[Music]
[Music] [Applause]
did you know that one of the first
did you know that one of the first fertility drugs was made from the pee of
fertility drugs was made from the pee of
fertility drugs was made from the pee of Catholic nuns and that even the Pope got
Catholic nuns and that even the Pope got
Catholic nuns and that even the Pope got involved so this is totally true back in
involved so this is totally true back in
involved so this is totally true back in the 1950s scientists knew that when
the 1950s scientists knew that when
the 1950s scientists knew that when women enter menopause they start
women enter menopause they start
women enter menopause they start releasing high levels of fertility
releasing high levels of fertility
releasing high levels of fertility hormones in their urine but there was
hormones in their urine but there was
hormones in their urine but there was this doctor named Bruno Lunan Feld who
this doctor named Bruno Lunan Feld who
this doctor named Bruno Lunan Feld who wondered if he could actually isolate
wondered if he could actually isolate
wondered if he could actually isolate those hormones from the urine and use it
those hormones from the urine and use it
those hormones from the urine and use it to help women who are having trouble
to help women who are having trouble
to help women who are having trouble getting pregnant obviously the problem
getting pregnant obviously the problem
getting pregnant obviously the problem with this was that in order to test this
with this was that in order to test this
with this was that in order to test this idea he needed a lot of pee from older
idea he needed a lot of pee from older
idea he needed a lot of pee from older women and that is not an easy thing to
women and that is not an easy thing to
women and that is not an easy thing to find so he and his colleagues got
find so he and his colleagues got
find so he and his colleagues got special permission from the Pope to
special permission from the Pope to
special permission from the Pope to collect gallons and gallons of urine
collect gallons and gallons of urine
collect gallons and gallons of urine from hundreds of older Catholic nuns and
from hundreds of older Catholic nuns and
from hundreds of older Catholic nuns and in doing so he actually isolated
in doing so he actually isolated
in doing so he actually isolated hormones that are still used to help
hormones that are still used to help
hormones that are still used to help women get pregnant today though now they
women get pregnant today though now they
women get pregnant today though now they can be synthesized in a lab and gallons
can be synthesized in a lab and gallons
can be synthesized in a lab and gallons of pee aren’t necessary so why am i
of pee aren’t necessary so why am i
of pee aren’t necessary so why am i standing up here telling this
standing up here telling this
standing up here telling this wonderfully intellectual audience about
wonderfully intellectual audience about
wonderfully intellectual audience about nun pee well I’m a science journalist
nun pee well I’m a science journalist
nun pee well I’m a science journalist and multimedia producer who has always
and multimedia producer who has always
and multimedia producer who has always been fascinated by gross stuff so
been fascinated by gross stuff so
been fascinated by gross stuff so fascinated in fact that I started a
fascinated in fact that I started a
fascinated in fact that I started a weekly YouTube series called gross
weekly YouTube series called gross
weekly YouTube series called gross science all about the slimy smelly
science all about the slimy smelly
science all about the slimy smelly creepy underbelly of nature medicine and
creepy underbelly of nature medicine and
creepy underbelly of nature medicine and technology now I think most of us would
technology now I think most of us would
technology now I think most of us would agree that there’s something little
agree that there’s something little
agree that there’s something little gross about pee you know it’s something
gross about pee you know it’s something
gross about pee you know it’s something that we don’t really like to talk about
that we don’t really like to talk about
that we don’t really like to talk about and we keep the act of doing it
and we keep the act of doing it
and we keep the act of doing it very private but when Lunan Fell’s
very private but when Lunan Fell’s
very private but when Lunan Fell’s peered into the world of pee he
peered into the world of pee he
peered into the world of pee he discovered something deeply helpful to
discovered something deeply helpful to
discovered something deeply helpful to humanity and after a year and a half of
humanity and after a year and a half of
humanity and after a year and a half of making my show I can
making my show I can
making my show I can tell you very often when we explore the
tell you very often when we explore the
tell you very often when we explore the growth side of life we find insights
growth side of life we find insights
growth side of life we find insights that we never would have thought we
that we never would have thought we
that we never would have thought we would find and we even often reveal
would find and we even often reveal
would find and we even often reveal beauty that we didn’t think was there I
beauty that we didn’t think was there I
beauty that we didn’t think was there I think it’s important for us to talk
think it’s important for us to talk
think it’s important for us to talk about gross things for a few reasons
about gross things for a few reasons
about gross things for a few reasons first of all talking about gross stuff
first of all talking about gross stuff
first of all talking about gross stuff is a great tool for education and it’s
is a great tool for education and it’s
is a great tool for education and it’s an excellent way to preserve curiosity
an excellent way to preserve curiosity
an excellent way to preserve curiosity to explain what I mean why don’t I tell
to explain what I mean why don’t I tell
to explain what I mean why don’t I tell you a little bit about what I was like
you a little bit about what I was like
you a little bit about what I was like as a child so I was what you might call
as a child so I was what you might call
as a child so I was what you might call a gross kid in fact my love of science
a gross kid in fact my love of science
a gross kid in fact my love of science itself began when my parents bought me a
itself began when my parents bought me a
itself began when my parents bought me a slime chemistry set and was then only
slime chemistry set and was then only
slime chemistry set and was then only enhanced by doing gross experiments in
enhanced by doing gross experiments in
enhanced by doing gross experiments in my sixth grade biology class so we did
my sixth grade biology class so we did
my sixth grade biology class so we did things like we swab surfaces around our
things like we swab surfaces around our
things like we swab surfaces around our classroom and cultured the bacteria we’d
classroom and cultured the bacteria we’d
classroom and cultured the bacteria we’d collected and we dissected owl pellets
collected and we dissected owl pellets
collected and we dissected owl pellets which are like these balls of material
which are like these balls of material
which are like these balls of material that are undigested that owls barf up
that are undigested that owls barf up
that are undigested that owls barf up and its really kind of gross and awesome
and its really kind of gross and awesome
and its really kind of gross and awesome and cool now the fact that I was
and cool now the fact that I was
and cool now the fact that I was obsessed with gross stuff as a kid is
obsessed with gross stuff as a kid is
obsessed with gross stuff as a kid is not so revolutionary you know lots of
not so revolutionary you know lots of
not so revolutionary you know lots of kids are really into gross things like
kids are really into gross things like
kids are really into gross things like playing in dirt or collecting beetles or
playing in dirt or collecting beetles or
playing in dirt or collecting beetles or eating their boogers and why is that I
eating their boogers and why is that I
eating their boogers and why is that I think really little kids are like little
