Minds Matter, Ep. 6: Your Mind On The Pill

The birth control pill, as its name suggests, influences the body's functioning to prevent pregnancy. But swallowing hormones doesn't only affect what's happening in your nether-regions - it can also change what's happening in the mind. Hormonal contraceptives seem to have possible effects on memory, mood, and even who we are attracted to. But how consistent is the research, really? Spoiler alert: not very. This week, Beth and Ava try to untangle the complicated web of research on psychology, hormones, neuroscience, and even some genetics. And Beth stops Ava from having an existential crisis on the meaning of the self.