Shortwave thinks of science as an invisible force, showing up in your everyday life.

Powering the food you eat, the medicine you use, the tech in your pocket.

Science is approachable because it's already part of your life.

Come explore these connections on the Shortwave podcast from NPR.

Music come explore these connections on the shortwave podcast from NPR. You're listening to Life Kit from NPR.

Hey everybody, it's Mariel.

For a decade plus, when I would get my period, I would have terrible cramps the first day,

and I would just ride it out.

Like I'd be doubled over, unable to leave the house, really.

I tried heating pads, which do help, but for some reason I didn't think I should take a painkiller.

I don't know, I guess I just thought it was safer to go natural.

But then one day when I was maybe 25, I popped an ibuprofen, and then a short time later, the pain was gone.

It would start to creep back up again a little later.

And then I took another, and after that I was over the hump.

My cramps were manageable at that point.

I kind of regretted waiting that long.

I went through so much unnecessary pain.

Pain is a part of the human experience.

We get cramps and aches and migraines.

We burn our hands cooking or trip and sprained an ankle.

And when you're right in the middle of one of these moments

and feeling that pain deep down in your bones,

...