think really little kids are like little
think really little kids are like little explorers they just want to experience
explorers they just want to experience
explorers they just want to experience as much as they can and don’t have any
as much as they can and don’t have any
as much as they can and don’t have any idea about like the relative
idea about like the relative
idea about like the relative acceptability of touching a ladybug
acceptability of touching a ladybug
acceptability of touching a ladybug versus a stink bug they just want to
versus a stink bug they just want to
versus a stink bug they just want to understand how everything works and
understand how everything works and
understand how everything works and experience as much of life as they can
experience as much of life as they can
experience as much of life as they can and that is pure curiosity but then
and that is pure curiosity but then
and that is pure curiosity but then adults step in and we tell kids not to
adults step in and we tell kids not to
adults step in and we tell kids not to pick their noses and not to touch the
pick their noses and not to touch the
pick their noses and not to touch the slugs or toads or whatever else they
slugs or toads or whatever else they
slugs or toads or whatever else they find in the backyard because those
find in the backyard because those
find in the backyard because those things are gross and we do that in part
things are gross and we do that in part
things are gross and we do that in part to keep kids safe right like maybe
to keep kids safe right like maybe
to keep kids safe right like maybe picking your nose spreads germs and
picking your nose spreads germs and
picking your nose spreads germs and maybe touching that toad will give you
maybe touching that toad will give you
maybe touching that toad will give you warts even though I don’t actually think
warts even though I don’t actually think
warts even though I don’t actually think that’s true you should feel free to
that’s true you should feel free to
that’s true you should feel free to touch as many totes as you want still at
touch as many totes as you want still at
touch as many totes as you want still at a certain point when kids get a little
a certain point when kids get a little
a certain point when kids get a little bit older there’s this way that
bit older there’s this way that
bit older there’s this way that engaging with gross stuff isn’t just
engaging with gross stuff isn’t just
engaging with gross stuff isn’t just about curiosity it’s also about sort of
about curiosity it’s also about sort of
about curiosity it’s also about sort of finding out where the limits are pushing
finding out where the limits are pushing
finding out where the limits are pushing the boundaries of what’s okay so you
the boundaries of what’s okay so you
the boundaries of what’s okay so you know lots of kids of a certain age will
know lots of kids of a certain age will
know lots of kids of a certain age will have burping competitions or
have burping competitions or
have burping competitions or competitions to see who can make the
competitions to see who can make the
competitions to see who can make the grossest face and they do that in part
grossest face and they do that in part
grossest face and they do that in part because it’s a little bit transgressive
because it’s a little bit transgressive
because it’s a little bit transgressive right but there’s another layer to why
right but there’s another layer to why
right but there’s another layer to why we define stuff as gross as humans we’ve
we define stuff as gross as humans we’ve
we define stuff as gross as humans we’ve sort of extended the concept of disgust
sort of extended the concept of disgust
sort of extended the concept of disgust to morality so the psychologist Paul
to morality so the psychologist Paul
to morality so the psychologist Paul rosin would say that many of the things
rosin would say that many of the things
rosin would say that many of the things we categorize as gross are things that
we categorize as gross are things that
we categorize as gross are things that remind us that we’re just animals these
remind us that we’re just animals these
remind us that we’re just animals these are things like bodily fluids and sex
are things like bodily fluids and sex
are things like bodily fluids and sex and physical abnormalities and death and
and physical abnormalities and death and
and physical abnormalities and death and the idea that we’re just animals can be
the idea that we’re just animals can be
the idea that we’re just animals can be really unsettling because it can be this
really unsettling because it can be this
really unsettling because it can be this reminder of our own mortality and that
reminder of our own mortality and that
reminder of our own mortality and that can leave many of us with this like deep
can leave many of us with this like deep
can leave many of us with this like deep existential angst
existential angst
existential angst so rosin would say that there’s this way
so rosin would say that there’s this way
so rosin would say that there’s this way in which disgust and the avoidance of
in which disgust and the avoidance of
in which disgust and the avoidance of gross things becomes not just a way to
gross things becomes not just a way to
gross things becomes not just a way to protect our bodies it becomes a way to
protect our bodies it becomes a way to
protect our bodies it becomes a way to protect our souls I think at a certain
protect our souls I think at a certain
protect our souls I think at a certain point kids really begin to internalize
point kids really begin to internalize
point kids really begin to internalize this link between disgusting things and
this link between disgusting things and
this link between disgusting things and immorality and I well I don’t have any
immorality and I well I don’t have any
immorality and I well I don’t have any concrete data to back up this next idea
concrete data to back up this next idea
concrete data to back up this next idea I think that for a lot of us it happens
I think that for a lot of us it happens
I think that for a lot of us it happens around the time we hit puberty and you
around the time we hit puberty and you
around the time we hit puberty and you know yeah so during puberty you know our
know yeah so during puberty you know our
know yeah so during puberty you know our bodies are changing and we’re sweating
bodies are changing and we’re sweating
bodies are changing and we’re sweating more and girls get their periods and
more and girls get their periods and
more and girls get their periods and we’re thinking about sex in this way
we’re thinking about sex in this way
we’re thinking about sex in this way that we never did before
that we never did before
that we never did before and through the human capacity for
and through the human capacity for
and through the human capacity for abstraction this shame can settle in so
abstraction this shame can settle in so
abstraction this shame can settle in so we don’t necessarily just think oh my
we don’t necessarily just think oh my
we don’t necessarily just think oh my goodness something really gross is
goodness something really gross is
goodness something really gross is happening in my body we think oh my god
happening in my body we think oh my god
happening in my body we think oh my god maybe I’m gross and maybe that means
maybe I’m gross and maybe that means
maybe I’m gross and maybe that means that there’s something bad or wrong
that there’s something bad or wrong
that there’s something bad or wrong about me
about me
about me the thing is that if you de facto
the thing is that if you de facto
the thing is that if you de facto associate gross stuff with immorality
associate gross stuff with immorality
associate gross stuff with immorality you
you
you a huge part of your curiosity because
a huge part of your curiosity because
a huge part of your curiosity because there is so much out there in the world
there is so much out there in the world
there is so much out there in the world that is a little bit gross like think
that is a little bit gross like think
that is a little bit gross like think about going for a walk in the woods you
about going for a walk in the woods you
about going for a walk in the woods you could just pay attention to the birds
