Can You Die Of Boredom?

The Rest Is Science

Goalhanger

Physics, Science, Mathematics

4.5 • 1K Ratings

🗓️ 27 January 2026

⏱️ 50 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

What is boredom really, and why does it feel so unbearable? Professor Hannah Fry and Michael Stevens explore the science of boredom, revealing it not as laziness or a lack of stimulation, but as a signal from the brain when prediction and learning grind to a halt. When nothing changes and everything is expected, the mind begins to push back. From dopamine experiments and waiting rooms to sensory deprivation and solitary confinement, they examine how boredom emerges from lost uncertainty and why the brain would rather create discomfort, hallucinations, or anxiety than stop predicting altogether. This episode unpacks the psychology and neuroscience of boredom, showing how surprise drives pleasure, how boredom reshapes behaviour, and why this uneasy emotion may be essential to curiosity, creativity, and human progress. ------------------- For more information about Cancer Research UK, their research, breakthroughs and how you can support them, visit ⁠⁠https://cancerresearchuk.org/restisscience⁠⁠ Cancer Research UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1089464), Scotland (SC041666), the Isle of Man (1103) and Jersey (247). A company limited by guarantee. Registered company in England and Wales (4325234) and the Isle of Man (5713F). Registered address: 2 Redman Place, London, E20 1JQ. ------------------- Find The Rest Is Science all over the internet by ⁠⁠clicking here.⁠⁠ ------------------- Video Producer: Adam Thornton Video & Social: Bex Tyrrell Assistant Producer: Imee Marriott Producer: Becki Hills Senior Producer: Lauren Armstrong-Carter Head Of Digital: Samuel Oakley Exec Producer: Neil Fearn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	This episode is brought to you by Cancer Research UK.
0:08.0	So when most people think of naked mole rats, their unusual relationship to cancer probably isn't the first thing that comes to mind.
0:16.0	But maybe it should be because it is incredibly rare for them to develop cancer, which could be
0:22.4	partly down to their unique immune system, or it might be the way that their cells respond
0:27.8	to damage.
0:28.8	So scientists are studying their biology for its cancer-fighting secrets.
0:33.4	It's a reminder that discoveries can sometimes come from places you don't expect.
0:37.0	Cancer Research UK is the world's largest charitable funder of cancer research.
0:41.3	Thousands of scientists of doctors and nurses work across more than 20 countries
0:45.4	to help turn discoveries in the lab into new tests, new treatments, and new innovations.
0:52.6	And the impact is clear.
0:53.8	Over the past 50 years, the charity's pioneering work has helped double cancer survival in the UK,
1:00.1	meaning more people living longer, better lives free from the fear of cancer.
1:05.5	For more information about Cancer Research UK, their research, their breakthroughs and how you can support them,
1:10.9	visit Cancer Research UK.org forward slash rest is science.
1:15.9	This episode is brought to you by Vanta. Security and compliance done wrong is a headache.
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	...

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