Why do airplanes make you gassy?

#211 Melissa and Jam delve into the chemistry behind increased flatulence on airplanes. They explore how changes in air pressure affect gas expansion in the human body, leading to more frequent gas release during flights. The discussion covers the physiology of high altitude flatus expulsion (HAFE), personal anecdotes, and practical advice for managing this phenomenon. Additionally, they touch on how airplane cabin air is regulated and hint at more topics related to airplane air quality in the next episode. 00:00 The Unpleasant Reality of Airplane Odors 01:02 Introducing the Chemistry Behind Airplane Gas 01:51 Meet the Hosts and Episode Dedication 02:30 Listener's Question: Why So Gassy on Flights? 03:47 Exploring Air Pressure and Gas Expansion 05:59 The Science of Airplane Cabin Pressure 15:02 Personal Stories and Practical Examples 18:15 Balancing Safety and Comfort in Airplane Cabin Pressure 19:33 The Impact of Carbon Filters on Airplane Seats 20:02 Personal Anecdotes: The Struggles of Holding in Gas 22:53 The Science Behind Gas Pain and Altitude Sickness 29:53 Travel Tips and Memorable Plane Stories 34:41 Wrapping Up and Listener Engagement ? Support this podcast on Patreon ? ? Buy Podcast Merch and Apparel ? Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com Watch our episodes on YouTube Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife References from this episode: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/air-space-magazine/how-things-work-cabin-pressure-2870604/ https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-airplane-windows-dont/#:~:text=Gravity%20tends%20to%20keep%20air,hypoxia%2C%20or%20lack%20of%20oxygen. https://cen.acs.org/safety/consumer-safety/Periodic-Graphics-chemistry-airplane-air/102/i26 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK207472/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hM9P1_Xuayk&t=1s https://www.acs.org/catalyzing-change/when-a-good-relationship-turns-toxic-ozone-on-airplanes.html https://www.grc.nasa.gov/www/k-12/UEET/StudentSite/dynamicsofflight.html https://www.smithsonianmag.com/air-space-magazine/how-things-work-cabin-pressure-287060