Chemistry For Your Life
Episodes
How do scissors curl ribbon?
25 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
#228 In this festive episode, Melissa and Jam delve into the fascinating science behind why ribbons curl when pressed against a blade. The discussion ...
What makes firecrackers go pop?
18 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
#227 The Chemistry Behind Firecrackers and Christmas Crackers Melissa and Jam delve into the chemistry behind firecrackers and Christmas crackers. The...
Ask a Chemist: Should I be worried about Cast Iron? (and other questions)
11 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ask a Chemist #73 Melissa and Jam tackle a range of listener questions covering a wide array of chemistry-related topics. They discuss the properties ...
How do X-Rays reveal what's hidden inside us?
04 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
#226 Melissa and Jam delve into the intriguing world of X-rays. They start with relatable stories from the dentist's office and transition into a deep...
What's up with aluminum foil?
27 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
#018 Rebroadcast This week Melissa and Jam explore the chemistry of aluminum foil. Why doesn’t it feel hot when we take it out of the oven? How does...
Reddit Chemistry: Mishaps, Mentorship, and More
20 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
#225 Melissa and Jam take a break from traditional chemistry topics to delve into chemistry-related stories from Reddit. They discuss a funny sunscree...
Ask a Chemist: Why are skunks so potent? (and other questions)
13 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Question and Response 72 Melissa and Jam tackle a variety of listener questions about chemistry-related topics. They discuss the differences between c...
How do pimple patches save our faces?
06 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Melissa and Jam delve into the chemistry behind popular hydrocolloid bandages and pimple patches. They discuss the composition and functionality of th...
How does Benzoyl Peroxide fight acne?
30 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
#127 Rebroadcast If you've ever had acne, you've probably tried some creams or washes with "benzoyl peroxide" somewhere on the label. How is...
What sparks the mystery of static electricity?
23 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Melissa and Jam delve into the intricate phenomenon of static electricity. They discuss their own experiences with static shocks and static cling, par...
What to Use and Avoid in the Kitchen: 3 Tips From a Chemist
16 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Melissa and Jam discuss the top three kitchen products and habits Melissa avoids and loves based on her expertise in chemistry. She advises against us...
How does Poo-Pourri prevent unpleasant smells?
09 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Melissa and Jam discuss the chemistry behind Poopourri Toilet Spray. Melissa explains how the spray works by forming a non-polar oil layer on top of w...
How do odor absorbers work?
02 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
#072 Rebroadcast You know what they say, everyone's experienced odors, and 99.99% of all odors smell. We have room sprays, candles, air fresheners, et...
Are your lips being tricked by chapstick?
25 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Melissa and Jam delve into the science behind lip balm, investigating whether products like Chapstick and Burt's Bees are beneficial or if they could ...
Ask a Chemist: Why is glass clear? (and other questions)
18 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Melissa and Jam tackle a range of fascinating chemistry questions from their audience in this episode of 'Chemistry For Your Life'. They discuss why g...
Does lotion really hydrate dry skin?
11 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Melissa and Jam discuss the science behind moisturizers and how they help with dry skin. The conversation covers the role of occlusives like petroleum...
What are shooting stars?
04 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Melissa and Jam explore the science behind shooting stars, unraveling the chemistry that turns space rocks into brilliant streaks of light in our nigh...
How do glowsticks glow?
28 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
#067 Rebroadcast (Originally Aired October 2020) Guess what time of year it is. It's spooky time! One thing we see a lot of during this time of year, ...
What makes fireflies glow?
21 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Melissa and Jam delve into the fascinating chemistry behind fireflies' bioluminescence. They explore how fireflies produce light through a complex ser...
Ask a Chemist: What would be worse, drinking bleach or gasoline? (and other questions)
14 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Melissa and Jam dive into a variety of listener-submitted questions. They discuss the science behind fluffy shave ice versus mainland shaved ice, the ...
Why is sweat salty?
