Instant Genius
Episodes
Peak Performance: How to get the most out of your workout, whatever your level of fitness
21 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Most of us know that we should probably be trying to get a bit more exercise, but fitting gym sessions into our busy work and homelives can often be t...
How gases shaped life on Earth and helped human beings to prosper
18 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
From the oxygen in the air we breathe to the atmosphere that cloaks the Earth and protects us from the Sun’s harmful ultraviolet light, gases are es...
Don’t miss the upcoming Peak Performance miniseries special!
17 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Looking to get the maximum possible benefits out of your gym time? Want to find out why what you do to recover outside of the gym is just as important...
How biology has shaped the history of the human race
14 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
There are currently more than eight billion human beings living on Earth, occupying nearly every corner of the planet. It’s a remarkable situation t...
How a heating planet is changing sports
11 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We can see climate change in our food, holidays and even day-to-day life, but one area we rarely think about is our sports. And yet, climate change co...
How maths can help us to understand the human brain
07 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It’s often said that the human brain is the most complex structure in the known Universe. So how do we go about studying it? You may think that we s...
Here’s why science says you do have free will
04 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Did you really choose to listen to this podcast? Or was the decision just the product of neurons firing in your brain, used by biochemical reactions, ...
How triangles are hiding everywhere
30 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
From tortilla chips and ham sandwiches to teepees and the Great Pyramid of Giza, the world is filled with triangles. But why is this seemingly simple ...
The gene therapy future has arrived
27 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Right now, in hospitals around the world, patients are being cured of diseases once thought untreatable. The reason? A gene therapy revolution means ...
How to form more meaningful relationships
23 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It’s well established that human beings are social animals who thrive on making connections with others. But did you know that developing and mainta...
Misophonia: Why some of us can’t bear the sound of chewing
20 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It’s a scene many of us will have experienced: we’re at the cinema, the lights go down, the film begins and then suddenly the person behind us sta...
How close are we to discovering aliens?
16 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Finding alien life could be just around the corner. At least, that’s if the James Webb Space Telescope and other techniques help us discover their e...
The story of human evolution, from the Big Bang to the advent of consciousness and beyond
13 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Why are we here? Where did we come from? What are we even made from? These must be some of deepest questions humans can ever ask. But that has never s...
How thinking about addiction differently can help us find better treatments
09 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Addiction can be devastating not only for the addict themselves, but also for their loved ones and anyone around them. But what causes it, and how sho...
Why we shouldn’t be afraid of personal data collection
06 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
These days, pretty much every move we make online is tracked in one way or another. Whether it’s through our social media accounts or online shoppin...
The story of black holes, with Marcus Chown
02 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Black holes are surely one of the most fascinating and mysterious phenomena in the known Universe. But few people know that the story behind their dis...
The surprising ways the microbiome affects our brain development, emotions, and sex lives
30 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We humans are never truly alone. This is because our bodies are colonised by vast numbers of microscopic organisms that can be found living everywhere...
How animals took to the air and conquered the skies
26 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The existence of flight in the animal kingdom is something that many of us take for granted. But on closer inspection, it can perhaps be thought of as...
How to spot and fight misinformation
23 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The internet is full of false facts and misinformation, but how can you tell what is real or fake? We spoke to Alex Edmans, author of May Contain Lies...
How the James Webb Space Telescope is helping us discover the secrets of the cosmos
19 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In the short time since its launch in 2021, the James Webb Space Telescope has produced some absolutely breathtaking images of the cosmos. And there’...
How dreaming affects our creativity
16 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever had a difficult decision to make and after much thought and deliberation decided that you should sleep on it and see how you feel in the...
What happens in our brains when we dream?
12 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The chances are most of us will remember at least one dream we’ve had recently. But where do dreams come from, why is their content often universal ...
How the evolution of eggs has shaped life on Earth
09 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
If most of us hear the word ‘egg’ it’s likely our minds will immediately turn to the hens’ eggs that we enjoy fried, poached or scrambled for ...
How our everyday rituals affect our happiness and wellbeing
05 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Do you brush your teeth before you shower in the morning, or do you shower first? Perhaps you like to give yourself a pep talk in the bathroom mirror ...
How making the right dietary choices can help to keep us healthy in every stage of our lives
02 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
From the time that we are first developing in the womb right through until we are in our old age, the food we eat has a huge impact on our health and ...
