Unhealthy Curiosity

Dr Sarah Holper
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Life Sciences
  • Updated Weekly

Neurologist Dr Sarah Holper explores the human body's strangest features, flaws, and quirks. Using medicine, biology, history, and curious case studies, she explains why our bodies behave the way they do. From sweating blood to voice transplants, each episode examines a curious corner of human anatomy.

  1. 2 days ago

    So You Think You Want a Six-Pack?

    If you thought doing sit-ups would give you a six-pack, think again. This episode explores the gruelling reality of competitive bodybuilding, and how a 19th century circus strongman used a tape measure, Greek statues, and a little mathematics to define the ‘perfect’ physique. (Do you measure up?)

    13 min

  2. 14 June

    How Long Can You Go Without Sleep?

    In one experiment, a man who didn't sleep for a week ended up sobbing about an imaginary gorilla. This episode explores what science has uncovered about the effects of sleep deprivation, from hallucinations to frank psychosis – and whether the brain recovers afterwards.

    13 min

  3. 8 June

    The Doctor Who Invented Corn Flakes

    The inventor of Corn Flakes believed cinnamon was morally suspicious and flavour was a threat to virtue. This episode explores the strange story of John Harvey Kellogg, his wellness empire, his obsession with chewing, vibrating chairs for constipation, and why evolution made flavour far too appealing for his crusade to succeed.

    13 min

  4. 31 May

    When Flight Attendants Started Sweating Blood

    In 1980, flight attendants began apparently sweating blood on flights between New York and Florida. The CDC investigated. The explanation was not what anyone expected. Also featuring blue sweat, pink sweat, and the only diagnostic dilemma ever solved by a dermatologist ringing a snack-food manufacturer.

    13 min

  5. 24 May

    Why Do We Itch? The Itchy and Scratchy Show

    This episode explores the biology of itching. Including NASA’s emergency Velcro patches, exploding lice in World War I trenches, contagious scratching, "amphetamites", mosquito mouth-javelins, and the imaginary insects produced by the human brain itself.

    13 min

  6. 17 May

    What Does Your Urine Say About You?

    This episode explores what urine can reveal about you — from pregnancy and diabetes to drugs, disease, and genetic disorders. Including ancient Egyptian pregnancy tests, beetroot-induced panic, blue urine pranks, and why IKEA once asked women to wee on their catalogue.

    12 min

  7. 10 May

    The Strange Science of Sneezing

    This episode examines the odd biology and even odder rituals surrounding sneezing. Including sunlight sneezes, chocolate sneezes, and why on earth we feel compelled to bless them.

    16 min

  8. 3 May

    Doctor, Or Piss Prophet? The History of Uroscopy

    For thousands of years, doctors believed urine revealed the hidden workings of the body. By peering at a patient’s wee, they diagnosed everything from epilepsy to death — sometimes without even meeting the patient. This episode explores the strange history of uroscopy, the rise of the “piss prophets”, and why modern doctors still occasionally ask you for a wee sample today.

    13 min
See All (25)

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Neurologist Dr Sarah Holper explores the human body's strangest features, flaws, and quirks. Using medicine, biology, history, and curious case studies, she explains why our bodies behave the way they do. From sweating blood to voice transplants, each episode examines a curious corner of human anatomy.

Information

  • Creator
    Dr Sarah Holper
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    25
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Dr Sarah Holper
  • Show Website
    Unhealthy Curiosity

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