Chemistry For Your Life
A podcast that helps you understand the fascinating chemistry hidden in your everyday life.
Have you ever wondered why onions make you cry? Or how soap gets your hands clean? What really is margarine, or why do trees change colors in the fall? Melissa is a chemist, and to answer these questions she started a podcast, called Chemistry for your life!
In each episode Melissa explains the chemistry behind one of life’s mysteries to Jam, who is definitely not a chemist, but she explains it in a way that is easy to understand, and totally fascinating.
If you’re someone who loves learning new things, or who wonders about the way the world works, then give us a listen.
- Update frequency
- every 6 days
- Average duration
- 33 minutes
- Episodes
- 359
- Years Active
- 2019 - 2025
What is gum? And what happens when you swallow it?
#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, leading to an exploration of what gum is made of. …
Ask a Chemist: Why are crystals rare? (and other questions)
Question and Response 62
In this special bonus episode of Chemistry for Your Life, Melissa and Jam dive into listener-submitted questions, covering everything from the r…
Do carrots help us see better?
#199
In this episode of 'Chemistry for Your Life,' hosts Melissa and Jam explore the chemistry behind the popular belief that eating carrots improves night vision. They take a deep dive into the scie…
What makes honey crystallize?
#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 in this question.
References from this episode
How do things glow in the dark?
#198
In this special Halloween episode Melissa and Jam explore the spooky yet fascinating world of glow-in-the-dark chemistry. The discussion delves into nostalgic aspects of Halloween, focusing part…
Ask a Chemist: Why do self-tanners smell weird? (and other questions)
Question and Response 61
New College-Style Sweatshirt! And Spooky Chemistry Shirts Are Back!
In this episode of 'Chemistry for Your Life,' hosts Melissa and Jam address a variety of intriguing list…
How does spray tan stain our skin?
#196
New College-Style Sweatshirt! And Spooky Chemistry Shirts Are Back!
Melissa and Jam explore the fascinating chemistry behind self tanners. They take listeners on a journey from the discovery o…
What makes jalapeños spicy, and what other crazy properties do they have?
#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 it a flavor? Is it a feeling? Is it both? Is it m…
Why does ibuprofen take so long to work?
#196
Melissa and Jam delve into the science behind ibuprofen, exploring why it takes around 30 minutes to work. The discussion covers the chemistry of ibuprofen, includi…
Ask a Chemist: Does raw milk have more bacteria? (and other questions)
Question and Response #60
In this episode of 'Ask a Chemist' on the Chemistry for Your Life podcast, hosts Melissa and Jam tackle a diverse range of fun and fascinating …
How do pain killers relieve pain?
#195
In this episode of Chemistry For Your Life, hosts Melissa and Jam delve into the science behind ibuprofen, a common pain reliever. They discuss the role of prostagl…
Why do we use fluoride on our teeth?
#060
Chances are you've heard the word "fluoride" said in reference to your teeth. At the dentists office, on your bottle of mouthwash, maybe you've heard it's in tap water? But what is it, what's so…
What are dental fillings and how are they chemistry?
#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 a combination of organic monomers and inorganic …
Ask a Chemist: Reddit's Chemistry Questions Answered
Question and Response #59
Reddit's Chemistry Questions Answered In this episode of 'Chemistry for Your Life,' hosts Melissa and Jam dive into Reddit to answer chemistry-related questions. They explor…
What is up with RAW milk?
#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 pasteurized milk. They discuss the processes of pa…
What happens to eggs when we cook them? (with Jason Cress)
#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 white jiggle? This is a question we received long ag…
Bonus: Fun Fact or Fake Factoid?! A Chemistry and Trivia Showdown
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 verifying popular 'fun facts' submitted by their…
Ask a Neuroscientist: Why is Adderall addictive to SOME people and not others? (and other questions)
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 neuroscience, to discuss the inner workings of ant…
How do anti-depressants work? (featuring Claire Caballero)
#192
In this episode of 'Chemistry for Your Life,' hosts Melissa and Jam introduce special guest Claire Caballero, a pharmacology and neuroscience PhD student, to discuss how antidepressants work. Cl…
Vitamin C: Myths, Facts, and Daily Needs
#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 the recommended daily intake, its role in prevent…