could just pay attention to the birds
could just pay attention to the birds and the trees and the flowers and that
and the trees and the flowers and that
and the trees and the flowers and that would be fine but in my view you’d be
would be fine but in my view you’d be
would be fine but in my view you’d be missing a bigger and more awesome
missing a bigger and more awesome
missing a bigger and more awesome picture of life on this planet so there
picture of life on this planet so there
picture of life on this planet so there are cycles of decay that are drying that
are cycles of decay that are drying that
are cycles of decay that are drying that are driving forest growth and there are
are driving forest growth and there are
are driving forest growth and there are networks of fungus beneath your feet
networks of fungus beneath your feet
networks of fungus beneath your feet that are connecting literally all of the
that are connecting literally all of the
that are connecting literally all of the plants around you like that’s really
plants around you like that’s really
plants around you like that’s really amazing I feel like we should be talking
amazing I feel like we should be talking
amazing I feel like we should be talking about gross stuff early and often with
about gross stuff early and often with
about gross stuff early and often with young people so they feel like they’re
young people so they feel like they’re
young people so they feel like they’re actually allowed to claim this bigger
actually allowed to claim this bigger
actually allowed to claim this bigger picture of life on on our planet the
picture of life on on our planet the
picture of life on on our planet the good news is that for many of us the
good news is that for many of us the
good news is that for many of us the fascination with gross stuff doesn’t
fascination with gross stuff doesn’t
fascination with gross stuff doesn’t exactly go away we just kind of pretend
exactly go away we just kind of pretend
exactly go away we just kind of pretend like it’s not there but truthfully we
like it’s not there but truthfully we
like it’s not there but truthfully we all spend like sort of a big part of our
all spend like sort of a big part of our
all spend like sort of a big part of our lives just trying not to be gross when
lives just trying not to be gross when
lives just trying not to be gross when you really think about it we’re sort of
you really think about it we’re sort of
you really think about it we’re sort of just like bags of fluids and some weird
just like bags of fluids and some weird
just like bags of fluids and some weird tissues like surrounded by a thin layer
tissues like surrounded by a thin layer
tissues like surrounded by a thin layer of skin and to a certain extent multiple
of skin and to a certain extent multiple
of skin and to a certain extent multiple times a day whether consciously or
times a day whether consciously or
times a day whether consciously or subconsciously I need to remind myself
subconsciously I need to remind myself
subconsciously I need to remind myself not to fart publicly you know
not to fart publicly you know
not to fart publicly you know so we’re desperately trying to avoid
so we’re desperately trying to avoid
so we’re desperately trying to avoid being gross all the time
being gross all the time
being gross all the time I think many of us take this kind of
I think many of us take this kind of
I think many of us take this kind of voyeuristic delight in learning about
voyeuristic delight in learning about
voyeuristic delight in learning about gross things this is certainly true of
gross things this is certainly true of
gross things this is certainly true of kids and the number of middle school
kids and the number of middle school
kids and the number of middle school teachers who show my videos in their
teachers who show my videos in their
teachers who show my videos in their science classes is like a testament to
science classes is like a testament to
science classes is like a testament to that but I think it’s totally true of
that but I think it’s totally true of
that but I think it’s totally true of adults too you know and I think we all
adults too you know and I think we all
adults too you know and I think we all love hearing about gross stories because
love hearing about gross stories because
love hearing about gross stories because it’s a socially acceptable way to
it’s a socially acceptable way to
it’s a socially acceptable way to explore the growth side of ourselves but
explore the growth side of ourselves but
explore the growth side of ourselves but there’s this other reason that I think
there’s this other reason that I think
there’s this other reason that I think talking about gross stuff is so
talking about gross stuff is so
talking about gross stuff is so important a while back I need a video on
important a while back I need a video on
important a while back I need a video on tonsil stones sorry everyone which are
tonsil stones sorry everyone which are
tonsil stones sorry everyone which are these balls of mucus and bacteria and
these balls of mucus and bacteria and
these balls of mucus and bacteria and food that get lodged in your tonsils and
food that get lodged in your tonsils and
food that get lodged in your tonsils and they smell really terrible sometimes you
they smell really terrible sometimes you
they smell really terrible sometimes you cough them up and it’s like it’s awful
cough them up and it’s like it’s awful
cough them up and it’s like it’s awful and many many people have experienced
and many many people have experienced
and many many people have experienced that
that
that but many of the people who have
but many of the people who have
but many of the people who have experienced this haven’t really had a
experienced this haven’t really had a
experienced this haven’t really had a forum to talk about it and to date this
forum to talk about it and to date this
forum to talk about it and to date this video that I made is my most popular
video that I made is my most popular
video that I made is my most popular video it has millions of views and in
video it has millions of views and in
video it has millions of views and in the comment section for that video
the comment section for that video
the comment section for that video became sort of like a self-help section
became sort of like a self-help section
became sort of like a self-help section where people could talk about their
where people could talk about their
where people could talk about their tonsil stone experiences and like tips
tonsil stone experiences and like tips
tonsil stone experiences and like tips and tricks are getting rid of them and I
and tricks are getting rid of them and I
and tricks are getting rid of them and I think it just became this great way for
think it just became this great way for
think it just became this great way for people to talk about something that
people to talk about something that
people to talk about something that they’d never felt comfortable talking
they’d never felt comfortable talking
they’d never felt comfortable talking about publicly and that is wonderful
about publicly and that is wonderful
about publicly and that is wonderful when it’s about something as goofy as
when it’s about something as goofy as
when it’s about something as goofy as tonsil stones but it’s a little sad when
tonsil stones but it’s a little sad when
tonsil stones but it’s a little sad when a video can have an effect like that
a video can have an effect like that
a video can have an effect like that when it’s about something as common as
when it’s about something as common as
when it’s about something as common as periods so last February I released a
periods so last February I released a
periods so last February I released a video on menstruation and to this day I
video on menstruation and to this day I
video on menstruation and to this day I am still getting messages from people
am still getting messages from people
am still getting messages from people around the globe who are asking me about
around the globe who are asking me about
around the globe who are asking me about their periods there are a lot of young
their periods there are a lot of young
their periods there are a lot of young people and some not so young people out
