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Ologies with Alie Ward

Ologies with Alie Ward

By: Alie Ward
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 Volcanoes. Trees. Drunk butterflies. Mars missions. Slug sex. Death. Beauty standards. Anxiety busters. Beer science. Bee drama. Take away a pocket full of science knowledge and charming, bizarre stories about what fuels these professional -ologists' obsessions. Humorist and science correspondent Alie Ward asks smart people stupid questions and the answers might change your life.2026 Alie Ward Science Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Cannabinology (MARIJUANA) Part 2 with Ziva Cooper and Caroline Melly

    Cannabinology (MARIJUANA) Part 2 with Ziva Cooper and Caroline Melly
    Apr 15 2026
    Neurodivergence and weed. Munchie remedies. Long term toking. The Entourage Effect. Drag a bean bag into the circle and kick back for Part 2 of Cannabinology with UCLA’s Center for Cannabis and Cannabinoids director Dr. Ziva Cooper and Smith College cannabis anthropologist Dr. Caroline Melly. We’ll probe the great mystery and misfortune of hyperemesis, the effect of THC on memory and neuroplasticity, why edibles sometimes send you to a distant galaxy, CBD and inflammation, the risks of psychosis, older vs. younger brains and cannabis, a guy named Rick Simpson, how much weed is the right amount of weed, and if any studies warrant further research. Heads up: they do. Follow Dr. Cooper on Google Scholar Visit the UCLA Center for Cannabis and Cannabinoids website Follow Dr. Melly on Google Scholar A donation went to Last Prisoner Project More episode sources and links Other episodes you may enjoy:Psychedeliology (HALLUCINOGENS), Dolorology (PAIN), Mnemonology (MEMORY), Attention-Deficit Neuropsychology (ADHD), Molecular Neurobiology (BRAIN CHEMICALS), Addictionology (ADDICTION), Neuropathology (CONCUSSIONS), Neuropathoimmunology (MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS), Salugenology (WHY HUMANS REQUIRE HOBBIES), Obsessive-Compulsive Neurobiology (OCD), Quasithanatology (NEAR-DEATH EXPERIENCES), Oneirology (DREAMS) 400+ Ologies episodes sorted by topic Smologies (short, classroom-safe) episodes Sponsors of Ologies Transcripts and bleeped episodes Become a patron of Ologies for as little as a buck a month OlogiesMerch.com has hats, shirts, hoodies, totes! Follow Ologies onInstagram andBluesky Follow Alie Ward onInstagram andTikTok Editing by Mercedes Maitland ofMaitland Audio Productions andJake Chaffee Managing Director: Susan Hale Scheduling Producer: Noel Dilworth Transcripts by Aveline Malek Website byKelly R. Dwyer Theme song by Nick Thorburn Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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    1 hr and 33 mins
  • Cannabinology (MARIJUANA) Part 1 with Ziva Cooper and Caroline Melly

    Cannabinology (MARIJUANA) Part 1 with Ziva Cooper and Caroline Melly
    Apr 8 2026
    Gummies vs. pre-rolls. THC vs. CBD. Indica vs. sativa. Hemp vs. marijuana. Dad grass vs. modern trees. This extended 2-part deep dive with UCLA’s Center for Cannabis and Cannabinoids director Dr. Ziva Cooper and Smith College cannabis anthropologist Dr. Caroline Melly covers the storied history of the weed’s trek across continents, the endocannabinoid system, the “bliss” molecule, brain receptors, cancer therapeutics, edible mishaps, the munchies, legalization, titration, addiction, kief, hash, dabs, shatter, strains, and so much more. Follow Dr. Cooper on Google Scholar Visit the UCLA Center for Cannabis and Cannabinoids website Follow Dr. Melly on Google Scholar A donation went to Last Prisoner Project More episode sources and links Other episodes you may enjoy: Psychedeliology (HALLUCINOGENS), Dolorology (PAIN), Mnemonology (MEMORY), Attention-Deficit Neuropsychology (ADHD), Obsessive-Compulsive Neurobiology (OCD), Molecular Neurobiology (BRAIN CHEMICALS), Traumatology (PTSD), Somnology (SLEEP), Eudemonology (HAPPINESS), Neuropathology (CONCUSSIONS), Neuropathoimmunology (MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS), Sports & Performance Psychology (ANXIETY & CONFIDENCE), Addictionology (ADDICTION), Salugenology (WHY HUMANS REQUIRE HOBBIES), Quasithanatology (NEAR-DEATH EXPERIENCES), Oneirology (DREAMS) 400+ Ologies episodes sorted by topic Smologies (short, classroom-safe) episodes Sponsors of Ologies Transcripts and bleeped episodes Become a patron of Ologies for as little as a buck a month OlogiesMerch.com has hats, shirts, hoodies, totes! Follow Ologies on Instagram and Bluesky Follow Alie Ward on Instagram and TikTok Editing by Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio Productions and Jake Chaffee Managing Director: Susan Hale Scheduling Producer: Noel Dilworth Transcripts by Aveline Malek Website by Kelly R. Dwyer Theme song by Nick Thorburn Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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    1 hr and 20 mins
  • Nudibranchology (GLAMOROUS SEA SLUGS) with Jessica Goodheart and Terry Gosliner