The psychology and neuroscience of nostalgia
28 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Whether they’re triggered by looking through old family photographs, hearing a piece of music you haven’t heard for years or eating a favourite ch...
The neuroscience of remembering and forgetting
25 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We all forget things from time to time, it’s a normal part of everyday life. But according to the latest research in neuroscience, it is forgetting,...
Is our orbital space at breaking point?
21 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
When it comes to thinking about sustainability, most of us usually keep our feet on the ground. But as we extend our reach beyond this small rocky pla...
How to build a quantum computer
18 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
There is little doubt that the advent of the computer has had one of the most far-reaching impacts of any invention in the history of mankind. These d...
How to keep your immune system healthy
14 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We often hear about the importance of our immune system, but how can we maintain it and keep it healthy? The answer is easier than you might think. We...
The potential health benefits of green tea
11 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Be it drank first thing in the morning, as an afternoon pick-me-up or to soothe our souls after hearing some bad news, we Brits love a cup of tea. Bu...
How the mind affects physical health and vice versa
07 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
For years researchers around the world have viewed the brain and body as separate entities, to be treated using different methods and even in differen...
How AI will make the world a better place, not bring it to an end
04 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Artificial Intelligence can seem scary, especially with rapid advancements, but what if it actually improves our future? We spoke to Nick Bostrum, a l...
Busting social media diet and nutrition myths
31 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
These days as many as 60 per cent of us are turning to the Internet or social media to get health advice. It’s a staggering number, especially when ...
What happens in our bodies as we age? And is it possible to turn back the clock?
29 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Be it biology, psychology or philosophy, ageing and death are undoubtedly two of the most difficult concepts to tackle in any field of research, so wh...
How science can help you have better conversations
25 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Do you ever find yourself in a meeting at work or in a social occasion and notice how someone in the room seems able to effortlessly and succinctly pu...
Synaesthesia: How some of us experience music as shapes and colours and words as flavours
22 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Do you experience sounds or music visually as certain shapes? Or perhaps you are able to ‘taste’ words or ‘hear’ colours. If so, it sounds li...
Why you’re not actually addicted to your phone
18 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Just about everywhere we look today, screens, and in particular social media, are being called addictive, and being blamed for causing mental health p...
How personalised medicine is about to change healthcare
15 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
There’s no doubt new advances in science and technology are having a huge impact on the way we live our lives these days. From Big Data and artifici...
How some of the most fascinating discoveries in astronomy were made by accident
11 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
For those of us on the outside, scientific discoveries can often appear to be neat, tidy and well thought out in advance. Theorists come up with a hyp...
The surprising role of clouds in climate change
08 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Clouds aren’t just the harbingers of bad weather. Turns out, they are crucial players in the climate – and so, too, in climate change. In this epi...
Why giraffes are undergoing a silent extinction
04 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
There can be few animals that are as iconic and instantly recognisable as giraffes. But despite their unique, almost mystical appearance and enduring ...
Why we are seeing the return of infectious diseases
01 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In the first quarter of 2024, infectious diseases including measles, plague, and cholera have all reared their ugly heads again. Are we seeing an unpr...
How to overcome social paranoia and anxiety
26 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Do you often find yourself worrying that people are talking about you behind your back? If so, don’t worry: according to our guest, Prof Daniel Free...
How feelings of listlessness and aimlessness has become an epidemic, and how we can beat it
23 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Are you feeling demotivated and aimless and struggling to figure out why? If so, it sounds like you might be languishing – a term used to describe t...
Placebo: Why this miraculous experience really works
19 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The placebo effect is a seemingly wonderful experience, healing people with no apparent cure - but how does it really work? We spoke to Jeremy Howick,...
How to cope with whatever life throws at you
16 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We all have a breaking point. But how close we come to it – and how we cope – comes down to our unique blend of genetics and life experiences. In ...
How understanding your boredom can improve your life
12 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It's easy to try to ignore feelings of boredom, but it can actually be trying to tell you something. We spoke to James Danckert, a professor of cognit...
How animals speak to each other
09 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
From birdsong to wolf howls, from dolphins’ clicks and whistles to gibbons’ whoops and wows, the natural world is filled with a myriad of animal v...
How to perfect your coffee routine
05 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Coffee is a drink favoured by billions of people around the world, but doing it right isn't easy. We spoke to Christopher Hendon, a computational m...
