get practical tips for washing produce to minimize pesticide residue.

This episode of 'Chemistry for Your Life' features Melissa and Jam tackling various chemistry questions sourced from the 'Explain Like I'm Five' subreddit. They aim to explain complex chemistry concepts in a manner even a 5-year-old could understand. Questions discussed include why water isn't flammable, how carbonation works, the nature of colors and atoms, cooking processes, caloric changes during cooking, and why drawings on a steamy mirror reappear. The episode emphasizes simplifying complex ideas and making chemistry relatable to everyday life.

Melissa and Jam discuss the multifaceted debate surrounding the use of the widely known weed killer, Roundup, specifically its active ingredient, glyphosate. Prompted by a listener's question, they explore the good, the bad, and the ugly aspects of glyphosate, including its effectiveness in agriculture, potential health risks, and environmental impacts. They delve into scientific studies, regulatory concerns, and personal anecdotes to provide a comprehensive overview of this controversial herbicide.

Melissa and Jam explore the concept of ozone and its impact on air quality in airplanes. Melissa explains the chemical reaction of ozone, why it's significant in organic chemistry, and how it can lead to discomfort in air travel by interacting with the oils on our skin. They also discuss various tips for flying and the potential benefits of noise-canceling headphones and lounge access for frequent flyers. The episode sheds light on why people often feel unwell on planes, highlighting the Pigpen Effect, where leftover oils from previous passengers can react with ozone to create a micro-cloud of pollutants.

We've all heard about it. And most likely you've heard that it's in danger. But what is the ozone layer in the first place? And once we learn that, how about figuring out why it's in danger? Ok let's do it.

Melissa and Jam dive into a series of chemistry-related questions from their audience. From understanding why wintergreen mints spark in the dark to the science of pregnancy tests and heavy water, the episode covers a broad range of fascinating topics. They also discuss the role of moisturizers, dispel myths about chapstick, and explore the curious case of tumor-related hormones. Additionally, the hosts answer questions related to their educational resources and touch on the advantages of lifelong learning. Join them for an engaging discussion that satisfies both everyday curiosity and scientific intrigue.

Melissa and Jam delve into the chemistry behind increased flatulence on airplanes. They explore how changes in air pressure affect gas expansion in the human body, leading to more frequent gas release during flights. The discussion covers the physiology of high altitude flatus expulsion (HAFE), personal anecdotes, and practical advice for managing this phenomenon. Additionally, they touch on how airplane cabin air is regulated and hint at more topics related to airplane air quality in the next episode.

Here's another bonus episode dedicated to teaching a specific chemistry experiment you can do at home. This month, we see what happens when we combine markers, coffee filters, and water. Let's do chemistry!

Melissa and Jam dive into the science of home pregnancy tests. They explore the process in which these tests detect the presence of the hormone HCG, which signals a positive pregnancy result. The episode explains the roles of capillary action, antibodies, and enzymes in the test's operation and discusses the specificity needed to avoid false positives and negatives. The hosts also share personal anecdotes related to pregnancy tests and offer gratitude to their supportive community. This episode offers a fascinating look at how everyday chemistry impacts our lives in important ways.

Melissa and Jam dive into a range of listener-submitted questions exploring everyday chemistry. Topics include the chemistry behind toasting herbs, the effect of gravity on elemental bonds, the purpose and ethics of creating elements with short half-lives, and the effectiveness of cough medicine. They also discuss potential causes of mysterious holes in clothing, the debate on food dyes, and the impact of politics on scientific research funding. The hosts wrap up by addressing various listener questions and sharing some heartwarming and supportive messages from their audience.

Melissa and Jam dive into the fascinating chemistry behind how plants transport water from their roots to their leaves, effectively defying gravity. They explore processes such as capillary action and the cohesion tension mechanism, citing a primary source from Nature journal. Melissa and Jam also touch on key chemistry concepts like water polarity, hydrogen bonding, and osmosis, providing examples from everyday life. Jam shares a personal story about germinating an apple seed with his son, while Melissa discusses her adventures in native plant gardening. The episode concludes with a shoutout to their Patreon supporters and details on upcoming Chemistry for Your Life merch.

Could histamine and antihistamines do more than just affect our allergies? Actually yes. Today we discuss new and recent research in the world of histamine, and believe us, there's some really cool stuff.

Most of us know the feeling. But what are we actually experiencing when we experience allergies? How does being around plants and pollen make us all sniffly? Why does this beautiful season have such a dark side? Let's find out.

Melissa and Jam dive deep into the topic of FDA regulations, particularly focusing on food additives like red food dye. They discuss the complexities of the FDA's approval process, the Delaney Clause, and recent changes in the regulation of red dye number 3, which has been banned in response to cancer risks found in rats. They also delve into how other countries like the UK and Canada are ahead of the U.S. in reevaluating approved substances. The episode includes personal anecdotes and a discussion on the role of public awareness in influencing FDA policies. They wrap up with a lighthearted conversation about sprinkles and favorite dyed foods.

Melissa and Jam delve into a variety of interesting chemistry-related questions sourced from Reddit. They explore why farts stop smelling over time, the non-oily nature of Castile soap, why cookies and candies remain safe to eat at room temperature, and the mechanics behind rice cookers. They also discuss how opening a bottle can freeze its contents and offer reassurance to a chemistry Ph.D. student worried about forgetting basic chemistry knowledge. The episode is filled with insightful explanations, humor, and chemistry support, answering the everyday scientific queries of curious Reddit users.

Melissa and Jam explore why gasoline doesn't freeze in extremely low temperatures while water and other substances do. They delve into the concepts of intermolecular forces, polarity, and how impurities can affect the freezing and melting points of substances. The discussion includes a comparison of the behavior of different substances at varying temperatures, and a light-hearted conversation on favorite liquids that can exist in both liquid and solid states. They also hint at upcoming merchandise related to the topic.

Why is honey sticky but salt isn’t? What’s the difference between things that stick and things that just feel sticky? In this episode, Melissa and Jam dive into the chemistry behind adhesion, cohesion, and the forces that make substances cling to surfaces (and to our fingers). They explore intermolecular forces, viscosity, and why some things are nearly impossible to separate once they’re bonded. Plus, Jam shares a hilarious mix-up of words, and Melissa breaks down why this topic turned out to be trickier than expected!

Melissa and Jam address a listener's question about the FDA's reliability in approving products. They discuss the intersection of chemistry, government, and society, focusing on FDA's role in regulating food and drugs. The episode includes a deep dive into the historical thalidomide tragedy, the improvements in the FDA's approval process since then, and the nuances of trusting FDA-approved products. Through personal insights, they emphasize the complexities and challenges faced by the FDA in ensuring public safety.

Melissa and Jam delve into intriguing chemistry questions posed by their listeners. They explore whether all salts are salty, the chemistry of gunshot residue and fingerprinting, and the reactions between chemicals and sound waves. Special guest Maison, Melissa's husband, joins to discuss sourdough starter cultures and answer sourdough-related queries. The episode concludes with insightful comments from their Chemmunity members and reassurances about their well-being amid late-night recordings.