Short Wave

By: NPR
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  • Summary

  • New discoveries, everyday mysteries, and the science behind the headlines — in just under 15 minutes. It's science for everyone, using a lot of creativity and a little humor. Join hosts Emily Kwong and Regina Barber for science on a different wavelength.

    If you're hooked, try Short Wave Plus. Your subscription supports the show and unlocks a sponsor-free feed. Learn more at plus.npr.org/shortwave
    Copyright 2019-2021 NPR - For Personal Use Only
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Astronomy Astronomy & Space Science Biological Sciences Politics & Government Science
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Episodes
  • What If You Took The "Trip" Out Of Ketamine?

    What If You Took The "Trip" Out Of Ketamine?
    Apr 8 2025
    What if you could get all the potential benefits of ketamine without the "trip"? For part two of our series on psychedelics, we look at how some researchers are trying to disentangle the "trip" from the drugs' effects on the brain — and why the answer could help direct the future of psychedelic research. (Spoiler alert: People generally know if they're tripping or not.) This episode: a researcher navigating this challenge by putting his patients to sleep.

    Catch the rest of this series on psychedelics and related drugs this week by following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

    Have other questions about psychedelics and the brain? Let us know by emailing     shortwave@npr.org!

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    12 mins
  • Why The Trip Complicates Psychedelic Research

    Why The Trip Complicates Psychedelic Research
    Apr 7 2025
    Researchers are studying psychedelics as a possible treatment for conditions like depression, PTSD and substance use disorders. But they don't know exactly how these drugs work.

    Getting the answer to this question is especially difficult when people often take psychedelics like LSD and psilocybin for the "trip."

    This week on Short Wave, we're talking to researchers about how they're trying to untangle the effects of this "trip" from the ways psychedelics might change the human brain ... and why the answer could help direct the future of psychedelic research.

    Catch the rest of this series on psychedelics and related drugs this week by following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

    Have other questions about psychedelics and the brain? Let us know by emailing     shortwave@npr.org!

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    12 mins
  • Could Running Change Your Brain?

    Could Running Change Your Brain?
    Apr 4 2025
    Running an entire marathon takes a lot of energy. Neuroscientist Carlos Matute knows this: he's run 18 of them. He wondered how runners' bodies get the energy they need to make it to the finish line.

    His new research in the journal Nature Metabolism may be the first step in answering the question – and suggests their brains might be (temporarily) depleting a fatty substance that coats nerve cells called myelin.

    Have other questions about the brain? Let us know by emailing shortwave@npr.org!

    Listen to every episode of Short Wave sponsor-free and support our work at NPR by signing up for Short Wave+ at     plus.npr.org/shortwave.

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    8 mins

Featured Article: Go Beyond the Lab with the Best Science Podcasts for Curious Listeners


Our picks for the best science podcasts run the gamut from general scientific trivia to earth science, outer space, food, plants, the human body, and much more. They're all accessible—any listener can learn about scientific history, breaking science news, and visions for the future from these shows, which often feature interviews with a variety of interesting experts who provide valuable insight, perspective, context, and clarity.

Featured Article Go Beyond the Lab with the Best Science Podcasts for Curious Listeners

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So Special

First time I am listening and definitely won’t be the last. This podcast is a gem not to be missed. Thanks for the creativity!

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