Episode 26: Links
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This is our very first episode that I had to label "explicit." But we're going to talk about sex later, and we also have a bit a the end with a few mild swear words, so never fear, we're not going to get down and dirty, I just didn't want anyone to be shocked. We're thinking it's PG-13.
Is There Any Science Behind Acupuncture?
Listener question...
Why Sex is Good
In February, researchers at the University of Paisley in the UK, reported in the Journal of Biological Psychology that both men and women who had engaged in full-on sexual intercourse had a much lower increase in blood pressure when stressed than people who had engaged in any other type of sexual activity. So there you go...sex is good for keeping your blood pressure under control. (Of course it was a very small study, and there are probably lots of possible things they didn't consider, but it still seemed like a fun story.)
Scientists can even make sex sound boring: "These findings add to the research corpus on the benefits of PVI (differentiated from other sexual activities)."
Shout Out
Memory Tricks
Thanks to Jeremy in Sydney, Australia for writing in with a great mnemonic for remembering the names of the planets:
My Very Easy Method: Just Say 'Universe, Nine Planets'.
Mercury
Venus
Earth
Mars
Jupiter
Saturn
Uranus
Neptune
Pluto
But what about Sedna?? Oh Dear!
Sedna is the new 10th planet discovered in 2004 that lies even farther out than Pluto, named after the Inuit goddess of the ocean.
Song of the Week
Code Monkey, by the brilliant Jonathan Coulton.
This is our very first episode that I had to label "explicit." But we're going to talk about sex later, and we also have a bit a the end with a few mild swear words, so never fear, we're not going to get down and dirty, I just didn't want anyone to be shocked. We're thinking it's PG-13.
Is There Any Science Behind Acupuncture?
Listener question...
- Dealing with the placebo effect for something like acupuncture is a total pain, so it's been really hard to do good studies.
- Sham acupuncture versus placebo pill
- Acupuncture in random spots as good as traditional targets
- What about that NIH concensus statement?
- Other concensus statements say it's unknown whether acupuncture is effective or not, but that is is relatively safe.
- What are the dangers of acupuncture (and other forms of alternative medicine)? Not getting properly diagosed, and losing time with traditional medical care that has proven efficacy.
Why Sex is Good
In February, researchers at the University of Paisley in the UK, reported in the Journal of Biological Psychology that both men and women who had engaged in full-on sexual intercourse had a much lower increase in blood pressure when stressed than people who had engaged in any other type of sexual activity. So there you go...sex is good for keeping your blood pressure under control. (Of course it was a very small study, and there are probably lots of possible things they didn't consider, but it still seemed like a fun story.)
Scientists can even make sex sound boring: "These findings add to the research corpus on the benefits of PVI (differentiated from other sexual activities)."
Shout Out
- Big shout out to Jon who is our first listener from Kentucky. Welcome!
- Watch for us at Planet Retcon (but don't blink). Adam & Mignon both have bit voice parts in the upcoming Rendezvous episode!
Memory Tricks
Thanks to Jeremy in Sydney, Australia for writing in with a great mnemonic for remembering the names of the planets:
My Very Easy Method: Just Say 'Universe, Nine Planets'.
Mercury
Venus
Earth
Mars
Jupiter
Saturn
Uranus
Neptune
Pluto
But what about Sedna?? Oh Dear!
Sedna is the new 10th planet discovered in 2004 that lies even farther out than Pluto, named after the Inuit goddess of the ocean.
Song of the Week
Code Monkey, by the brilliant Jonathan Coulton.
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