Stories

Our words and pictures explore the connections between science, medicine, life and art. Dive into one no matter where in the world you are.

1-20
  • Comic

Blowing bubbles

Is happiness as fragile as a bubble?

Part of Licence to happiness

  • Serial
Part4

The side effects of lithium mining

Laura Grace Simpkins attempts to untangle some uncomfortable truths about the social and environmental costs of making her medication.

Part of Lithium Mania

  • Photo story

Temporary chroma key memorials

In this imaginary podcast, artist A R Hopwood creates a scene where he interviews his friend and former collaborator ‘Paul’, who died by suicide in 2019.

  • Book extract

Dangers inside and out

Eimear McBride reflects on the deadly consequences of misogyny in the wake of the murder of Sarah Everard and argues why advising women to simply “stay indoors” is wrong.

  • Comic

Affirmations of joy

What positive reminders do you need to find your happy place?

Part of Licence to happiness

  • Serial
Part3

Finding out where my lithium comes from

The origins of the lithium Laura Grace Simpkins swallows daily are unclear. If we don’t know the provenance of our pills, how can we make informed decisions about them?

Part of Lithium Mania

  • Book extract

Solving the mystery of how to be happy

Crime writer Sophie Hannah thinks she might be too happy. Worried she’s using her happiness as an excuse to avoid a big work problem, she turns to a life coach for help.

  • Comic

Pet therapy

Pets can help us stay healthy and happy...if we're allowed to have them.

Part of Licence to happiness

  • Serial
Part2

Investigating what lithium is and how it works

The more questions Laura Grace Simpkins asked about lithium, the more she realised how little is known about this powerful drug and how it affects our mental health.

Part of Lithium Mania

  • Photo story

How wigs help children handle hair loss

For young people who lose their hair during cancer treatment, a wig can make them feel normal again. Carmel King photographs some of the processes and people involved with a charity providing beautiful human-hair wigs for kids.

  • Comic

Ignorance is bliss

Switching off to reality isn't always as easy as breathing in and out.

Part of Licence to happiness

  • Serial
Part1

Diagnosed bipolar, prescribed lithium

In the first part of a series looking into lithium, Laura Grace Simpkins recounts the beginning of her troubled relationship with this mysterious drug.

Part of Lithium Mania

  • In pictures

Ludwig Guttmann and the birth of the Paralympics

As millions across the world enjoy this year’s Paralympics, discover how the Paralympian movement started life – with an event held by the visionary neurosurgeon Ludwig Guttmann.

  • Comic

Fake happy

A fake smile can lead to feelings of happiness...and exhaustion.

Part of Licence to happiness

  • Podcast
  • Serial
Part1

Hope

In the first episode of our podcast series ‘Hello Happiness’, Bidisha explores our emotions – focusing on hope – with a diverse range of scientists, historians, artists and activists.

Part of Hello Happiness

  • In pictures

How DNA’s spirals help us understand the shape of life

Twisting across our screens, the double helix of DNA is an icon of our age. And visualising microscopic structures is integral to our understanding of science, as Charlotte Sleigh reveals.

  • Comic

Dancing in the dark

Joy is...dancing like the world isn't watching.

Part of Licence to happiness

  • Article

Between two summers

As Michael Malay tends his allotment, absorbing all the sensations of his surroundings, he finds the repetition of work calms the mind.

Part of Feeling Through Nature

  • Article

Finding my body through the wilderness

Writer Jennifer Neal used vigorous exercise classes to try and heal herself in the years following an assault. But it was only while hiking outdoors that she found true strength.

Part of Feeling Through Nature

  • Article

On nature cures and taking the waters

When chilly outdoor swims began to chip away at her depression, Jessica J Lee was drawn to a closer study of the complex natural world around her.

Part of Feeling Through Nature