Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

How it works Lactose is a type of sugar found in dairy products. Most babies are born with the ability to digest lactose, which helps them process their mother’s breast milk. But as children grow older and begin to eat different foods, their bodies can stop producing lactase, the enzyme that digests lactose. In most…

How it works When it’s time to hit the sack (or just take a nap) our bodies let us know by firing off a molecule called adenosine. Caffeine helps perk us back up by blocking adenosine’s signals. The genetic link Scientists have identified genetic variants that influence how your body handles caffeine. These variants are…

How it works When we drink alcohol, a toxin called acetaldehyde is produced as the body breaks down the alcohol. The body then clears out this harmful toxin by breaking it down further. In people who experience the alcohol flush reaction, their bodies have a harder time clearing out the acetaldehyde, so it builds up.…