Chemistry For Your Life

By: Melissa and Jam Bleav
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  • Summary

  • 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.
    © For Your Life 2023, All rights reserved.
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Episodes
  • Ask a Chemist: Why do carrots cause hiccups? (and other questions)

    Ask a Chemist: Why do carrots cause hiccups? (and other questions)
    Jan 16 2025

    Ask a Chemist #64

    In this bonus edition of 'Chemistry for Your Life,' hosts Melissa and Jam tackle intriguing questions from listeners. They delve into why some people hiccup when eating carrots, the fascinating uses of poinsettias in food packaging, the role of benzene as a carcinogen, and the controversies surrounding hydrogen-rich water bottles. Additionally, they explain how catalysts work and respond to various chemistry-related inquiries from their engaged audience.

    00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview
    01:10 Why Do People Hiccup When They Eat Carrots?
    06:18 The Dangers of Benzene in Dry Shampoo
    08:07 Understanding Catalysts in Chemical Reactions
    12:04 Debunking the Hydrogen Rich Water Cup
    20:26 Supercritical Water and Viewer Comments
    24:59 Poinsettias and pH Indicators
    26:42 Conclusion and Listener Acknowledgements

    Thanks to our monthly supporters

    • Julie S
    • Heather R
    • Autoclave
    • Chelsea M
    • Dorien V
    • Scott B
    • Jessie R
    • Ciara L
    • J0HNTR0Y
    • Jeannette N
    • Cullyn R
    • Erica B
    • Elizabeth P
    • Sarah M
    • Rachel R
    • Letila
    • Katrina B
    • Suzanne P
    • Venus R
    • Lyn S
    • Jacob T
    • Brian K
    • Emerson W
    • Kristina G
    • Timothy P
    • Steven B
    • Chris and Claire S
    • Chelsea B
    • Avishai B
    • Hunter R
    ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ ★ Buy Podcast Merch and Apparel ★

    Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com

    Watch our episodes on YouTube

    Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife
    Show More Show Less
    30 mins
  • Why does Benadryl make us sleepy?

    Why does Benadryl make us sleepy?
    Jan 9 2025

    #203

    In this episode, Jam recounts a humorous yet enlightening story of accidentally taking a dog-sized dose of Benadryl and the sleepy consequences that followed. Melissa, a chemist, dives deep into the chemistry of antihistamines, explaining the difference between first-generation (drowsy) and second-generation (non-drowsy) antihistamines. The episode covers the role of histamine in the body's allergic reactions and how different antihistamines interact with histamine receptors. Melissa elucidates the chemical structures of these medicines and how their polarity affects their ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, ultimately influencing whether they cause drowsiness.

    00:00 A Benadryl Mishap
    02:12 Understanding Antihistamines
    03:28 The Science Behind Benadryl
    04:55 How Antihistamines Work
    10:41 Non-Drowsy Antihistamines
    18:29 Personal Allergy Experiences
    27:52 Allergy Medication Preferences
    35:11 Supporting the Show

    Thanks to our monthly supporters

    • Julie S
    • Heather R
    • Autoclave
    • Chelsea M
    • Dorien V
    • Scott B
    • Jessie R
    • Ciara L
    • J0HNTR0Y
    • Jeannette N
    • Cullyn R
    • Erica B
    • Elizabeth P
    • Sarah M
    • Rachel R
    • Letila
    • Katrina B
    • Suzanne P
    • Venus R
    • Lyn S
    • Jacob T
    • Brian K
    • Emerson W
    • Kristina G
    • Timothy P
    • Steven B
    • Chris and Claire S
    • Chelsea B
    • Avishai B
    • Hunter R
    ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ ★ Buy Podcast Merch and Apparel ★

    Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com

    Watch our episodes on YouTube

    Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife
    Show More Show Less
    39 mins
  • Ask a Chemist: How can fire have different colors? (and other questions)

    Ask a Chemist: How can fire have different colors? (and other questions)
    Jan 2 2025

    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 chemistry and addressing listener questions. They discuss managing discussions on the dark side of chemistry, why certain chemicals emit characteristic colors in the flame test, and share personal experiences regarding the toughest classes in their educational journeys. The episode also features listener interactions about nostalgic glow-in-the-dark items and anecdotes about the complexities and joys of studying and practicing chemistry. Join them for an engaging exploration of the ethical dimensions of chemistry and the field's fascinating nuances.

    00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview
    01:15 Addressing the Ethics of Chemistry
    07:29 Fun Chemistry Questions
    09:03 Personal Stories and Hardest Classes
    18:39 Nostalgic Glow-in-the-Dark Items
    21:54 Community Engagement and Closing Remarks

    Thanks to our monthly supporters

    • Julie S
    • Heather R
    • Autoclave
    • Chelsea M
    • Dorien V
    • Scott B
    • Jessie R
    • Ciara L
    • J0HNTR0Y
    • Jeannette N
    • Cullyn R
    • Erica B
    • Elizabeth P
    • Sarah M
    • Rachel R
    • Letila
    • Katrina B
    • Suzanne P
    • Venus R
    • Lyn S
    • Jacob T
    • Brian K
    • Emerson W
    • Kristina G
    • Timothy P
    • Steven B
    • Chris and Claire S
    • Chelsea B
    • Avishai B
    • Hunter R
    ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ ★ Buy Podcast Merch and Apparel ★

    Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com

    Watch our episodes on YouTube

    Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife
    Show More Show Less
    25 mins

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Profile Image for matthew

Great at explaining

I'm dumb and even I can understand this.
I recently started a journey of learning. I have no experience of chemistry at all and I'm slowly picking up the jargon and lingo in a bite size easy to understand way. This lady is amazing at what she does on this pod cast. I'd like to give her and her little team a big thank you.

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