people and some not so young people out
people and some not so young people out there who are worried that what’s
there who are worried that what’s
there who are worried that what’s happening to their bodies is somehow not
happening to their bodies is somehow not
happening to their bodies is somehow not normal and of course I always tell them
normal and of course I always tell them
normal and of course I always tell them that I am NOT a medical professional and
that I am NOT a medical professional and
that I am NOT a medical professional and that if possible they should talk to a
that if possible they should talk to a
that if possible they should talk to a doctor but the truth of the matter is
doctor but the truth of the matter is
doctor but the truth of the matter is that everyone should feel comfortable
that everyone should feel comfortable
that everyone should feel comfortable talking to a doctor about their own
talking to a doctor about their own
talking to a doctor about their own bodies and that’s why I think it’s
bodies and that’s why I think it’s
bodies and that’s why I think it’s really important for us to start this
really important for us to start this
really important for us to start this dialogue about gross stuff from a pretty
dialogue about gross stuff from a pretty
dialogue about gross stuff from a pretty early age so we can let our kids know
early age so we can let our kids know
early age so we can let our kids know that it’s all right to have agency over
that it’s all right to have agency over
that it’s all right to have agency over your own body and over your own health
your own body and over your own health
your own body and over your own health there’s another reason that talking to
there’s another reason that talking to
there’s another reason that talking to your doctor about your health and gross
your doctor about your health and gross
your doctor about your health and gross stuff is really really important um
stuff is really really important um
stuff is really really important um doctors and the scientific community can
doctors and the scientific community can
doctors and the scientific community can only address issues when they know
only address issues when they know
only address issues when they know there’s something to address so one of
there’s something to address so one of
there’s something to address so one of the really interesting things I learned
the really interesting things I learned
the really interesting things I learned while making the video on periods is
while making the video on periods is
while making the video on periods is that I was talking to this one scientist
that I was talking to this one scientist
that I was talking to this one scientist who told me there’s actually still a lot
who told me there’s actually still a lot
who told me there’s actually still a lot we don’t know about about periods like
we don’t know about about periods like
we don’t know about about periods like there’s a lot of basic research that
there’s a lot of basic research that
there’s a lot of basic research that still hasn’t been done and in part
still hasn’t been done and in part
still hasn’t been done and in part that’s just because there weren’t a lot
that’s just because there weren’t a lot
that’s just because there weren’t a lot of scientists in the field who were
of scientists in the field who were
of scientists in the field who were women to ask questions about it and it’s
women to ask questions about it and it’s
women to ask questions about it and it’s also not a topic that women talk about
also not a topic that women talk about
also not a topic that women talk about publicly so there’s this gap
publicly so there’s this gap
publicly so there’s this gap in what we know just because no one was
in what we know just because no one was
in what we know just because no one was there to ask a question there’s one
there to ask a question there’s one
there to ask a question there’s one final reason that I think talking about
final reason that I think talking about
final reason that I think talking about gross stuff is so important and that’s
gross stuff is so important and that’s
gross stuff is so important and that’s because you just never know what you’re
because you just never know what you’re
because you just never know what you’re gonna find when you peel back all those
gonna find when you peel back all those
gonna find when you peel back all those layers of disgustingness take the
layers of disgustingness take the
layers of disgustingness take the California brown sea hair this is a sea
California brown sea hair this is a sea
California brown sea hair this is a sea slug that squirts this lovely bright
slug that squirts this lovely bright
slug that squirts this lovely bright purple ink at any creature that tries to
purple ink at any creature that tries to
purple ink at any creature that tries to eat it but it also happens to be one of
eat it but it also happens to be one of
eat it but it also happens to be one of the kinkiest creatures in the animal
the kinkiest creatures in the animal
the kinkiest creatures in the animal kingdom so these guys are hermaphrodites
kingdom so these guys are hermaphrodites
kingdom so these guys are hermaphrodites which means they have both male and
which means they have both male and
which means they have both male and female genitalia and when it’s time to
female genitalia and when it’s time to
female genitalia and when it’s time to mate up to 20 individuals we’ll all get
mate up to 20 individuals we’ll all get
mate up to 20 individuals we’ll all get together in this kind of like conga line
together in this kind of like conga line
together in this kind of like conga line and they’ll all mate together a single
and they’ll all mate together a single
and they’ll all mate together a single fear will inseminate the partner in
fear will inseminate the partner in
fear will inseminate the partner in front of it and receive sperm from the
front of it and receive sperm from the
front of it and receive sperm from the one behind which is sort of like an
one behind which is sort of like an
one behind which is sort of like an awesome time saver but if scientists had
awesome time saver but if scientists had
awesome time saver but if scientists had only like saw this and they were like
only like saw this and they were like
only like saw this and they were like okay we’re just not going to touch that
okay we’re just not going to touch that
okay we’re just not going to touch that with a stick they would have missed the
with a stick they would have missed the
with a stick they would have missed the bigger thing about sea hares that makes
bigger thing about sea hares that makes
bigger thing about sea hares that makes them really remarkable so it turns out
them really remarkable so it turns out
them really remarkable so it turns out that these sea hares have a small number
that these sea hares have a small number
that these sea hares have a small number of very large neurons which makes them
of very large neurons which makes them
of very large neurons which makes them excellent to use in neuroscience
excellent to use in neuroscience
excellent to use in neuroscience research and in fact the scientist Eric
research and in fact the scientist Eric
research and in fact the scientist Eric Kandel used them in his research to
Kandel used them in his research to
Kandel used them in his research to understand how memories are stored and
understand how memories are stored and
understand how memories are stored and you know what he won a Nobel Prize for
you know what he won a Nobel Prize for
you know what he won a Nobel Prize for his work so go out there and pick up
his work so go out there and pick up
his work so go out there and pick up beetles and play in dirt and ask
beetles and play in dirt and ask
beetles and play in dirt and ask questions and own your fascination with
questions and own your fascination with
questions and own your fascination with gross stuff and don’t be ashamed of it
gross stuff and don’t be ashamed of it
gross stuff and don’t be ashamed of it because you never know what you’re gonna
because you never know what you’re gonna
because you never know what you’re gonna find and as I say at the end of all my
find and as I say at the end of all my
find and as I say at the end of all my videos you know thank you