Why humans need laughter
02 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Laughter is a fundamental part of our lives, but why do we do it? We spoke to Sophie Scott, a professor of cognitive neuroscience at the University Co...
Why hedgehog numbers are falling and how we can stop it
29 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Whether it’s from reading Beatrix Potter’s Mrs Tiggy-Winkle or from encounters in our own gardens, many of us have a special place in our hearts f...
How to lose weight the scientific way
26 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Chances are, many of us will have tried to drop a few pounds at some point in our lives. And it’s likely that to do so we will have cut down on the ...
Avocados: Nutritional superfood or environmental disaster?
22 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Since their first appearance on our supermarket shelves several decades ago, avocados have gone from being a mere exotic curiosity to a regular featur...
How to pace yourself in an exhausting world
19 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
How can we rearrange our lives to get a bit more energy? In her new book Pace Yourself: How to have energy in an exhausting world, Amy Arthur traces t...
The science of the paranormal: Why we see ghosts, UFOs and visions of our past lives
15 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
UFOs, tarot cards, and ghostly figures. The paranormal world is all around us, but how can the unexplainable be explained? We spoke to Chris French, t...
Has the Moon entered a new epoch?
12 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In our short history of space exploration, humans have already changed the Moon significantly. From the cultural heritage of our first footprints to t...
Email overload: How a full inbox affects your mental health, and what you can do to take back control
08 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It’s a feeling most of us will have experienced at some point: you arrive at work in the morning and open your email client only to be overwhelmed b...
The anti-ageing wonder drugs of the near future
05 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Could you ever take a pill that actually prevents ageing? If we’re lucky, absolutely. In fact, such a pill might be available within the next decade...
Simple ways to slow your biological age (and maybe even reverse it)
29 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
How would you like to slow, stop or even reverse your body’s ageing? Although that might sound like science fiction, a growing body of research sugg...
How finding moments of awe can bolster your mental health
22 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Great mountains, beautiful movies and moments to appreciate life in all its glory. These are all experiences that make us feel a sense of awe, but wha...
Tinnitus: What causes the persistent ringing or buzzing of the ears and how can we treat it?
18 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Many of us will have experienced a ringing or whining noise in our ears at some point, perhaps after going to a concert or working a long shift in a l...
Simple ways to prevent (and reverse) type 2 diabetes
15 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A staggering 415 million people around the world today are living with diabetes, with almost half of those cases undiagnosed. In fact, it’s perfectl...
Aphantasia: How people with no mind’s eye see the world
11 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
When you hear the word ‘horse’ do you find it difficult to conjure up a mental image of what a horse looks like? If so, it sounds like you’re an...
The truth about bodyfat
08 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
At this time of year most of us will likely be a little concerned about piling on a few pounds after overindulging in food and drink over the holidays...
Can we predict the future of the climate?
04 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The climate is notoriously unpredictable and hard to plan for, but can and should we try to understand its future, or simply prepare for what is to co...
The strange science of near-death experiences
01 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
What happens after we die is one of the biggest questions we ask. Over centuries it’s been asked not only by scientists, but by philosophers, theolo...
How AI is going to transform the classroom
27 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Royal Institution has been putting on the science spectacles for children known as the Christmas Lectures almost every year since 1825. For 200 ye...
Chris Packham wants you to be a scientist – and then forget the science
24 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we hear about Chris Packham’s guide to saving the planet. Think of the most iconic creature in the world. Now put that creature int...
How using science can make you a better cook
20 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Never mind so-called molecular gastronomy. Even without Michelin-Starred chefs’ use of spherification, sous vide and meat glues, there’s more than...
Inside the brain of a thrill seeker
17 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Whether its jumping out of planes or climbing giant mountains, some people live for the thrill. But are their brains different and can you become a th...
Why we find cuteness so appealing
13 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Why do so many of us find babies, kittens and puppies so cute? How did the now-widespread Japanese notion of kawaii end up transcending cultural bound...
Intrusive thoughts – why we get them and how to cope with them
10 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Do you ever find yourself going about your daily business when suddenly an unpleasant thought pops into your head? These are known as intrusive though...
How black holes’ even stranger siblings could be the source of dark matter, with Carlo Rovelli
06 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
These days, largely thanks to science fiction movies, most of us will be familiar with the idea of black holes – regions of spacetime where gravity ...
