Episode 12 – Bee pollen is one of those hippy things

To celebrate the return of the warm(ish) weather, we discuss a paper looking at immune responses to bee venom, and the underlying causes of environmental allergy. In doing so, we focus in on the mast cell – the immune mediators of allergy and anaphylaxis – and why they may actually be helpful in helping you (or your more worm-exposed ancestors) fight off intestinal parasites. Ever wonder where histamines come from? Why your skin turns red when you scratch it? Why you should never take bee pollen as a supplement? What eosinophils and basophils are? Well we can’t answer that last one, but for the rest, give a listen!