07 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Melissa and Jam explore the science behind why sweat is salty. They discuss personal experiences with sweating, the types of sweat glands, and the che...
How does sweat cool us down?
31 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
#050 This week, Melissa and Jam once again look under the armpits of society, this time to explore sweat. Is it cool? Well does it keep us cool? How? ...
How does *color* film photography work??
24 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this continuation of our two-part series, Melissa and Jam dive into the intriguing chemistry behind color film and Polaroid photography. The episod...
Ask a Chemist: Is Baking Soda and Vinegar a Cleaning Myth? (And other questions)
17 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Melissa and Jam tackle a variety of questions and corrections from their listeners. They dive into topics such as the effectiveness of baking soda and...
What is the chemistry of film photography?
10 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Melissa and Jam delve into the fascinating chemistry behind film photography. They reminisce about their childhood experiences with analog cameras and...
What gives curly hair its curl?
03 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
#027 Rebroadcast Originally Published January 23, 2020 This week, Melissa and Jam dive into the chemistry of something that may not seem like chemistr...
Are organic vegetables healthier for you?
26 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Melissa and Jam dive into the definition and implications of organic foods. They explore what organic means according to USDA standards, dissect commo...
Ask a Chemist: Explain it like I'm five?
19 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This episode of 'Chemistry for Your Life' features Melissa and Jam tackling various chemistry questions sourced from the 'Explain Like I'm Five' subre...
Is it safe to use weed killer (Roundup)?
12 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Melissa and Jam discuss the multifaceted debate surrounding the use of the widely known weed killer, Roundup, specifically its active ingredient, glyp...
Are we breathing recycled air on airplanes?
05 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
#212 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'...
What is the ozone layer?
29 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
#110 Rebroadcast Originally Published August 26, 2021 We've all heard about it. And most likely you've heard that it's in danger. But what is the ozon...
Ask a Chemist: What is heavy water? (and other questions)
22 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Question and Response #67 Melissa and Jam dive into a series of chemistry-related questions from their audience. From understanding why wintergreen mi...
Why do airplanes make you gassy?
15 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
#211 Melissa and Jam delve into the chemistry behind increased flatulence on airplanes. They explore how changes in air pressure affect gas expansion ...
Chemistry at Home: Chromatography
08 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Chemistry at Home: Chromatography Rebroadcast Originally Published June 29, 2020 Here's another bonus episode dedicated to teaching a specific chemist...
How do pregnancy tests actually work?
01 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
#210 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 H...
Ask a Chemist: Are all food dyes bad? (and other questions)
24 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ask a Chemist #66 Melissa and Jam dive into a range of listener-submitted questions exploring everyday chemistry. Topics include the chemistry behind ...
How do plants defy gravity to "drink" water?
18 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
#209 Melissa and Jam dive into the fascinating chemistry behind how plants transport water from their roots to their leaves, effectively defying gravi...
What is the future of antihistamines?
10 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
#098 Rebroadcast Original Air Date: June 3, 2021 Could histamine and antihistamines do more than just affect our allergies? Actually yes. Today we dis...
Why are seasonal allergies the worst?
03 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
#097 Rebroadcast Most of us know the feeling. But what are we actually experiencing when we experience allergies? How does being around plants and pol...
Why is red food dye banned?
27 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
#208 Melissa and Jam dive deep into the topic of FDA regulations, particularly focusing on food additives like red food dye. They discuss the complexi...
Chemistry Support: Where does a fart go? (and other questions)
20 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Question and Response 65 Melissa and Jam delve into a variety of interesting chemistry-related questions sourced from Reddit. They explore why farts s...
Can gasoline freeze?
13 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
#207 Melissa and Jam explore why gasoline doesn't freeze in extremely low temperatures while water and other substances do. They delve into the concep...
What's the chemistry of sticky stuff?
06 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
#011 Rebroadcast Why is honey sticky but salt isn’t? What’s the difference between things that stick and things that just feel sticky? In this...
