Sidenote by AsapSCIENCE

Needles: why so scary!?

19 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We’re celebrating vaccinations with an episode all about needles. Why are we so scared of them? What is the evolutionary basis behind that...

Summer Bodies: The best way to get one!

12 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Summer's coming! And after a year of quarantine, we thought we could use some science to motivate us. We'll be looking at calorie counting - does it e...

Dreams: what do they actually mean!?

05 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today’s episode is about DREAMS! Not your hopes and dreams, but the kind you have when you’re fast asleep. Why do you have dreams? What ...

Penises: how did they evolve? ft. Natalie Norman

28 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This is EXPLICIT, so make sure you’re not listening with young ones around! We’re talking about sex, our own bodies, sharing personal sex sto...

The Monarchy: Are They Inbred?!

21 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today we’re spilling the TEA on…well, the science of tea and also the Monarchy! With Harry and Meghan interview and the passing of Prince Philip, ...

Elitism in Science ft. Raven the Science Maven

14 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Science is ELITIST, and today the incredible science communicator Raven the Science Maven (who is getting her DANG PHD IN SCICOMM) helps explain why, ...

Salads: are they even THAT healthy?

07 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Building the perfect salad is an art…to some. Today we’re tackling the divisive subject of the salad from the history of kale to the science of ...

Gossip: Is It Healthy? ft. Hoodo Hersi

31 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today we are GOSSIPING! Is it good, is it bad, is it simply human nature? We’re joined by the hilarious and fantastic comedian Hoodo Hersi to hear w...

Gift-Giving: panic inducing or pure joy?

24 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The science of gift giving is complex. It is a prosocial behaviour but it makes Greg panic and Mitch hates performing while receiving gifts. What is g...

Will Humans Ever Live on Mars? ft. Emily Calandrelli

10 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

SpaceX, Mars Perseverance, Virgin Galactic - are humans going to live on MARS!? Today we are joined by Emily Calandrelli who is WAY smarter than us ab...

Influencers: are they ruining Earth?

03 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Merch, private jets, thirst traps, advertising McDonalds, are influencers ruining the planet? Today we look at the carbon footprint of an influencers,...

Houseplant Tips: the best advice you'll get ft. Nick Pileggi

24 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

How much water? Is 'dusting' plants bad? Is peat moss inherently evil? SHOULD YOU REPOT PLANTS? We have all the answers with plant expert Nick Pileggi...

The Human Body: why does it suck?

17 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Sprained ankles, sore backs, broken knees ... are we built right? Today we explore how painful the human body can be, and specific ways that we could ...

The COVID Variants: how scary are they?

10 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

"New variants of concern" is an ominous name. Today we will go through the most recent research about how scared we should be. Also, what can we do to...

Antivaxxers: how do you convert them

03 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Vaccine hesitancy is running rampant. Today we explain why Facebook is causing it, tips to convert anti-vaxxers and the POWER OF EMPATHY (which can ob...

Crying: why do your eyes leak?

27 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We are the only animals that cry emotionally. Scientists don't know exactly why we do it, but all of our theories lead us to believe it is a healthy p...

Boredom: creative catalyst or horrible feeling?

20 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The science of boredom is confusing. Depending on the study it is considered helpful, or harmful. Today we are going to look into why, and how we can ...

Winter: how to cope and thrive!

13 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

All humans experience winter. The pandemic is a form of winter, forcing us to be stagnant, stay inside and reflect. There are fascinating psychologica...

Marijuana: what happens when you quit?

16 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Weed changes your brain, so what happens if you stop? Today we explain what happens when you get stoned, what endocannabinoids do in our body and how ...

Humour: what makes something funny?

09 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The science of comedy is complicated. It involves complex neurophysiology, culture, context and … feeling safe? We evolved language between 80,000 -...

Drinking Alcohol: how bad is it?

02 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Vodka, Beer or Cider? Is one worse than others? With the holidays coming, being stuck at home and drinking can become a vice. So, according to physiol...

COVID-19 Vaccine Update: What's the gossip?

25 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Spring 2021? Moderna better than Pfizer? 94.5% vs. 90%? What details do we know about these slique new super BRILLIANTLY MADE COVID-19 vaccines? All a...

Among Us: how video games play with your emotions

18 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Video games, such as Among Us, have become popular in a pandemic, but why do we as humans love them? Studies find it is about guilt, the reward pathwa...

Crushes - why do we get them? ft. DJ Mausner

04 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

A brain while crushing is similar to people on COCAINE! In the past people thought a crush was a lovesicknesses disease that caused you to become obse...

Take Out - how bad is it?

28 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Styrofoam, aluminum, plastic - which is worse? Also, new studies show we are getting way more takeout in the pandemic, so what does that mean for the ...

