There was a plethora of spectacular beards at the special Brighton Science Festival Catalyst Club on Thursday. Clearly the scientifically minded in Sussex have embraced pogonology as well as the enjoyment of salon-style scientific discussion.

The event adopted the standard Catalyst Club format with three speakers. First up was Professor Erik Millstone, who discussed the use of artificial sweeteners in products. He’s spent years investigating claims they are sugar substitutes and good for dieting. He’s discovered they may, in fact, contribute to an increase in calorie consumption. His advice? Get used to a less sugary diet and avoid artificial sweeteners and sugar.

Archaeologist Matt Pope gave a fascinating talk with some extremely funny visuals about Neanderthal man and woman and how we have perceived them through history. They’ve been considered degenerate, the noble savage and the early hippies. Now DNA shows many modern humans are a hybrid of Neanderthal and other species.

Finally University of Sussex academic Anil Seth investigated oxytocin, dubbed the moral molecule or the love hormone. He explained how there has been excitement about the idea moral feelings and friendly behaviour can be traced to the neuro-active substance. While there is intriguing evidence supporting this idea, things are not quite so simple and oxytocin could also be said to contribute to a host of anti-social behaviour.