Can I trust the FDA? (from thalidomide to cough medicine)
27 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
#206 Melissa and Jam address a listener's question about the FDA's reliability in approving products. They discuss the intersection of chemistry, gove...
Ask a Chemist: Does metal mess up sourdough? (and other questions)
20 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ask a Chemist #64 Melissa and Jam delve into intriguing chemistry questions posed by their listeners. They explore whether all salts are salty, the ch...
What is going on with science funding??
13 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
#205 Jam and Melissa discuss the complexities and consequences of recent executive orders surrounding science funding. Melissa provides insight into h...
What is rust and is it kinda cool?
12 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
#047 Rebroadcast This week, Melissa and Jam explore the chemistry of rust. What even is it? Where does it come from? Is it bad? Is it reversible? Let'...
How do Tums make us feel better? (And why do they make us burp?)
30 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
#114 Rebroadcast Tums, alka seltzer, and other antacids: they're simple, they've been around for a long time, but they're a tried and true method for ...
What's the Chemistry Inside Sourdough Bread?
23 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
#204 In this episode Melissa and Jam delve into the fascinating biochemistry behind sourdough bread. They explore the role of microorganisms, includin...
Ask a Chemist: Why do carrots cause hiccups? (and other questions)
16 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ask a Chemist #64 In this bonus edition of 'Chemistry for Your Life,' hosts Melissa and Jam tackle intriguing questions from listeners. They delve int...
Why does Benadryl make us sleepy?
09 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
#203 In this episode, Jam recounts a humorous yet enlightening story of accidentally taking a dog-sized dose of Benadryl and the sleepy consequences t...
Ask a Chemist: How can fire have different colors? (and other questions)
02 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Question and Response 63 In this episode Melissa and Jam embark on an 'Ask a Chemist' segment, delving into the ethics surrounding the field of chemis...
How do poinsettias detect pH levels?
26 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
#202 Melissa and Jam dive into a fun and educational holiday-themed activity using poinsettia plants. They explore the chemistry behind these festive ...
What are LEDs and how are they different from other bulbs?
19 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
#075 Rebroadcast Happy holidays, we hope you have a wonderful season whatever you celebrate! We've got a holiday related episode for you: LEDs. Well I...
What is canned air? (and should we use it?)
12 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
#201 Melissa and Jam dive into the chemistry behind air dusters. They explore the components inside these cans, and how the physical properties of the...
Chemistry at Home: Chocolate and Gum
05 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Bonus Episode: Chemistry at Home 12 (Rebroadcast) Here's another bonus episode dedicated to teaching a specific chemistry experiment you can do at hom...
What is gum? And what happens when you swallow it?
28 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
#200 In this episode Melissa and Jam delve into the fascinating world of chewing gum. They start by discussing awkward combinations of food and gum, l...
Ask a Chemist: Why are crystals rare? (and other questions)
21 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Question and Response 62 New College-Style Sweatshirt! In this special bonus episode of Chemistry for Your Life, Melissa and Jam dive into listener-su...
Do carrots help us see better?
14 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
#199 In this episode of 'Chemistry for Your Life,' hosts Melissa and Jam explore the chemistry behind the popular belief that eating carrots improves ...
What makes honey crystallize?
07 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
#055 Rebroadcast Ever notice that honey crystalizes? Isn't that like super weird? Why does it do that? This week, Melissa and Jam risk getting stuck i...
How do things glow in the dark?
31 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
#198 In this special Halloween episode Melissa and Jam explore the spooky yet fascinating world of glow-in-the-dark chemistry. The discussion delves i...
Ask a Chemist: Why do self-tanners smell weird? (and other questions)
24 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Question and Response 61 New College-Style Sweatshirt! And Spooky Chemistry Shirts Are Back! In this episode of 'Chemistry for Your Life,' hosts M...
How does spray tan stain our skin?
