Sodium bicarbonate—God's own dandruff—might be humanity's most overlooked miracle substance. From ancient Egyptian cat owners to modern apartment dwellers, this magical powder has quietly solved problems across millennia while barely changing its humble form.
When grief hits and the world feels impossibly messy, baking soda remains steady and reliable. After losing my cat Owen after fifteen years together, I found myself in that strange liminal space where apartments get filthy seemingly by themselves and everyday tasks feel insurmountable. Yet this simple powder offered both practical solutions and metaphorical comfort—something unchanging in a world where everything else feels temporary.
The magic extends beyond cleaning. Those painful canker sores that plagued me since getting braces? A simple paste of baking soda and water provides remarkable relief. Breathing troubles from a deviated septum? A nasal irrigation solution with baking soda works wonders. What other substance can clean your microwave, soothe your wounds, and help you breathe better?
But deeper philosophical questions lurk beneath these practical applications. Our brains, optimized for survival rather than thriving, perceive only about three percent of what's happening around us. We tell ourselves stories about reality that may have little connection to what's occurring. Perhaps baking soda's greatest gift is its straightforward reliability in a world where very little makes sense and even less stays the same.
Whether you're struggling with grief, seeking natural remedies, or simply wanting to clean more effectively, this episode explores how simplicity often trumps complexity. What ancient wisdom might we rediscover by embracing basic solutions? And what might the humble box of baking soda in your pantry teach you about resilience, adaptability, and finding order amid chaos?
The beauty of practicality. The complexities of grief. The urgency of the mundane. The joy of breathing.
Emerson Dameron's Medicated Minutes is a production of KCHUNG.
Music by Visions of the Universe. Inspiration from The Baking Soda Bible. Written, performed, produced, and created by Emerson Dameron, who is solely responsible for its content.