How to beat burnout
03 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Whether its from work, home life or just general pressure, more and more people are suffering from burnout. But what is it, and how can you beat it? W...
Why are the world's plants disappearing – and can we save them?
30 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In October, Kew Gardens released a report inspired by a dream of Charles Darwin’s. Described as the most comprehensive plant database ever produced,...
The future of panda conservation
26 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
There can be few animals as iconic and instantly recognisable as pandas. The black and white bears are beloved the world over thanks to their distinct...
Becoming an artist with robotics and AI
22 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Sougwen Chung is one of the TIMES 100 most influential people in AI. Through the use of AI, robotics and other forms of futuristic tech, she creates m...
How the successful return of beavers to UK rivers is a positive argument for rewilding
19 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Around a decade ago, beavers were spotted in the rivers of southwest England for the first time in 400 years. But exactly what impact have they made o...
How learning to fail better can help us to succeed
15 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Not all failures are equal. In fact, some of them can present us with valuable opportunities to learn new things and make new discoveries. The trick i...
Will we be able to have babies in space?
12 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Future human races may indeed live extra-terrestrial lives. But how will we reproduce and continue survival once we’re in space? To find out, we spo...
Can AI ever really be ethical?
08 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Artificial intelligence has grown drastically in recent years, entering everything from art to medicine. We talk to Nigel Cannings, an expert in artif...
What clean energy will look like after renewables
05 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
When it comes to the climate crisis, energy is one of the biggest and most complex topics. To help us break it down into something more manageable, we...
The future of drug discovery
01 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
If we learnt anything from the COVID-19 pandemic it was that, as a society, we owe a huge debt to the scientists around the world that work, day in, d...
Sustainability Special – Why ‘biodegradable’ doesn’t mean what you think
28 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We humans depend on the Earth’s natural resources for our very existence so it’s vital that we take as good care of them as we can. However, it’...
Sustainability Special - The potential of smart materials
24 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We humans depend on the Earth’s natural resources for our very existence so it’s vital that we take as good care of them as we can. However, it’...
Sustainability Special - Solving the world’s plastic pollution problem
21 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We humans depend on the Earth’s natural resources for our very existence so it’s vital that we take as good care of them as we can. However, it’...
Sustainability Special – How can we make our food more secure?
17 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Like it or not, food plays a central role in all of our lives. It’s so important that whole societies and economies have formed around it, wars are ...
What mass extinctions can teach us about the future of life on Earth
14 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Most of us are aware that an asteroid strike led to the extinction of the dinosaurs some 66 million years ago. But fewer are aware that this was just ...
Neil DeGrasse Tyson explains the Universe’s greatest mysteries
10 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
What’s beyond our Universe? Will time travel ever be possible? And what might aliens look like? All huge questions that today we’re asking a speci...
The bizarre science of cat behaviour
07 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Why is it that cats sleep so much? Can they be taught any tricks? And are dogs actually smarter than cats? These are just some of the questions you mi...
The truth about fasting and time-restricted eating
03 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Lose weight, gain more energy, boost your metabolism and even live for longer: these are some of the claims made by the adherents of fasting and time-...
Why we should be doing more to prepare for contact with alien civilisations
31 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Are we alone in the Universe? It’s probably one of the most hotly debated questions in science today. In this episode we catch up with theoretical p...
Busting testosterone myths
27 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Mere mention of the word ‘testosterone’ is likely to bring to mind images of bodybuilders with bulging muscles or angry, aggressive men that are c...
The Science of De-extinction
24 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
When an animal is extinct that means we’ll never see the likes of it again, right? Well, not quite. Not if biotechnology and genetic engineering com...
How science can help you make better decisions
20 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
From picking out what to wear in the morning, to choosing your profession or where to live, life is full of decisions, both big and small. But what ca...
How dementia affects the brain, and how we’ll one day beat it
17 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
According to the World Health Organization, dementia currently affects an estimated 55 million people worldwide. But despite its prevalence, there is ...
How AI is changing the world of scams
13 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
AI, deepfakes and advanced technology has made scams more advanced than ever. We spoke to Oli Buckley, a professor of cyber security at the University...
How False Memories can trick your mind
10 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Do you consider yourself to have a good memory? Perhaps you can recall the minor details of events that occurred years ago. But how about remembering ...
What we’re all getting wrong about ADHD
06 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We’ve all heard of ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. But there’s actually a lot scientists don’t for sure know about the condit...