Pet Peeves - where do they come from? ft. I Have To Call My Sister Podcast

21 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This ep is LOL! Chewing loudly, nails on a chalkboard, LEAVING FOOD IN THE SINK!? Everyone has a pet peeve, but where do they come from, why do they e...

Muscles: how do you get JACKED!?

14 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The science of muscles, motivation and steroids is fascinating. In recent years it seems humans have become obsessed with health and fitness, but what...

Houseplants - how do they help your health?

07 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Volatile organic compounds, nature bathing, repotting plants and your heart rate, there are a lot of studies about houseplants and your health ... but...

What You'll Eat on Mars ft. Dr. Proctor

30 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Dried fruits, simple veggies, PINEAPPLE EVEN!? WHAT WILL HUMANS EAT ON MARS!? Dr. Sian Proctor is an incredible food scientist who spent months living...

Face Creams: are they just hype?

23 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Glycerol, retinol, phenoxyethanol - chemicals galore! Are face cream ingredients fake or do they actually help your skin? There is a lot of misinforma...

WAP: The Science of Arousal

16 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The vulva, lubrication and Bartholin's glands contribute to a WAP! In fact, there is a reason why Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion's song is a scientif...

Android vs. Apple w/ Marques Brownlee

09 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Marques Brownlee is the king of tech on YouTube. Today he explains how the pandemic is affecting tech product roll outs, if Mitch needs to drop his An...

Meditation: does it really work?

02 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Meditation activates your default mode network, but how? Can meditating help other people around you? What is the best way to meditate? We answer it a...

WTF is Economics? ft. Anna Gifty

19 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Are economists evil or the backbone of society? Anna Gifty explains economics, sociology and how diversity on wall street can prevent economic crashes...

How Will The Universe End? ft. Katie Mack

05 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The end will come, but how? Katie Mack, the brilliant cosmologist and author of the new book The End of Everything (Astrophysically Speaking) is here ...

Masks - do they work against Coronavirus?

29 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This is the updated science on masks. How many droplets do they stop? What are the best kinds? How can you test them yourselves. What Did We Learn Thi...

Starfish Sperm and Your Brain! ft. Dr. Esther

22 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Esther Odekunle studies the neurophysiology of Starfish, and your brain. She teaches us how starfish vomit out their stomachs, how "sensitive" they ar...

Sibling Science - Does Birth Order Matter?

15 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Does being born first make you smarter? Does having more siblings mean less parental care? There is a lot of scientific information on birth order, bu...

Sidenote Presents: Can I Speak To The Manager

08 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

"Can I Speak To The Manager" is Greg's other podcast where he and his co-host study an artists career to decide why they're famous, what went wrong an...

Teaching Math in DRAG? ft. Kyne

01 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Kyne teaches math to millions, IN DRAG! We find out why she started, how she makes her famous TikTok's and how she combats racism with MATH! We even l...

Does Protesting Work?

24 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

New technology can track protests and study the effectiveness of mass movements, so do they work? What did we learn this week: 1) How humans perceive ...

Lab Shenanigans: TikTok meets SCIENCE!?

17 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Darrion Nguyen a.k.a. Lab Shenanigans hilariously teaches millions about science on TikTok. We love his videos, and wanted to talk about how he makes ...

Racism and Science

03 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Scientific studies show racism is real, and both psychologically and physiologically damaging. At the same time, STEM is dominated by systemic racism....

Animal Crossing

27 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Scientific studies find that Animal Crossing can improve social behaviour but contribute to negative ideals, such as, unchecked neo-liberal free marke...

Debunking Michael Moore & "Planet of the Humans"

20 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Michael Moore's new documentary "Planet Of The Humans" attacks the environmental movement and has over 8 million views on YouTube. We watched it so yo...

Conspiracy Theories: 5G, Coronavirus and the Plandemic

13 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Greg and Mitch talk to Joan Donovan from the Harvard Kennedy School about how conspiracy theories work, how to stop them and what we can expect for ou...

The Truth About Elon Musk

06 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Murder hornets, new COVID-19 symptoms plus Elon Musk losing it on twitter, um, 2020 needs to stop!!! We break down all these things plus the science b...

How To Speed Up a COVID-19 Vaccine ft. Dr. Nir Eyal

30 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week we talk to bioethicist Dr. Nir Eyal about COVID-19 human challenge trial testing. It is a fascinating conversation about the bioethics of tr...

Infecting Yourself With Coronavirus

22 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Human challenge trials may speed up the COVID19 vaccine. It means volunteers would get a trial vaccine or a placebo then be ADMINISTERED the virus. We...

