Dope Labs

 It’s spooky season and the Dope Labs crew LOVES a good horror film. From Rosemary’s Baby to Get Out, horror movies have always reflected the fears and tensions of their time. This week, Titi and Zakiya dig into the art, psychology, and sociology of horror with Dr. Eleanor Johnson, a professor at Columbia University and author of Scream With Me. Together, they unpack how films like The Exorcist, Alien, and The Shining reveal cultural anxieties around feminism, bodily autonomy, and power—and why today’s horror feels more urgent than ever. You can purchase her book Scream With Me here: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Scream-with-Me/Eleanor-Johnson/9781668087633  Keep up with Dr. Johnson’s latest essays on horror and culture at her substack Eleanorshorrors.aubstack.com Dope Labs is where science meets pop culture. Because science is in everything and it’s for everybody. Stay up to date with Dope Labs, Titi, and Zakiya on Instagram and at DopeLabsPodcast.com Jo

Jumping to conclusions, letting stories override statistics, and getting swept up in the crowd—turns out, we’re all wired for it. Titi and Zakiya explore how evolutionary psychology and group identity shape the way we process information, especially in our fast-paced digital world. From the spread of misinformation about Tylenol to viral rapture predictions, the hosts share relatable moments and surprising examples to illuminate why bias is so tough to beat.  ✨ Want to be part of our upcoming planetarium film, Remixed: The Unexpected Side of Science? We’d love for our Dope Labs community to join in! Find all the details and your chance to participate here - https://bit.ly/3VVkVa1 Previous Labs Mentioned: Lab 037 - In Denial Lab 038 - So Anxious Lab 076 - Monkeypox: Fact vs Fiction Lab 082 - In Your Feed: Social Media Lab 112 - Addiction: A Chronic Condition Dope Labs is where science meets pop culture. Because science is in everything and it’s for everybody. Stay up to date with D

We’ve been told addiction is about bad choices or weak willpower. But the science says otherwise. Addiction is a chronic brain condition that rewires circuits for reward, stress, and self-control. In this lab, Titi and Zakiya talk to Dr. Nzinga Harrison about what’s really happening in the brain when tolerance builds, cravings hit, and dependence takes hold. They also dig into how stigma and bias shape who gets treatment and who gets punished. Tune in to learn about the biology, myths, and the path towards recovery. Dope Labs is where science meets pop culture. Because science is in everything and it’s for everybody. Stay up to date with Dope Labs, Titi, and Zakiya on Instagram and at DopeLabsPodcast.com Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium.  Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors To follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadame

Periods are more than just cramps and cravings. This week, Titi and Zakiya are joined by research psychologist and author of “Period Brain” Dr. Sarah Hill to break down what’s really going on in our brains and bodies throughout the menstrual cycle. They unpack the science behind hormonal shifts, why estrogen and progesterone are doing way more than we think, and how the medical field has ignored these complexities for too long. From PMS to PMDD, from stigma to science, this episode dives into how periods impact energy, mood, relationships—and how understanding your own cycle can change everything. Whether you have a period or love someone who does, this one’s for you. Dope Labs is where science meets pop culture. Because science is in everything and it’s for everybody. Stay up to date with Dope Labs, Titi, and Zakiya on Instagram and at DopeLabsPodcast.com Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium.  Click thi

Why do some aches fade fast while others take over your life? This week we crack open the neuroscience of pain—how the brain goes from “incident” to “ouch,” why chronic pain is different from acute pain, and how memory, mood, and expectation shape what we feel.  Guest expert Lindsay Ejoh (Neuro_Melody) walks us throughthe brain’s natural opioid system, the power (and limits) of mindfulness/placebo, and what common meds like ibuprofen actually do. Come for the science, stay for the empathy, fresh takes on headaches, tender-headed braids, phantom limbs, and more. Dope Labs is where science meets pop culture. Because science is in everything and it’s for everybody. Stay up to date with Dope Labs, Titi, and Zakiya on Instagram and at DopeLabsPodcast.com Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium.  Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lem

This week Titi and Zakiya let the conversation flow as they catch up on the latest news, from shifting vaccine guidelines to the rise of the “Great Lock-In” trend. They discuss the latest research on the importance of sleep, the dangers of digital scams, and why your favorite oysters might be off the menu.  Federal vaccine policies from NPR The Great Lock In on TikTok Sleep-dependent growth hormone release Insomnia & Cognitive Outcomes Dope Labs is where science meets pop culture. Because science is in everything and it’s for everybody. Stay up to date with Dope Labs, Titi, and Zakiya on Instagram and at DopeLabsPodcast.com Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium.  Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors To follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadamedia.com/show/ shortly after the air.See omnystudio.com/listener for priva

