The Skeptic

The Skeptic podcast, bringing you the best of the magazine’s expert analysis of pseudoscience, conspiracy theory and claims of the paranormal since its relaunch as online news source in September 2020.

On this episode:

According to a recent announcement from the UK government, under 16s will be banned from social media, starting in Spring 2027. In effect, this raises the legal minimum age to access platforms like Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and X from 13 to 16.

Additionally, lawmakers are considering the introduction of overnight curfews and breaks in infinite ...

Earlier this year, an Indonesian journal of religious studies published an article titled “Influence of Qur’anic Recitation on the Growth Process of Basil Plants.” The authors observed two basil plants: one exposed to Qur’anic recitation and one not. Afte...

This article originally appeared in The Skeptic, Volume 7, Issue 3, from 1993.

Not a sausage, I am sorry to say, did I feel as I placed my hands on the largest of the standing stones that make up the Castlerigg stone circle near Keswick. I stood in communion with the stone, hoping to feel the tingle of ‘Earth energy’. After a few minutes I gave up, ...

I was recently alerted to a lecture discussing how to “double your dog’s lifespan”. It is an understandable topic of interest. Every dog owner wants more time with their companion and, more importantly, we want those extra years to be healthy, comfortable, and with a good quality of life.

However, while the science behind canine longevity is growing and we are under...