Tiger King

15 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Does Netflix's Tiger King ignore science? We conglomerate studies and tackle the wildly popular documentary from a conservationist and cat historian p...

Grace Helbig: How To Start a YouTube Channel

08 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week we learn from the amazing, hilarious and insightful Grace Helbig! We get tips about starting a YouTube channel, dealing with growing pains a...

Antivirals: Will They End COVID-19?

01 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Antivirals are being tested RIGHT NOW to fight COVID-19. How do they work? When can we expect results? And why do we keep hearing about Chloroquine an...

COVID-19 Vaccine

25 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

What stage is it at? Anti-vaxxer issues? When can we use it? ALSO, WHY ARE VACCINES THE BEST DANG THING IN THE WORLD!? We use a variety of studies to ...

Self-Isolation

18 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

What happens when you self-isolate? We look at studies from the 2003 SARS epidemic to explain what to expect from staying at home during a global pand...

Love Is Blind

04 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Greg and Mitch go OFF on the popular Netflix dating show “Love Is Blind” and explain the surprising amount of science. For example, what happens i...

Disneyland

26 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Employees emotional distress, Rise of the Resistance and mosquitoes, Greg and Mitch went to Disneyland so you don't have too. They break down the scie...

David Epstein - Self Improvement, Sport Science and Science Communication

19 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

David Epstein is an amazing science communicator and the best selling author of "Range: Why Generalist Triumph in a Specialized World" and "The Sports...

Simone Giertz

05 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week Mitch and Greg are joined by the infamous SIMONE GIERTZ. She is the amazing inventor, YouTuber, Truckla maker and DANG DANG COOLEST GAL AROU...

Testicles

29 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Greg and Mitch breakdown the viral TikTok trend claiming testicles can taste. We also explain why you get "blue balls" or even "blue vulva", and final...

Biorobots: Are They Actually Alive?

22 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The first living robots were just created! We discuss the science behind them and argue what it means to "be alive". We also detail new robots unveile...

Australia Fires

15 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Why did they start? How do we talk about them? Is Prime Minister Scott Morrison the worst human ever? This week we chat about the recent fires in Aust...

Biggest Science Stories of the Decade (2010 - 2019)

18 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

So much has changed since 2010 as we recap this decade through science. Crispr pigs, probes on comets, the black hole photo, we humans have done SO MA...

Body Image

11 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Mitch and Greg speak on their own body image issues and the recent scientific studies about social media negatively affecting our perception of oursel...

Hustle Culture

04 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Rise and grind! Hustle HARDER! We are constantly told that working super hard aka "hustling" brings success ... but what does science say? We also cha...

The Plastic Problem

27 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Today we have Rachel Salt, the author of "The Plastic Problem" join us to talk about plastics! In our recent YouTube video we wore every piece of plas...

The Streaming Wars

20 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Netflix, Disney+, Apple+ or even something called Quibi. The amount of streaming services is out of control. But what is the environmental impact of t...

Climate Change Deniers

07 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Who are these "climate change deniers", and why do they believe the things they believe? More importantly, what are the most effective ways to communi...

Instagram Addiction

02 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Are you addicted to Instagram? WE ARE! Do you want to use it less? WE DO! This episode explains a scientific perspective on how to decrease Instagram ...

Sleep Deprivation

24 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

WARNING: We recorded this podcast with an extreme lack of sleep. We stayed awake for 36 hours to test our own sleep deprivation and you can hear first...

Pubic Hair

18 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week is all about PUBES! What does science say about trimming? Are kids getting pubes earlier? IS IT DANGEROUS TO SHAVE DOWN THERE? We tell embar...

Burnout: The Creativity Killer

11 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

We've been gone from this podcast for 4 MONTHS, EEEEEK! The main reason was *drumroll please* YOUTUBE BURNOUT! This week we explain the most recent sc...

Game of Thrones: Brilliant or Boring?

10 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Winter Is Coming!  Game of Thrones is back this weekend (April 14 2019) and as you might expect, Greg and Mitch feel different ways about it.  This ...

Conspiracy Theories: YouTube's Heaven or Hell?

03 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Can we mathematically determine whether or not there's intelligent life elsewhere in the Milky Way? What science gets ignored by conspiracy theorists ...

Zoos: Do They Help Or Harm Animals?

27 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

What's currently going on in Marineland? How can you get over your fear of spiders? This week, Greg and Mitch share stories about zoos, both the good ...

How Should You Talk About Vaccines?

20 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In recent months measles outbreaks have been on the rise, and diseases we thought were long gone are making a comeback.  What's the solution?  How d...

Justin Trudeau: From Vogue to Villain?