[Music] [Applause]
did you know that one of the first
did you know that one of the first fertility drugs was made from the pee of
fertility drugs was made from the pee of
fertility drugs was made from the pee of Catholic nuns and that even the Pope got
Catholic nuns and that even the Pope got
Catholic nuns and that even the Pope got involved so this is totally true back in
involved so this is totally true back in
involved so this is totally true back in the 1950s scientists knew that when
the 1950s scientists knew that when
the 1950s scientists knew that when women enter menopause they start
women enter menopause they start
women enter menopause they start releasing high levels of fertility
releasing high levels of fertility
releasing high levels of fertility hormones in their urine but there was
hormones in their urine but there was
hormones in their urine but there was this doctor named Bruno Lunan Feld who
this doctor named Bruno Lunan Feld who
this doctor named Bruno Lunan Feld who wondered if he could actually isolate
wondered if he could actually isolate
wondered if he could actually isolate those hormones from the urine and use it
those hormones from the urine and use it
those hormones from the urine and use it to help women who are having trouble
to help women who are having trouble
to help women who are having trouble getting pregnant obviously the problem
getting pregnant obviously the problem
getting pregnant obviously the problem with this was that in order to test this
with this was that in order to test this
with this was that in order to test this idea he needed a lot of pee from older
idea he needed a lot of pee from older
idea he needed a lot of pee from older women and that is not an easy thing to
women and that is not an easy thing to
women and that is not an easy thing to find so he and his colleagues got
find so he and his colleagues got
find so he and his colleagues got special permission from the Pope to
special permission from the Pope to
special permission from the Pope to collect gallons and gallons of urine
collect gallons and gallons of urine
collect gallons and gallons of urine from hundreds of older Catholic nuns and
from hundreds of older Catholic nuns and
from hundreds of older Catholic nuns and in doing so he actually isolated
in doing so he actually isolated
in doing so he actually isolated hormones that are still used to help
hormones that are still used to help
hormones that are still used to help women get pregnant today though now they
women get pregnant today though now they
women get pregnant today though now they can be synthesized in a lab and gallons
can be synthesized in a lab and gallons
can be synthesized in a lab and gallons of pee aren’t necessary so why am i
of pee aren’t necessary so why am i
of pee aren’t necessary so why am i standing up here telling this
standing up here telling this
standing up here telling this wonderfully intellectual audience about
wonderfully intellectual audience about
wonderfully intellectual audience about nun pee well I’m a science journalist
nun pee well I’m a science journalist
nun pee well I’m a science journalist and multimedia producer who has always
and multimedia producer who has always
and multimedia producer who has always been fascinated by gross stuff so
been fascinated by gross stuff so
been fascinated by gross stuff so fascinated in fact that I started a
fascinated in fact that I started a
fascinated in fact that I started a weekly YouTube series called gross
weekly YouTube series called gross
weekly YouTube series called gross science all about the slimy smelly
science all about the slimy smelly
science all about the slimy smelly creepy underbelly of nature medicine and
creepy underbelly of nature medicine and
creepy underbelly of nature medicine and technology now I think most of us would
technology now I think most of us would
technology now I think most of us would agree that there’s something little
agree that there’s something little
agree that there’s something little gross about pee you know it’s something
gross about pee you know it’s something
gross about pee you know it’s something that we don’t really like to talk about
that we don’t really like to talk about
that we don’t really like to talk about and we keep the act of doing it
and we keep the act of doing it
and we keep the act of doing it very private but when Lunan Fell’s
very private but when Lunan Fell’s
very private but when Lunan Fell’s peered into the world of pee he
peered into the world of pee he
peered into the world of pee he discovered something deeply helpful to
discovered something deeply helpful to
discovered something deeply helpful to humanity and after a year and a half of
humanity and after a year and a half of
humanity and after a year and a half of making my show I can
making my show I can
making my show I can tell you very often when we explore the
tell you very often when we explore the
tell you very often when we explore the growth side of life we find insights
growth side of life we find insights
growth side of life we find insights that we never would have thought we
that we never would have thought we
that we never would have thought we would find and we even often reveal
would find and we even often reveal
would find and we even often reveal beauty that we didn’t think was there I
beauty that we didn’t think was there I
beauty that we didn’t think was there I think it’s important for us to talk
think it’s important for us to talk
think it’s important for us to talk about gross things for a few reasons
about gross things for a few reasons
about gross things for a few reasons first of all talking about gross stuff
first of all talking about gross stuff
first of all talking about gross stuff is a great tool for education and it’s
is a great tool for education and it’s
is a great tool for education and it’s an excellent way to preserve curiosity
an excellent way to preserve curiosity
an excellent way to preserve curiosity to explain what I mean why don’t I tell
to explain what I mean why don’t I tell
to explain what I mean why don’t I tell you a little bit about what I was like
you a little bit about what I was like
you a little bit about what I was like as a child so I was what you might call
as a child so I was what you might call
as a child so I was what you might call a gross kid in fact my love of science
a gross kid in fact my love of science
a gross kid in fact my love of science itself began when my parents bought me a
itself began when my parents bought me a
itself began when my parents bought me a slime chemistry set and was then only
slime chemistry set and was then only
slime chemistry set and was then only enhanced by doing gross experiments in
enhanced by doing gross experiments in
enhanced by doing gross experiments in my sixth grade biology class so we did
my sixth grade biology class so we did
my sixth grade biology class so we did things like we swab surfaces around our
things like we swab surfaces around our
things like we swab surfaces around our classroom and cultured the bacteria we’d
classroom and cultured the bacteria we’d
classroom and cultured the bacteria we’d collected and we dissected owl pellets
collected and we dissected owl pellets
collected and we dissected owl pellets which are like these balls of material
which are like these balls of material
which are like these balls of material that are undigested that owls barf up
that are undigested that owls barf up
that are undigested that owls barf up and its really kind of gross and awesome
and its really kind of gross and awesome
and its really kind of gross and awesome and cool now the fact that I was
and cool now the fact that I was
and cool now the fact that I was obsessed with gross stuff as a kid is
obsessed with gross stuff as a kid is
obsessed with gross stuff as a kid is not so revolutionary you know lots of
not so revolutionary you know lots of
not so revolutionary you know lots of kids are really into gross things like
kids are really into gross things like
kids are really into gross things like playing in dirt or collecting beetles or
playing in dirt or collecting beetles or
playing in dirt or collecting beetles or eating their boogers and why is that I
eating their boogers and why is that I
eating their boogers and why is that I think really little kids are like little