It's back to school season, so homecoming is around the corner. In this episode we are throwing back to our episode about Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) with special guest Xavier Jernigan! In this episode, Titi and Zakiya talk with X about community, mentorship, Homecoming, and what makes the HBCU experience so special. Dope Labs is where science meets pop culture. Because science is in everything and it’s for everybody. Stay up to date with Dope Labs, Titi, and Zakiya on Instagram and at DopeLabsPodcast.com Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium.  Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors To follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadamedia.com/show/ shortly after the air.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The fall sniffles are back, COVID cases are climbing, mysterious one-day colds are making the rounds, and everyone’s talking about “boosting immunity.” But what does that actually mean? In this lab, Titi and Zakiya break down how the immune system really works, bust some common myths, and explore what science says (and doesn’t say) about keeping it strong. Dope Labs is where science meets pop culture. Because science is in everything and it’s for everybody. Stay up to date with Dope Labs, Titi, and Zakiya on Instagram and at DopeLabsPodcast.com Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium.  Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors To follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadamedia.com/show/ shortly after the air.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are all picky eaters the same? Not quite. In this lab, Titi and Zakiya dig into Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), a serious and often misunderstood eating disorder. Joined by Dr. Jessica Bodie, they unpack what ARFID actually is, how it’s different from classic “picky eating,” and why identifying it can be life-changing for families. You’ll learn how to spot red flags, what treatment really looks like, and why social media is playing a huge role in raising awareness and empathy for those who struggle.  Dope Labs is where science meets pop culture. Because science is in everything and it’s for everybody. Stay up to date with Dope Labs, Titi, and Zakiya on Instagram and at DopeLabsPodcast.com Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium.  Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors To follow along with a transcri

Maps aren’t neutral. From redlining and colonial borders to Texas redistricting and ICE checkpoints, lines on a map are decisions—about who gets power, who gets protection, and who gets pushed out. In this episode, Zakiya and Titi  talk with Dr. Joshua Inwood, a professor of geography and African American studies at Penn State, about the racial politics of cartography. They trace the history of mapmaking, explore The Green Book as a form of resistance, and unpack how today’s fights—like the border crackdown and redistricting battles in Texas—are part of a long tradition of drawing lines to control people. Instagram post showing the true size of countries: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DLsFqaPRj8a/?igsh=MWhncGs3ZnhndGE5eA==  Slavers of NY Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/slaversofny?igsh=MWI3Y2lpeHJyb2VsbA== The Folded Map Project:  https://www.foldedmapproject.com/ The Living Black Atlas: https://derekalderman.com/the-living-black-atlas/  See omnystu

Titi and Zakiya reminisce about how Dope Labs came to be and talk to some of their favorite science communicators on social media. Raven the Science Maven, Lindsay Ejoh, and Dr. Andre Issacs share how they each used their platforms to bring science to the world.  Dope Labs is where science meets pop culture. Because science is in everything and it’s for everybody. Stay up to date with Dope Labs, Titi, and Zakiya on Instagram and at DopeLabsPodcast.com Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium.  Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors To follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadamedia.com/show/ shortly after the air.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Flash floods swamp Texas, Canadian wildfires choke the Midwest, Trump’s swollen ankles launch “Ankle-Gate,” and the UN warns 295 million people face acute food shortages. Titi and Zakiya unpack the science behind each headline — plus real-life tips to stay safe and informed. Floodplain by Tapí Story Links to support Gaza - This link provides several organizations and families in Gaza that you can support  Dope Labs is where science meets pop culture. Because science is in everything and it’s for everybody. Stay up to date with Dope Labs, Titi, and Zakiya on Instagram and at DopeLabsPodcast.com Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium.  Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors To follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadamedia.com/show/ shortly after the air. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informa

Why do some sounds feel like a personal attack while others just fade into the background? In this episode, Titi and Zakiya dive into the science of noise with journalist Chris Berdik, author of Clamor: How Noise Took Over the World and How We Can Take It Back. They explore how noise impacts your sleep, stress, heart, and focus—even when you think you’re tuning it out. From the sonic fallout of gentrification to rogue scientists chasing deadly soundwaves, we’re unpacking the cultural, biological, and political power of noise. Spoiler: silence isn’t always the goal. Dope Labs is where science meets pop culture. Because science is in everything and it’s for everybody. Stay up to date with Dope Labs, Titi, and Zakiya on Instagram and at DopeLabsPodcast.com Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium.  Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.co