17 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
#196 New College-Style Sweatshirt! And Spooky Chemistry Shirts Are Back! Melissa and Jam explore the fascinating chemistry behind self tanners. Th...
What makes jalapeños spicy, and what other crazy properties do they have?
10 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
#048 Rebroadcast New College-Style Sweatshirt! And the Ghost Halloween Design is Back! This week, Melissa and Jam dive into spiciness. What is it? Is ...
Why does ibuprofen take so long to work?
03 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
#196 New College-Style Sweatshirt! Melissa and Jam delve into the science behind ibuprofen, exploring why it takes around 30 minutes to work. The disc...
Ask a Chemist: Does raw milk have more bacteria? (and other questions)
26 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Question and Response #60 New College-Style Sweatshirt! In this episode of 'Ask a Chemist' on the Chemistry for Your Life podcast, hosts Melissa and J...
How do pain killers relieve pain?
19 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
#195 New College-Style Sweatshirt! In this episode of Chemistry For Your Life, hosts Melissa and Jam delve into the science behind ibuprofen, a common...
Why do we use fluoride on our teeth?
12 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
#060 Chances are you've heard the word "fluoride" said in reference to your teeth. At the dentists office, on your bottle of mouthwash, mayb...
What are dental fillings and how are they chemistry?
05 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
#194 In this episode of Chemistry for Your Life, Melissa and Jam delve into the chemistry behind modern dental fillings. They explore how dentists use...
Ask a Chemist: Reddit's Chemistry Questions Answered
29 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Question and Response #59 Reddit's Chemistry Questions Answered In this episode of 'Chemistry for Your Life,' hosts Melissa and Jam dive into Reddit t...
What is up with RAW milk?
22 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
#193 In this episode of Chemistry for Your Life, hosts Melissa and Jam delve into the chemistry of milk, focusing on the differences between raw and p...
What happens to eggs when we cook them? (with Jason Cress)
15 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
#071 Rebroadcast It's time to crack into one of life's great mysteries: eggs. So what happens when we cook them?! How do they go from clear goo to whi...
Bonus: Fun Fact or Fake Factoid?! A Chemistry and Trivia Showdown
08 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this bonus game edition of 'Chemistry For Your Life', host Melissa, co-host Jam, and guest Claire embark on an entertaining journey of debunking or...
Ask a Neuroscientist: Why is Adderall addictive to SOME people and not others? (and other questions)
01 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Question and Response 58 In this bonus episode of Chemistry For Your Life, hosts Melissa and Jam are joined by Claire, an expert in pharmacology and n...
How do anti-depressants work? (featuring Claire Caballero)
25 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
#192 In this episode of 'Chemistry for Your Life,' hosts Melissa and Jam introduce special guest Claire Caballero, a pharmacology and neuroscience PhD...
Vitamin C: Myths, Facts, and Daily Needs
18 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
#191 In this episode of 'Chemistry for Your Life,' hosts Melissa and Jam delve into captivating and practical fun facts about vitamin C. They discuss ...
Why do apples turn brown when we cut them?
11 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
#035 Rebroadcast Do you like apples? Ever wonder why they turn brown when you cut them? This week, Melissa and Jam explore this very question. What's ...
Should we take Vitamin C when we're sick?
04 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
#190 In this episode of 'Chemistry for Your Life,' hosts Melissa and Jam delve into the role of vitamin C in the immune system and examine whether tak...
Ask a Chemist: Why do chemicals smell "chemically?" (And other questions)
27 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Question and Response 57 In this bonus episode of 'Chemistry For Your Life,' hosts Melissa Collini and Jam Robinson answer listener-submitted question...
How does Vitamin C keep our bodies from turning into mush?
20 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
#189 In this episode, Melissa and Jam delve into the crucial role of Vitamin C in the body, focusing on its importance for collagen production. They d...
Do anti-aging products work?
