Episodios

  • How do odor absorbers work?
    Oct 2 2025

    #072 Rebroadcast

    You know what they say, everyone's experienced odors, and 99.99% of all odors smell. We have room sprays, candles, air fresheners, etc. But how can we absorb or eliminate bad smells? Can chemistry do it? How? Let's find out!

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    References from this episode

    1. https://www.acs.org/content/dam/acsorg/education/outreach/celebrating-chemistry/2016-cced-celebrating-chemistry-english.pdf
    2. Structure-Scavenging Abilities of Cyclodextrin-Based Polyurethanes by Sandra K. Young, Peter L. Vajda, Eugene Napadensky, Dawn M. Crawford, James M. Sloan, and Samuel F. Trevino
    3. ACS - reactions https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNIIxzR-d_Q&feature=youtu.be
    4. https://helix.northwestern.edu/blog/2015/06/take-whiff-chemistry#:~:text=Febreze%2C%20along%20with%20many%20other,cyclodextrin%20(%CE%B2%2Dcyclodextrin).&text=The%20cyclodextrin%20molecule%20can%20be,oily%E2%80%9D%20and%20immiscible%20with%20water

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    34 m
  • Are your lips being tricked by chapstick?
    Sep 25 2025
    Melissa and Jam delve into the science behind lip balm, investigating whether products like Chapstick and Burt's Bees are beneficial or if they could be causing more harm. They explore the ingredients commonly found in these products, discuss what to avoid for chapped lips, and share dermatologist-recommended alternatives for effective lip care. 00:00 Introduction to the Lip Balm Scam 00:44 Meet the Hosts and Podcast Introduction 01:37 Community Shoutout and Announcements 04:07 The Chapstick Scam Inquiry 08:17 Understanding Chapped Lips 09:50 Ingredients in Lip Balms 16:42 Burt's Bees and Other Lip Balm Brands 23:31 The Irritation Dilemma 23:49 Ingredients to Look For 24:23 Chapstick vs. Burt's Bees 26:31 Petroleum Jelly Insights 29:36 Dermatologist Recommendations 32:01 Personal Lip Care Tips 38:14 Cosmetic Preferences and Hair Care 43:57 Supporting the Show ★ 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 References from this episode: https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetic-ingredients/allergens-cosmetics#commonhttps://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-basics/dry/heal-dry-chapped-lipshttps://www.burtsbees.com/product/beeswax-lip-balm/ (in the stick form) https://www.burtsbees.com/product/moisturizing-retro-lip-balm-tin/#792850651531-Beeswax (in the tin form) https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3120007/ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8060673/ https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/sds/sial/p5566?srsltid=AfmBOorfW5-Pot-l-yKCmfHp7Nco5xawnc8sXApICL2UfdR-Q6h9wQYb https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/sds/aldrich/w266507?userType=undefined https://www.fishersci.com/store/msds?partNumber=AC119111000&countryCode=US&language=enhttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34561893/https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3120007/https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/15569527.2023.2275022https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/521353_5?form=fpfhttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27090066/https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ics.12583https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/cod.13131https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/15569527.2023.2275022https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6064031/https://www.chapstick.com/products/chapstick-classic-lip-moisturizer Thanks to our monthly supporters Emily MorrisonKyle McCrayEmily HardyAshVince WJulie S.Heather RagusaAutoclaveChelsea MorelosDorien VDScott BeyerJessie RederCiara LinvilleJ0HNTR0YJeannette NapoleonCullyn RErica BeeElizabeth PRachel ReinaLetilaKatrina Barnum-HuckinsSuzanne PhillipsVenus RebholzLyn StubblefieldJacob TaberBrian KimballKristina GotfredsenTimothy ParkerSteven BoylesChris SkupienChelsea BAvishai BarnoyHunter Reardon ★ 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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    49 m
  • Ask a Chemist: Why is glass clear? (and other questions)
    Sep 18 2025

    Melissa and Jam tackle a range of fascinating chemistry questions from their audience in this episode of 'Chemistry For Your Life'. They discuss why glass is transparent, how some foods make our mouth feel hot or cold, and the science behind decaffeinating coffee. Along the way, they share insights about their popular 'ghost holding an Erlenmeyer Flask' merch and highlight the importance of ad placements and community support for the podcast. Tune in to learn all about the chemistry behind these everyday phenomena!