 Overwhelmed by the explosion of new AI tools? Titi and Zakiya team up with creative tech expert Lauren deVane (a.k.a. the “AI Auntie”) to cut through the noise. They decode the most game-changing tools on the market, talk cognitive debt (are our brains getting lazier?), and ask what it means to stay creative in the age of ChatGPT, Gemini, NotebookLM, and more. Plus, learn how one wild AI turned scribbles into a whole podcast. Want to check out the AI tools we mentioned in this episode? Check out the notes for this lab. Dope Labs is where science meets pop culture. Because science is in everything and it’s for everybody. Stay up to date with Dope Labs, Titi, and Zakiya on Instagram and at DopeLabsPodcast.com Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium.  Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors To follow along with a transcript, go to l

From your morning Lion’s Mane latte to zombie ants in The Last of Us—fungi are having a moment. In this episode of Dope Labs, Titi and Zakiya dig deep into the world of mushrooms with park ranger, data scientist, and mycology educator Darling Ngoh. They explore the underground networks keeping forests alive, the science behind cordyceps, and whether mushroom supplements are legit or just really good marketing.  Dope Labs is where science meets pop culture. Because science is in everything and it’s for everybody. Stay up to date with Dope Labs, Titi, and Zakiya on Instagram and at DopeLabsPodcast.com Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium.  Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors To follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadamedia.com/show/ shortly after the air See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Zakiya and Titi chat with Dr. Cicely Shillingford from Amika to break down the real science behind hair care. From personal hair wins (and fails) to the latest product innovations, they’re getting to the root of what it means to have “healthy hair.”  What’s discussed: What’s actually happening on your scalp and with your hair at a microscopic level  The truth about popular ingredients and buzzwords (sulfate-free, ceramides, dry shampoo & more)  Cool new trends in hair care, like sustainable ingredients and innovative hair tech Dope Labs is where science meets pop culture. Because science is in everything and it’s for everybody. Stay up to date with Dope Labs, Titi, and Zakiya on Instagram and at DopeLabsPodcast.com Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium.  Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors T

We’re in the middle of the summer celebration season. Whether it is Juneteenth, the 4th of July, or your family’s annual reunion, there are some elements of celebrating that never change. We pulled an oldie but a goodie - Lab 035: The Science of Celebration. This episode is a rerun, but the science is still fresh. Make sure to tag us in your photos @dopelabspodcast to show us how you celebrate! Stay up to date with Dope Labs, Titi, and Zakiya on Instagram and at DopeLabsPodcast.com Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium.  Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors To follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadamedia.com/show/ shortly after the air date.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

America has a problem! Beyoncé called it, and the data backs her up: more than 36 million older adults fall each year, often ending up in hospitals or nursing homes. MIT mechanical-engineering PhD student Roberto Bolli joins Dope Labs to unveil E-BAR, a compact robot that glides behind you, senses a stumble, then inflates airbags in just 250 milliseconds and lifts you with padded U-shaped arms. Titi and Zakiya dig into everything from real-world interviews to load-bearing math. They show how tech like E-BAR can help seniors age in place while complementing human caregivers. Dope Labs is where science meets pop culture. Because science is in everything and it’s for everybody. Stay up to date with Dope Labs, Titi, and Zakiya on Instagram and at DopeLabsPodcast.com Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium.  Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponso

Harvard’s international students on the chopping block, NIH and CDC budgets slashed nearly in half, and entire datasets vanishing overnight. If it feels like a whirlwind, thats because it’s by design. This week Titi and Zakiya sit down with Dr. Chelsea Clinton to map the real-world fallout when science funding and student visas become political pawns. From the looming shortage of 86,000 physicians to foreign governments dangling big money to lure U.S. researchers abroad, we unpack why these moves threaten innovation, public health, and even your pet’s food safety. But it’s not all doomscrolling: we break down practical ways communities can push back, protect local research, and keep facts louder than the chaos.  Dope Labs is where science meets pop culture. Because science is in everything and it’s for everybody. Stay up to date with Dope Labs, Titi, and Zakiya on Instagram and at DopeLabsPodcast.com Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show. Subscribe toda

When Ryan Coogler’s blockbuster Sinners smashed the box office, Titi and Zakiya grabbed their popcorn and their microscopes. In this lab, they plunge into the film’s layered world with digital-storytelling scholar Dr. Imani Cheers, unpacking how four film formats, IMAX sound, and meticulous lighting turn a vampire tale into cinematic excellence that will stand the test of time . If you are looking for a way for a young person in your life to grow their communication skills look no further! SciComm Summer Camp is a 4-week online program where students learn to: Build and tell science-based stories Record interviews and podcasts Edit audio with beginner-friendly tools Create a final project they can share and be proud of Session 1 begins June 17 Session 2 begins July 22 Scholarships are available! Dope Labs is where science meets pop culture. Because science is in everything and it’s for everybody. Stay up to date with Dope Labs, Titi, and Zakiya on Instagram and at DopeLabsPodcast.com Joini