13 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
#099 Rebroadcast In this special re-release episode, Melissa and Jam dive deep into the world of Vitamin A (retinol) and its role in anti-aging skinca...
What even ARE vitamins? And do we actually need them?
06 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
#188 In this episode, hosts Melissa and Jam dive into the basics of vitamins. They discuss the origins of vitamins, why they are labeled with letters,...
Ask a Chemist: Why do you need yogurt to make yogurt? (And other questions)
30 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Question and Response 56 In this bonus edition of Chemistry for Your Life, hosts Melissa and Jam engage with their listeners by answering a variety of...
Why does hair turn grey when we age?
23 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
#187 This episode of 'Chemistry for Your Life' delves into the fascinating world of gray hair, exploring its chemistry and biological processes. Hosts...
Why do bad smells smell bad?
16 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
#030 Rebroadcast Melissa and Jam continue to sniff out the chemistry of smell, focusing this week on bad smells. Why are we so good at smelling bad sm...
What is old people smell? And is the internet wrong about it?
09 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
#186 In this episode of 'Chemistry for Your Life' hosts Melissa and Jam explore the common notion that elderly people have a distinct smell. They delv...
Ask a Chemist: Reddit Edition!
02 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Bonus Episode: Question and Response 55 In this bonus episode of 'Chemistry for Your Life,' hosts Melissa and Jam deviate from their usual format of a...
Is compost dirt??
25 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
#185 Let's make dirt. Or is it dirt? I don't know, well, can you dig it? We've all heard of compost, maybe you compost, maybe your friend does, maybe...
How do sunglasses protect our eyes?
18 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
#082 Rebroadcast Wow sunglasses sure are cool. What's the coolest thing about them? Is it how cool they make us look and feel? Or is it the chemistry...
What are the Northern Lights?
11 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
#184 That's right, the Northern Lights aren't just cool CGI after all. They're real, but what are they? Why do they occur? And how are they chemistry...
Ask a Chemist: Can you dissolve a liquid into a solid? (and other questions)
04 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Bonus Episode: Question and Response 54 In this month's bonus episode, Melissa and Jam respond to your comments and questions about dissolving, purpl...
Did the FDA eliminate Forever Chemicals? (PFAS Part 5!)
28 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
#183 We're adding another chapter to the PFAS series! There's new information from the FDA that we've got to talk about,. It's about the PFAS that co...
Why do things fade in the sun?
21 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
#081 Rebroadcast The sun. It's nice, it's warm, it helps things grow, it helps us see, it helps us exist in the first place. But it's also a massive ...
What's the REAL reason we can't look at a solar eclipse?
14 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
#182 There's an eclipse coming to the US in April! Which means we'll all be getting that reminder to NOT LOOK AT THE ECLIPSE WITHOUT PROPER EYE PROTE...
Ask a Chemist: How does purple shampoo work, or does it? (and other questions)
07 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Bonus Episode: Question and Response 53 In this month's bonus episode, Melissa and Jam respond to your comments and questions about purple shampoo, s...
What is Vitamin D? And what does it have to do with the sun?!
29 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
#181 Have you heard about Vitamin D? Has someone ever told you that you need it and it's really important? Have you ever wondered why? And have you e...
Why do plants die in freezing weather?
22 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
#085 Rebroadcast Well here in Texas, we just suffered through an intense freeze. And many a plant became a casualty of the cold, but why? What's goin...
What's up with Fahrenheit, Celsius, and... Kelvin?
15 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
#180 Depending on where you live, you may use Fahrenheit or Celsius to measure temperature, but how did these measurements come about, why are they d...
Ask a Chemist: Why do metals look metallic? (and other questions!)
08 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Bonus Episode: Question and Response 52 In this month's bonus episode, Melissa and Jam respond to your comments and questions about metals, kombucha,...
How do infrared thermometers work?
01 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
#179 Over the past few years infrared thermometers have started being EVERYWHERE. So as we've cracked open the conversation on thermometers we've got...