think really little kids are like little
think really little kids are like little explorers they just want to experience
explorers they just want to experience
explorers they just want to experience as much as they can and don’t have any
as much as they can and don’t have any
as much as they can and don’t have any idea about like the relative
idea about like the relative
idea about like the relative acceptability of touching a ladybug
acceptability of touching a ladybug
acceptability of touching a ladybug versus a stink bug they just want to
versus a stink bug they just want to
versus a stink bug they just want to understand how everything works and
understand how everything works and
understand how everything works and experience as much of life as they can
experience as much of life as they can
experience as much of life as they can and that is pure curiosity but then
and that is pure curiosity but then
and that is pure curiosity but then adults step in and we tell kids not to
adults step in and we tell kids not to
adults step in and we tell kids not to pick their noses and not to touch the
pick their noses and not to touch the
pick their noses and not to touch the slugs or toads or whatever else they
slugs or toads or whatever else they
slugs or toads or whatever else they find in the backyard because those
find in the backyard because those
find in the backyard because those things are gross and we do that in part
things are gross and we do that in part
things are gross and we do that in part to keep kids safe right like maybe
to keep kids safe right like maybe
to keep kids safe right like maybe picking your nose spreads germs and
picking your nose spreads germs and
picking your nose spreads germs and maybe touching that toad will give you
maybe touching that toad will give you
maybe touching that toad will give you warts even though I don’t actually think
warts even though I don’t actually think
warts even though I don’t actually think that’s true you should feel free to
that’s true you should feel free to
that’s true you should feel free to touch as many totes as you want still at
touch as many totes as you want still at
touch as many totes as you want still at a certain point when kids get a little
a certain point when kids get a little
a certain point when kids get a little bit older there’s this way that
bit older there’s this way that
bit older there’s this way that engaging with gross stuff isn’t just
engaging with gross stuff isn’t just
engaging with gross stuff isn’t just about curiosity it’s also about sort of
about curiosity it’s also about sort of
about curiosity it’s also about sort of finding out where the limits are pushing
finding out where the limits are pushing
finding out where the limits are pushing the boundaries of what’s okay so you
the boundaries of what’s okay so you
the boundaries of what’s okay so you know lots of kids of a certain age will
know lots of kids of a certain age will
know lots of kids of a certain age will have burping competitions or
have burping competitions or
have burping competitions or competitions to see who can make the
competitions to see who can make the
competitions to see who can make the grossest face and they do that in part
grossest face and they do that in part
grossest face and they do that in part because it’s a little bit transgressive
because it’s a little bit transgressive
because it’s a little bit transgressive right but there’s another layer to why
right but there’s another layer to why
right but there’s another layer to why we define stuff as gross as humans we’ve
we define stuff as gross as humans we’ve
we define stuff as gross as humans we’ve sort of extended the concept of disgust
sort of extended the concept of disgust
sort of extended the concept of disgust to morality so the psychologist Paul
to morality so the psychologist Paul
to morality so the psychologist Paul rosin would say that many of the things
rosin would say that many of the things
rosin would say that many of the things we categorize as gross are things that
we categorize as gross are things that
we categorize as gross are things that remind us that we’re just animals these
remind us that we’re just animals these
remind us that we’re just animals these are things like bodily fluids and sex
are things like bodily fluids and sex
are things like bodily fluids and sex and physical abnormalities and death and
and physical abnormalities and death and
and physical abnormalities and death and the idea that we’re just animals can be
the idea that we’re just animals can be
the idea that we’re just animals can be really unsettling because it can be this
really unsettling because it can be this
really unsettling because it can be this reminder of our own mortality and that
reminder of our own mortality and that
reminder of our own mortality and that can leave many of us with this like deep
can leave many of us with this like deep
can leave many of us with this like deep existential angst
existential angst
existential angst so rosin would say that there’s this way
so rosin would say that there’s this way
so rosin would say that there’s this way in which disgust and the avoidance of
in which disgust and the avoidance of
in which disgust and the avoidance of gross things becomes not just a way to
gross things becomes not just a way to
gross things becomes not just a way to protect our bodies it becomes a way to
protect our bodies it becomes a way to
protect our bodies it becomes a way to protect our souls I think at a certain
protect our souls I think at a certain
protect our souls I think at a certain point kids really begin to internalize
point kids really begin to internalize
point kids really begin to internalize this link between disgusting things and
this link between disgusting things and
this link between disgusting things and immorality and I well I don’t have any
immorality and I well I don’t have any
immorality and I well I don’t have any concrete data to back up this next idea
concrete data to back up this next idea
concrete data to back up this next idea I think that for a lot of us it happens
I think that for a lot of us it happens
I think that for a lot of us it happens around the time we hit puberty and you
around the time we hit puberty and you
around the time we hit puberty and you know yeah so during puberty you know our
know yeah so during puberty you know our
know yeah so during puberty you know our bodies are changing and we’re sweating
bodies are changing and we’re sweating
bodies are changing and we’re sweating more and girls get their periods and
more and girls get their periods and
more and girls get their periods and we’re thinking about sex in this way
we’re thinking about sex in this way
we’re thinking about sex in this way that we never did before
that we never did before
that we never did before and through the human capacity for
and through the human capacity for
and through the human capacity for abstraction this shame can settle in so
abstraction this shame can settle in so
abstraction this shame can settle in so we don’t necessarily just think oh my
we don’t necessarily just think oh my
we don’t necessarily just think oh my goodness something really gross is
goodness something really gross is
goodness something really gross is happening in my body we think oh my god
happening in my body we think oh my god
happening in my body we think oh my god maybe I’m gross and maybe that means
maybe I’m gross and maybe that means
maybe I’m gross and maybe that means that there’s something bad or wrong
that there’s something bad or wrong
that there’s something bad or wrong about me
about me
about me the thing is that if you de facto
the thing is that if you de facto
the thing is that if you de facto associate gross stuff with immorality
associate gross stuff with immorality
associate gross stuff with immorality you
you
you a huge part of your curiosity because
a huge part of your curiosity because
a huge part of your curiosity because there is so much out there in the world
there is so much out there in the world
there is so much out there in the world that is a little bit gross like think
that is a little bit gross like think
that is a little bit gross like think about going for a walk in the woods you
about going for a walk in the woods you
about going for a walk in the woods you could just pay attention to the birds