    Nudibranchology (GLAMOROUS SEA SLUGS) with Jessica Goodheart and Terry Gosliner
    Apr 1 2026

    Discovery. Drama. Diversity. Design inspo. Let’s squirm into the sea grass and the tidal crevices with California Academy of Sciences legend Dr. Terry Gosliner and the American Museum of Natural History’s Dr. Jessica Goodheart to discover bunny horns, finger backs, stolen weaponry, “buttflowers,” doomed first dates, high fashion, tiny eyes, gender fluidity, “Finding Nemo” cameos, the boardgame you need, and how your phone can warm a scientists heart just by slipping on a windbreaker and looking for beautiful things.

    Visit the Goodheart Lab and follow Dr. Goodheart on Google Scholar

    Visit the Gosliner Slug Lab and follow Dr. Gosliner on Google Scholar

    Donations went to California Academy of Sciences and oSTEM

    More episode sources and links

    Other episodes you may enjoy: Malacology (SNAILS & SLUGS), Oceanology (OCEANS), Cnidariology (CORAL), Medusology (JELLYFISH), Biomineralogy (SHELLS), Zoohoplology (ANIMAL DEFENSES), Ophthalmology (EYES), Optical Technology (HISTORY OF EYEGLASSES + MODERN DAY VISION)

    400+ Ologies episodes sorted by topic

    Smologies (short, classroom-safe) episodes

    Sponsors of Ologies

    Transcripts and bleeped episodes

    Become a patron of Ologies for as little as a buck a month

    OlogiesMerch.com has hats, shirts, hoodies, totes!

    Follow Ologies on Instagram and Bluesky

    Follow Alie Ward on Instagram and TikTok

    Editing by Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio Productions and Jake Chaffee

    Managing Director: Susan Hale

    Scheduling Producer: Noel Dilworth

    Transcripts by Aveline Malek

    Website by Kelly R. Dwyer

    Theme song by Nick Thorburn


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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    1 hr and 24 mins
All stars
Most relevant
Spreading knowledge while retaining a playful attitude. I can’t think of anyone I have encountered that wouldn’t benefit from listening to Ologies. I’m fortunate to have stumbled upon this podcast.

Nails “it”

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I love learning about new topics and now my four year old does too, yay! Must remember to only choose Smologies for him though as the poo segment in the Bufologies episode was proooobably not age appropriate. Oh well. Highly recommend.

I loooooove this podcast

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Ali Ward is a down to earth, inspiring woman who knows her stuff (and is learning more stuff).

She is the woman you want at your dinner party, smart, talented and funny.

Each episode is like going down a YouTube black whole at 2am, informative, cool and gives you a lot of fun facts to sprout at your friends and family for days to come.

Ali Ward is a goddess

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I had great expectations... not for long.
One star taken away for using imperial measures in a supposedly scientific talk.
Three stars taken away for using "Woman, and people assigned female at birth" in a supposedly scientific talk.

What a disappointment

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