Why do people keep secrets—and can a secret actually feel heavy? In this episode of Explain It Like I’m 5, Alex explores the psychology and science of secrets, from little white lies and surprise parties to life-changing revelations and dangerous cover-ups. We break down what a secret really is (information you deliberately hide), why humans are wired to keep and share secrets, and how secrets shape relationships, trust, power, privacy, and identity.

Alex explains the main reasons we keep secrets—fear of judgment, protection, power, privacy, and surprises—and how secrets affect our minds and bodies. You’ll learn how cognitive load, rumination, and loneliness can make secret-keeping mentally exhausting, and how stress hormones like cortisol can make a secret feel physically “heavy.” The episode dives into research showing that people literally perceive hills as steeper when they’re preoccupied with a secret, illustrating the metaphorical “weight of a secret” in a scientific way.

We also look at famous historical secrets (from the Manhattan Project to corporate recipes), secret identities in stories and superheroes, and why gossip spreads so fast. Alex explains the difference between privacy vs. secrecy in relationships, when secrets are healthy, when they’re harmful, and how sharing a secret wisely can feel like lifting a burden. By the end, you’ll see secrets not just as sneaky whispers, but as powerful forces that affect mental health, social connection, and even how heavy the world feels.