could just pay attention to the birds
could just pay attention to the birds and the trees and the flowers and that
and the trees and the flowers and that
and the trees and the flowers and that would be fine but in my view you’d be
would be fine but in my view you’d be
would be fine but in my view you’d be missing a bigger and more awesome
missing a bigger and more awesome
missing a bigger and more awesome picture of life on this planet so there
picture of life on this planet so there
picture of life on this planet so there are cycles of decay that are drying that
are cycles of decay that are drying that
are cycles of decay that are drying that are driving forest growth and there are
are driving forest growth and there are
are driving forest growth and there are networks of fungus beneath your feet
networks of fungus beneath your feet
networks of fungus beneath your feet that are connecting literally all of the
that are connecting literally all of the
that are connecting literally all of the plants around you like that’s really
plants around you like that’s really
plants around you like that’s really amazing I feel like we should be talking
amazing I feel like we should be talking
amazing I feel like we should be talking about gross stuff early and often with
about gross stuff early and often with
about gross stuff early and often with young people so they feel like they’re
young people so they feel like they’re
young people so they feel like they’re actually allowed to claim this bigger
actually allowed to claim this bigger
actually allowed to claim this bigger picture of life on on our planet the
picture of life on on our planet the
picture of life on on our planet the good news is that for many of us the
good news is that for many of us the
good news is that for many of us the fascination with gross stuff doesn’t
fascination with gross stuff doesn’t
fascination with gross stuff doesn’t exactly go away we just kind of pretend
exactly go away we just kind of pretend
exactly go away we just kind of pretend like it’s not there but truthfully we
like it’s not there but truthfully we
like it’s not there but truthfully we all spend like sort of a big part of our
all spend like sort of a big part of our
all spend like sort of a big part of our lives just trying not to be gross when
lives just trying not to be gross when
lives just trying not to be gross when you really think about it we’re sort of
you really think about it we’re sort of
you really think about it we’re sort of just like bags of fluids and some weird
just like bags of fluids and some weird
just like bags of fluids and some weird tissues like surrounded by a thin layer
tissues like surrounded by a thin layer
tissues like surrounded by a thin layer of skin and to a certain extent multiple
of skin and to a certain extent multiple
of skin and to a certain extent multiple times a day whether consciously or
times a day whether consciously or
times a day whether consciously or subconsciously I need to remind myself
subconsciously I need to remind myself
subconsciously I need to remind myself not to fart publicly you know
not to fart publicly you know
not to fart publicly you know so we’re desperately trying to avoid
so we’re desperately trying to avoid
so we’re desperately trying to avoid being gross all the time
being gross all the time
being gross all the time I think many of us take this kind of
I think many of us take this kind of
I think many of us take this kind of voyeuristic delight in learning about
voyeuristic delight in learning about
voyeuristic delight in learning about gross things this is certainly true of
gross things this is certainly true of
gross things this is certainly true of kids and the number of middle school
kids and the number of middle school
kids and the number of middle school teachers who show my videos in their
teachers who show my videos in their
teachers who show my videos in their science classes is like a testament to
science classes is like a testament to
science classes is like a testament to that but I think it’s totally true of
that but I think it’s totally true of
that but I think it’s totally true of adults too you know and I think we all
adults too you know and I think we all
adults too you know and I think we all love hearing about gross stories because
love hearing about gross stories because
love hearing about gross stories because it’s a socially acceptable way to
it’s a socially acceptable way to
it’s a socially acceptable way to explore the growth side of ourselves but
explore the growth side of ourselves but
explore the growth side of ourselves but there’s this other reason that I think
there’s this other reason that I think
there’s this other reason that I think talking about gross stuff is so
talking about gross stuff is so
talking about gross stuff is so important a while back I need a video on
important a while back I need a video on
important a while back I need a video on tonsil stones sorry everyone which are
tonsil stones sorry everyone which are
tonsil stones sorry everyone which are these balls of mucus and bacteria and
these balls of mucus and bacteria and
these balls of mucus and bacteria and food that get lodged in your tonsils and
food that get lodged in your tonsils and
food that get lodged in your tonsils and they smell really terrible sometimes you
they smell really terrible sometimes you
they smell really terrible sometimes you cough them up and it’s like it’s awful
cough them up and it’s like it’s awful
cough them up and it’s like it’s awful and many many people have experienced
and many many people have experienced
and many many people have experienced that
that
that but many of the people who have
but many of the people who have
but many of the people who have experienced this haven’t really had a
experienced this haven’t really had a
experienced this haven’t really had a forum to talk about it and to date this
forum to talk about it and to date this
forum to talk about it and to date this video that I made is my most popular
video that I made is my most popular
video that I made is my most popular video it has millions of views and in
video it has millions of views and in
video it has millions of views and in the comment section for that video
the comment section for that video
the comment section for that video became sort of like a self-help section
became sort of like a self-help section
became sort of like a self-help section where people could talk about their
where people could talk about their
where people could talk about their tonsil stone experiences and like tips
tonsil stone experiences and like tips
tonsil stone experiences and like tips and tricks are getting rid of them and I
and tricks are getting rid of them and I
and tricks are getting rid of them and I think it just became this great way for
think it just became this great way for
think it just became this great way for people to talk about something that
people to talk about something that
people to talk about something that they’d never felt comfortable talking
they’d never felt comfortable talking
they’d never felt comfortable talking about publicly and that is wonderful
about publicly and that is wonderful
about publicly and that is wonderful when it’s about something as goofy as
when it’s about something as goofy as
when it’s about something as goofy as tonsil stones but it’s a little sad when
tonsil stones but it’s a little sad when
tonsil stones but it’s a little sad when a video can have an effect like that
a video can have an effect like that
a video can have an effect like that when it’s about something as common as
when it’s about something as common as
when it’s about something as common as periods so last February I released a
periods so last February I released a
periods so last February I released a video on menstruation and to this day I
video on menstruation and to this day I
video on menstruation and to this day I am still getting messages from people
am still getting messages from people
am still getting messages from people around the globe who are asking me about
around the globe who are asking me about
around the globe who are asking me about their periods there are a lot of young
their periods there are a lot of young
their periods there are a lot of young people and some not so young people out
people and some not so young people out
