Since 2006, the weekly Skeptoid podcast has been taking on all the most popular urban legends and revealing the true science, true history, and true lessons we can learn from each. Skeptoid is a listener supported501(c)(3) nonprofit. Learn more
These tests that promise to easily detect cancer with a blood test are fraught with profound accuracy errors.
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Recent Programs
The Floating Mob Bodies of Lake Mead Episode 1062, October 13, 2026 Las Vegas mob lore clings thick to human remains found as Lake Mead's water level recedes. But is it truly mob secrets that are being revealed or perhaps something a bit more nuanced?
Hunting the Pictish Beast Episode 1061, October 6, 2026 Did this mysterious carved beast — the most common object on the Pictish standing stones — ever actually live?
Do You Have Cortisol Belly? Episode 1059, September 22, 2026 Wellness influencers promise to sell you supplements to reduce your cortisol, and thus reduce your weight — even though it doesn't work that way.
The 1973 Mansfield UFO Encounter Episode 1057, September 8, 2026 Four men in an Air National Guard helicopter had a terrifying UFO encounter in the skies above Ohio.
The Mystery of the Nazca Lines Episode 1056, September 1, 2026 The true origin and purpose of Peru's famous Nazca Lines.
Caught in the Feedback Loop Episode 1055, August 25, 2026 We dive into the Skeptoid mailbag to find your best listener feedback.
Let Yourself Get Scammed Episode 1054, August 18, 2026 It turns out that having zero fraud in society is not necessarily a goal that would serve the general good. Why not?
Recovered Memory Therapy Episode 1053, August 11, 2026 Some say you might have repressed memories that you know nothing about — but that might be discovered and recovered therapeutically. Is this a real thing?
Is CERN Altering Reality? Episode 1052, August 4, 2026 What's really behind CERN's Large Hadron Collider's third planned shutdown?
The Humble Pie Report Episode 1051, July 28, 2026 Once again, we issue your corrections to errors made in previous Skeptoid episodes.
Does Torture Work? Episode 1050, July 21, 2026 The question of whether torture is ever justified must take a back seat to the more important question: Is it effective at producing useful intelligence?
The Many Worlds of Reality Shifting Episode 1049, July 14, 2026 Is this new technique to move your consciousness into another world anything more than just vivid imagination? Maybe.
The Pirates of Cozumel Episode 1047, June 30, 2026 Popular tales claim that pirates used the island of Cozumel as a base of operations. History tells us pretty much the exact opposite.
The Case of the Impossible Satellites Episode 1046, June 23, 2026 Are alien spacecraft truly the best explanation for "transient" dots found on old telescope photographs?
Balanced Literacy and the Reading Wars Episode 1045, June 16, 2026 What was the real cause of the drop in English-speaking literacy rates between 1980 and 2020?
Red Light Therapy Episode 1044, June 9, 2026 Usually, wellness therapies that claim to treat everything actually treat nothing.
The Men Who Walk Through Walls Episode 1043, June 2, 2026 The real story behind the CIA spending $20 million on PROJECT STARGATE to study psychics.
On the Trail of the Rougarou Episode 1042, May 26, 2026 All about Louisiana's mysterious swamp werewolf of legend...
Full Moon Myths Episode 1041, May 19, 2026 A round-up of plausible-sounding myths about the Moon, most of which you've probably heard, and some of which you might believe.
Food Dyes Episode 1040, May 12, 2026 Some say artificial food dyes are killing us. The truth is a lot more nuanced.
Chemtrails: Still Haven't Blown Away Episode 1039, May 5, 2026 The more years go by, the more Americans believe that ordinary airliners are secretly spraying chemicals for some hidden nefarious purpose.
Multi-Cancer Detection: Panacea or Problem?