    00:00 Introduction and Overview
    00:11 Chemistry Questions and Topics
    01:27 Merchandise and Halloween Special
    03:05 Community Questions and Answers
    03:42 Glass Transparency Explained
    04:50 Chemistry in Everyday Life
    06:56 Spicy and Cool Sensations
    09:38 Moisturizers and Healing Ointments
    16:19 Understanding Poisons
    17:29 Understanding Defense Systems and Poison Dosage
    18:32 The Fascinating Effects of Poisons
    20:19 Decaffeination Methods Explained
    22:43 Exploring Hot Tub Chemicals and pH Indicators
    27:33 Addressing Ad Placement Feedback
    32:59 Supporting the Podcast and Community

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    References from this episode:

    1. https://courses.ems.psu.edu/matse81/node/2154

    Thanks to our monthly supporters

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    38 m
  • Does lotion really hydrate dry skin?
    Sep 11 2025

    Melissa and Jam discuss the science behind moisturizers and how they help with dry skin. The conversation covers the role of occlusives like petroleum jelly, humectants such as glycerin, and emollients in skincare. They also explore the importance of staying hydrated and the effect of environmental factors on skin moisture. Listeners can learn about the distinct mechanisms that moisturizers use to keep skin hydrated and healthy.

    00:00 Introduction and Personal Experiences with Dry Skin
    01:23 Understanding Moisturizers: What Do They Really Do?
    01:56 Welcome to Chemistry for Your Life
    02:07 Shoutout to Our Newest Community Member
    03:37 Transitioning from Summer to Winter: The Importance of Moisturizers
    04:27 The Science Behind Moisturizers: Intermolecular Forces
    08:20 How Moisturizers Work: Trapping Moisture and Skin Oils
    11:23 The Role of Water and Oils in Skin Hydration
    21:22 Understanding Humectants
    23:06 The Role of Occlusives in Skincare
    24:03 Exploring Emollients
    26:34 The Importance of Moisturizing
    27:14 Chemistry Behind Moisturizers
    28:50 Personal Experiences and Tips
    44:41 Final Thoughts and Community Shoutouts

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    References from this episode:

    1. https://www.compoundchem.com/2015/07/21/moisturisers/
    2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29319217/
    3. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/jocd.12490#accessDenialLayout
    4. https://illumin.usc.edu/the-chemistry-behind-moisturizers/
    5. https://research-ebsco-com.libproxy.library.unt.edu/c/id67n2/viewer/pdf/2oe2i2o6qn?route=details
    6. https://www.acs.org/pressroom/reactions/library/moisturizer.html

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    48 m
  • What are shooting stars?
    Sep 4 2025

    Melissa and Jam explore the science behind shooting stars, unraveling the chemistry that turns space rocks into brilliant streaks of light in our night sky. They discuss how meteors heat up and glow as they enter Earth’s atmosphere, the difference between meteors, meteoroids, and meteorites, and share fun facts about colorful meteors and the surprising role of amino acids from space. The episode is filled with personal stories, space trivia, and thoughtful tangents about the ethics of asteroid mining and the wonder of the universe.

    00:00 Stargazing and Summer Memories
    03:20 Meet the Hosts
    05:00 Chemistry for Your Life Merch
    07:00 Camping Stories & Inspiration
    10:00 Chemistry of Gases and Atmosphere
    13:00 What Are Shooting Stars?
    18:00 The Science of Meteor Glow
    23:00 Fun Facts: Colors, Metals, and Amino Acids
    30:00 Asteroid Mining & Space Ethics
    36:00 Favorite Space Stories
    43:00 Listener Shoutouts & Support
    47:00 Final Thoughts & Wrap-Up

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    References from this episode:

    Thanks to our monthly supporters

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    48 m
  • How do glowsticks glow?
    Aug 28 2025

    #067 Rebroadcast (Originally Aired October 2020)

    Guess what time of year it is. It's spooky time! One thing we see a lot of during this time of year, is things that glow. And you better believe that's chemistry. So how do glowsticks glow? How does bending the glowsticks start that process? What's mixing with what, and seriously how the heck does it glow? Let's find out.