13 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Our handsome Prime Minister has been having a rough couple of months.  The recent SNC Lavalin scandal is showcasing that Trudeau and Canada aren't as...

Going Vegan: World-Saving or Ego-Inflating?

27 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

What's really going on within the dairy industry? Why should we be on the lookout for Giardia lamblia? What are some ways to use cognitive bias to yo...

The Oscars: Should They Be Cancelled?

20 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Why are tracking shots so effective? Are the Academy Awards merit-based? And speaking of awards, what are some things you could do to up your chances ...

Vlogging: Mental Health Nightmare or Building Community?

13 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Making vlogs and watching vlogs is a favourite millennial pass time!  On one hand it's a way of documenting and sharing your life but on the other th...

Apple Vs Android: Which Is The Smarter Choice?

06 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Why are Apple store employees trained to interpret body language? What are things you can do to reduce the amount of time you spend on your phone?  T...

Winter: Special or Stressful?

30 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Does temperature affect our perception of time? Why are some people more inclined than others to take risks? How much of an impact did the ice storm o...

Tidying Up: Life Changing Magic or Waste of Time?

23 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

What are some of the most stressful jobs, and some of the stinkiest smells? Can Greg and Mitch get through the tidying up process in one piece? This w...

Breakfast: To Eat Or Not To Eat?

16 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

How can you improve your microbiome diversity? What's the science behind the new intermittent fasting craze? Why exactly do we eat three meals a day? ...

Ellen DeGeneres: Funny or Flawed?

09 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

What has Ellen's impact been on our culture and society? She seems to sell everything, so how much is she actually worth? This week, Greg and Mitch sh...

The Best of Sidenote 2018

19 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

As requested by listeners these are some of your favourite clips from 2018. Thank you for an amazing first year of our podcast - we really appreciate ...

Small Towns or Big Cities: Where Should You Live?

12 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Are big cities dangerous? Do small towns make you less smart? Is living in one better than the other? This week Greg recounts a celebrity encounter in...

Stress: How To Fight The Feeling

05 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Is stress killing you and how can science help you deal it? This week Mitch talks about when he almost died in Bangladesh and Greg explains the stress...

Grindr: Destroying Confidence or Building Community?

28 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

What has science discovered about the gay hook up app Grindr? Is it damaging peoples confidence or fostering consensual sex?  This week, Greg and gue...

Juuling: Blowing Up or Blowing Smoke?

21 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Okay, so this week Greg and Mitch debate about whether or not "Juuling" -- the e-cigarette phenomenon sweeping the nation -- is having a positive or n...

Astrology: Scientific or a Scam?

14 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

How big is the psychic industry and is it ripping people off? Can our palms actually tell us things about our body and future? This week, Mitch talks ...

Liberals vs. Conservatives: Why Do You Hate The Other Side?

07 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

This week Greg talks about being punched in the face at his first protest and Mitch explains his mental breakdown at a shooting range. In the end we h...

Scary Movies: Ghosts, Sleep Paralysis and Spooky Stats

31 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

This week Mitch talks about seeing ghosts and dealing with sleep paralysis, while Greg faces his childhood fear of being robbed in the night. Then the...

Coffee: Healthy Treat or Addictive Trap?

24 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

This week Greg talks about the time he tried to quit caffeine and the AsapSCIENCE office nearly shut down entirely.  Mitch remembers when he was dupe...

Climate Change: Is It Too Late?

17 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

This week Mitch talks about a horrifying experience at the slowly disappearing Great Barrier Reef and Greg explains the scorching heat they felt in th...

Masturbation: Addictive Habit or Healthy Pleasure

10 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

This week Greg explains the weird ways he used to download porn and Mitch talks about struggling not to masturbate while on Big Brother. We then debat...

Phone Addiction: Are You Addicted To Your Phone?

03 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

This week we break down the science of phone addiction. Greg talks about the horrors of texting the wrong person while Mitch speaks about when a phone...

Musicals: What's The Greatest Show Of All Time? (LIVE)

26 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Live in Toronto from Just For Laughs festival! Greg recounts getting robbed and having his "Cats" musical VHS stolen, while Mitch goes into the dark w...

Gay Marriage: Should We Get Married?

19 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Greg and Mitch decide whether or not to get hitched.  The guys tell stories about bizarre wedding traditions such as ALWAYS serving dry ch...

Human Extinction: Is The World Going To End Soon?

12 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Greg and Mitch talk about the current political climate and how much it's impacted their lives, including remember the day that Trump was elected. The...

Louis CK: Should He Still Do Comedy?

05 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Mitch and Greg discuss the controversy surrounding Louis C.K. Mitch talks about the first time her heard Louis say a gay slur and Greg talks about doi...