Welcome back to the Information Entropy Podcast where this week we are hunkering down into the cold weather and asking how other species cope with it as well. Mitch takes a deep dive into hibernation, the biology and physiology behind it, as well as what separates it from other bouts of lowered metabolic rate such as torpor (see episode for various pronunciations of that). Tom takes a look at the wood frog and how it survives being 65% frozen each winter and other amazing strategies. Otherwise, the boys tangent their way around the topic as usual, eventually getting to where they meant to be! Music: HOME – AWAY

Welcome back to the Information Entropy Podcast where this week we are continuing our exploration of addiction! Last week we covered the mechanisms of substance use disorders and behavioural addictions but this week we focus on the interaction between neurodivergence (Autism Spectrum Disorder and ADHD) and addiction, why some people might be more vulnerable than others, and the nature of video game behavioural addiction. Tom then opens the debate on whether people suffering from addiction actually have a choice or whether the behavioural and biological mechanisms are so far gone that their choice is made for them. Music: HOME – AWAY

This week on The Information Entropy Podcast, we dig into what addiction actually is — beyond the stereotypes. We explore the difference between chemical dependence and behavioural addictions, trace how our understanding has shifted from the old “just say no” model to a modern brain-based view, and look at why teenagers and young adults are particularly vulnerable. It’s science, it’s storytelling, and as always, it’s us waffling about random things while trying our hardest to stay on track. Music: HOME – AWAY