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    References from this episode

    1. Organic Chemistry, Solomons 11e
    2. Quantitative Chemical Analysis, Daniel C. Harris
    3. Simple Glowmatography: Chromatographic Separation of GlowStick Dyes Using Chalk - Thomas S. Kuntzleman,* Kasey R. Bunker, and Ashlee A. Bartlett
    4. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/fluorescence
    5. https://ocw.mit.edu/high-school/chemistry/demonstrations/videos/anatomy-of-a-glowstick/glowstick.pdf
    6. Glowmatography - Thomas S. Kuntzleman,* Anna E. Comfort, and Bruce W. Baldwin

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    34 m
  • What makes fireflies glow?
    Aug 21 2025

    Melissa and Jam delve into the fascinating chemistry behind fireflies' bioluminescence. They explore how fireflies produce light through a complex series of chemical reactions involving specific molecules like luciferin and enzymes like luciferase. The discussion extends to how these mechanisms find applications in scientific research, such as identifying tumors in mice. The episode is interspersed with nostalgic summer stories, making it a blend of chemistry education and personal anecdotes.

    00:00 Nostalgic Summer Evenings
    00:33 Fireflies and Childhood Wonder
    01:04 Introduction to Firefly Chemistry
    02:22 Shoutout to Ash and Podcast Tips
    03:58 Diving into Bioluminescence
    04:52 The Chemistry Behind Firefly Light
    11:17 Understanding Acid-Base Reactions
    16:13 The Role of Luciferase
    18:43 The Unstable Four-Membered Ring
    28:39 Understanding Molecular Structures
    29:33 The Instability of Molecular Rings
    33:39 Fireflies and Bioluminescence
    40:53 Applications in Medical Science
    45:37 Nostalgic Summer Memories
    52:48 Supporting the Show and Final Thoughts

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    References from this episode:

    1. https://www.chemistryworld.com/podcasts/luciferin/3005839.article
    2. https://www.science.org/content/article/watch-chemistry-behind-how-fireflies-glow
    3. https://journals.aps.org/prl/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevLett.113.258103
    4. https://youtu.be/pTPMwZK2-yM
    5. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/jacs.5b03820
    6. https://pubs-acs-org.libproxy.library.unt.edu/doi/10.1021/jp301910p
    7. https://chemistry-europe-onlinelibrary-wiley-com.libproxy.library.unt.edu/doi/10.1002/cphc.201300330
    8. https://chemistry-europe-onlinelibrary-wiley-com.libproxy.library.unt.edu/doi/10.1002/cphc.201200195
    9. https://iubmb-onlinelibrary-wiley-com.libproxy.library.unt.edu/doi/10.1002/iub.134
    10. https://chemistry-europe-onlinelibrary-wiley-com.libproxy.library.unt.edu/doi/10.1002/cbic.200500443
    11. https://www.chemistryworld.com/news/rainbow-makers/3003381.article
    12. https://www.acs.org/molecule-of-the-week/archive/f/firefly-luciferin.html

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    57 m
  • Ask a Chemist: What would be worse, drinking bleach or gasoline? (and other questions)
    Aug 14 2025

    Melissa and Jam dive into a variety of listener-submitted questions. They discuss the science behind fluffy shave ice versus mainland shaved ice, the effectiveness and safety of ozone treatments for smoke smells, and the potential impact of glyphosate on human health. They also explore the chemistry of everyday items like rinse aid in dishwashers, different types of soap, and even hypothetical scenarios involving bleach and gasoline. Melissa provides insights based on her knowledge as a chemist, offering a fascinating look into the chemistry of our everyday life.

    00:00 Introduction and Listener Questions
    00:29 Chemistry of Shave Ice
    06:58 Ozone Treatment for Cigarette Smell
    12:15 Glyphosate and Its Effects
    21:32 Rinse Aid in Dishwashers
    24:02 Concerns About Rinse Safety
    24:24 Exploring Cleaning Products
    26:26 Differences in Soaps and Shampoos
    27:27 Chemistry of Hair and Skin Products
    32:59 Hypothetical: Bleach vs. Gasoline
    37:17 Listener Shoutouts and Anniversary
    42:27 Chemistry of Erasable and Invisible Inks
    45:22 Supporting the Podcast

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    49 m