Fringey Mini - Defecation in the time of magnets

Humans might secretly sense Earth’s magnetic field, but probably not enough to orient their poop or unlock fringe superpowers. We explore the strange science behind magnetoreception, why some brains react to magnetic shifts, and what it means for our place in the planet’s invisible forces. In this episode, we dive into the curious question raised by recent research: **can humans actually detect Earth’s magnetic field?** A Caltech experiment found that some people’s alpha brain waves subtly shift when exposed to rotating magnetic fields, hinting at a quiet, unconscious sensory response. But does that mean we’re walking around with dormant compass abilities? Not quite. We break down how the study worked, why scientists disagree about what the results really mean, and how animals like birds and turtles use magnetoreception far more effectively than we ever could. Along the way, we explore the implications, the skepticism, and the wonderfully weird possibilities that arise when you tell people they might have a magnetic sense — even if it’s not strong enough to help them navigate, predict danger, or, yes, orient their defecation. It’s fringe science, real biology, and just enough absurdity to keep things grounded. News Article: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/can-humans-detect-magnetic-fields-180971760/ Have an idea for an episode or a question? You can now leave us a voicemail! Click here!