people and some not so young people out there who are worried that what’s
there who are worried that what’s
there who are worried that what’s happening to their bodies is somehow not
happening to their bodies is somehow not
happening to their bodies is somehow not normal and of course I always tell them
normal and of course I always tell them
normal and of course I always tell them that I am NOT a medical professional and
that I am NOT a medical professional and
that I am NOT a medical professional and that if possible they should talk to a
that if possible they should talk to a
that if possible they should talk to a doctor but the truth of the matter is
doctor but the truth of the matter is
doctor but the truth of the matter is that everyone should feel comfortable
that everyone should feel comfortable
that everyone should feel comfortable talking to a doctor about their own
talking to a doctor about their own
talking to a doctor about their own bodies and that’s why I think it’s
bodies and that’s why I think it’s
bodies and that’s why I think it’s really important for us to start this
really important for us to start this
really important for us to start this dialogue about gross stuff from a pretty
dialogue about gross stuff from a pretty
dialogue about gross stuff from a pretty early age so we can let our kids know
early age so we can let our kids know
early age so we can let our kids know that it’s all right to have agency over
that it’s all right to have agency over
that it’s all right to have agency over your own body and over your own health
your own body and over your own health
your own body and over your own health there’s another reason that talking to
there’s another reason that talking to
there’s another reason that talking to your doctor about your health and gross
your doctor about your health and gross
your doctor about your health and gross stuff is really really important um
stuff is really really important um
stuff is really really important um doctors and the scientific community can
doctors and the scientific community can
doctors and the scientific community can only address issues when they know
only address issues when they know
only address issues when they know there’s something to address so one of
there’s something to address so one of
there’s something to address so one of the really interesting things I learned
the really interesting things I learned
the really interesting things I learned while making the video on periods is
while making the video on periods is
while making the video on periods is that I was talking to this one scientist
that I was talking to this one scientist
that I was talking to this one scientist who told me there’s actually still a lot
who told me there’s actually still a lot
who told me there’s actually still a lot we don’t know about about periods like
we don’t know about about periods like
we don’t know about about periods like there’s a lot of basic research that
there’s a lot of basic research that
there’s a lot of basic research that still hasn’t been done and in part
still hasn’t been done and in part
still hasn’t been done and in part that’s just because there weren’t a lot
that’s just because there weren’t a lot
that’s just because there weren’t a lot of scientists in the field who were
of scientists in the field who were
of scientists in the field who were women to ask questions about it and it’s
women to ask questions about it and it’s
women to ask questions about it and it’s also not a topic that women talk about
also not a topic that women talk about
also not a topic that women talk about publicly so there’s this gap
publicly so there’s this gap
publicly so there’s this gap in what we know just because no one was
in what we know just because no one was
in what we know just because no one was there to ask a question there’s one
there to ask a question there’s one
there to ask a question there’s one final reason that I think talking about
final reason that I think talking about
final reason that I think talking about gross stuff is so important and that’s
gross stuff is so important and that’s
gross stuff is so important and that’s because you just never know what you’re
because you just never know what you’re
because you just never know what you’re gonna find when you peel back all those
gonna find when you peel back all those
gonna find when you peel back all those layers of disgustingness take the
layers of disgustingness take the
layers of disgustingness take the California brown sea hair this is a sea
California brown sea hair this is a sea
California brown sea hair this is a sea slug that squirts this lovely bright
slug that squirts this lovely bright
slug that squirts this lovely bright purple ink at any creature that tries to
purple ink at any creature that tries to
purple ink at any creature that tries to eat it but it also happens to be one of
eat it but it also happens to be one of
eat it but it also happens to be one of the kinkiest creatures in the animal
the kinkiest creatures in the animal
the kinkiest creatures in the animal kingdom so these guys are hermaphrodites
kingdom so these guys are hermaphrodites
kingdom so these guys are hermaphrodites which means they have both male and
which means they have both male and
which means they have both male and female genitalia and when it’s time to
female genitalia and when it’s time to
female genitalia and when it’s time to mate up to 20 individuals we’ll all get
mate up to 20 individuals we’ll all get
mate up to 20 individuals we’ll all get together in this kind of like conga line
together in this kind of like conga line
together in this kind of like conga line and they’ll all mate together a single
and they’ll all mate together a single
and they’ll all mate together a single fear will inseminate the partner in
fear will inseminate the partner in
fear will inseminate the partner in front of it and receive sperm from the
front of it and receive sperm from the
front of it and receive sperm from the one behind which is sort of like an
one behind which is sort of like an
one behind which is sort of like an awesome time saver but if scientists had
awesome time saver but if scientists had
awesome time saver but if scientists had only like saw this and they were like
only like saw this and they were like
only like saw this and they were like okay we’re just not going to touch that
okay we’re just not going to touch that
okay we’re just not going to touch that with a stick they would have missed the
with a stick they would have missed the
with a stick they would have missed the bigger thing about sea hares that makes
bigger thing about sea hares that makes
bigger thing about sea hares that makes them really remarkable so it turns out
them really remarkable so it turns out
them really remarkable so it turns out that these sea hares have a small number
that these sea hares have a small number
that these sea hares have a small number of very large neurons which makes them
of very large neurons which makes them
of very large neurons which makes them excellent to use in neuroscience
excellent to use in neuroscience
excellent to use in neuroscience research and in fact the scientist Eric
research and in fact the scientist Eric
research and in fact the scientist Eric Kandel used them in his research to
Kandel used them in his research to
Kandel used them in his research to understand how memories are stored and
understand how memories are stored and
understand how memories are stored and you know what he won a Nobel Prize for
you know what he won a Nobel Prize for
you know what he won a Nobel Prize for his work so go out there and pick up
his work so go out there and pick up
his work so go out there and pick up beetles and play in dirt and ask
beetles and play in dirt and ask
beetles and play in dirt and ask questions and own your fascination with
questions and own your fascination with
questions and own your fascination with gross stuff and don’t be ashamed of it
gross stuff and don’t be ashamed of it
gross stuff and don’t be ashamed of it because you never know what you’re gonna
because you never know what you’re gonna
because you never know what you’re gonna find and as I say at the end of all my
find and as I say at the end of all my
find and as I say at the end of all my videos you know thank you
Please follow and like us: