Beyond the Buzz

Sunscreen advice can feel surprisingly complicated. One message says to use it daily. Another raises concerns about ingredients, vitamin D, absorption, or whether sunscreen really prevents skin cancer at all. In this episode of Beyond the Buzz, Dr. Tara Moroz looks at sunscreen use through a calmer, evidence-informed lens. You’ll hear how public-health guidance frames sunscreen as one part of sun...

Ultra-processed foods are everywhere in modern eating, from packaged snacks and sweetened cereals to soft drinks, instant noodles, and ready-to-heat meals. But are they seriously harmful, or has the conversation become another food panic? In this episode of Beyond the Buzz, Dr. Tara Moroz looks at what the evidence says about ultra-processed foods and health, and why the answer is more useful than...

After 24 episodes of Beyond the Buzz, this reflection episode steps back to look at the bigger pattern behind health, wellness, technology, and culture trends. Instead of asking whether every trend “works,” this episode asks a more practical question: is it actually worth the time, money, attention, or mental energy it asks from us? Across topics like wearables, sleep tracking, glucose monitors, s...

Questions about sex, desire, satisfaction, and relationship change can carry a lot of quiet pressure. How often should adults be having sex? Does desire always fade in long-term relationships? And when does a “dead bedroom” reflect a real problem versus a common shift across age, stress, health, partnership, and life stage? In this episode of Beyond the Buzz, Dr. Tara Moroz takes a calm, evidence-...

Peptides are showing up in conversations about muscle growth, anti-aging, and recovery after exercise — often with the promise of a more targeted way to improve health or performance. In this episode of Beyond the Buzz, Dr. Tara Moroz looks at what makes peptide claims so appealing, why the category can be confusing, and how to think more clearly about the difference between specific uses and broa...

Seed oils have become one of the most debated ingredients in everyday food conversations. Oils like canola, soybean, corn, and sunflower oil are often framed as inflammatory, harmful, or something people should avoid entirely. But does that claim hold up when we look at the broader evidence? In this episode of Beyond the Buzz, Dr. Tara Moroz looks at the tension behind the seed oil debate: why the...

Continuous glucose monitoring, or CGM, is no longer only discussed in diabetes care. It is increasingly marketed as a tool for understanding metabolism, personalizing food choices, and getting real-time feedback on how the body responds to everyday habits. But does using a CGM meaningfully improve metabolic health for people without diabetes? In this episode of Beyond the Buzz, Dr. Tara Moroz look...

How much does money really matter for happiness—and is there a number that makes life feel “enough”? In this episode, we look at what the evidence actually shows about income, wellbeing, and the experience of daily life. While money can reduce financial stress and improve stability, the relationship with happiness is more nuanced than many headlines suggest. You’ll hear how changes in income relat...

Direct-to-consumer genetic tests promise to tailor your diet to your DNA — offering a more personalized approach to nutrition. But how much of that promise holds up under scrutiny? In this episode, we take a closer look at what happens when genetic insights are used to guide everyday food choices. You’ll hear what current research suggests about whether DNA-based recommendations actually change be...

Detox cleanses are everywhere — from juice programs to supplements promising to “reset” your body. But what do they actually do? In this episode, we look at the difference between commercial detox cleanses and the body’s natural detoxification systems. You’ll learn how your liver, kidneys, and digestive system continuously process and eliminate substances — and what the evidence says about whether...

Deciding whether to participate in clinical research is something more people are encountering — but it’s rarely a simple yes or no. In this episode, we explore how people make decisions about joining clinical trials and other types of research. While many people are aware that studies exist, far fewer ever take part — raising important questions about what influences those decisions. You’ll hear...

Health advice is everywhere online — often shared by influencers who feel relatable, honest, and real. But what does authenticity actually mean when it comes to health information? In this episode, we take a closer look at influencer-driven health advice and how it shapes what people believe, trust, and act on. You’ll learn how personal stories, relatability, and repeated exposure can influence de...

Stress, cortisol, and weight gain are often linked in simple, confident ways. But how clear is that connection? In this episode, we unpack what research actually shows about stress, cortisol patterns, and body weight. You’ll hear how different types of studies approach this question, what “association” really means, and why results can vary depending on how cortisol is measured. We explore where t...

What makes a wellness practice feel like it’s working? In this episode, we explore placebo and context effects — and how expectation, ritual, and human interaction can shape what people experience during wellness practices. You’ll learn what the evidence suggests about where these effects are most noticeable, where they are more limited, and why it can be difficult to separate the impact of a spec...

GLP-1 medications like semaglutide and tirzepatide have changed how many people think about weight management. But what happens after stopping them is less often discussed—and often misunderstood. In this episode, we look at what the evidence shows about weight regain after discontinuing GLP-1–based medications. You’ll hear how findings from systematic reviews and randomized trials compare continu...

Self-care is often presented as the answer to burnout. Rest more. Exercise. Set boundaries. Optimize your routine. But what does the research actually show? In this episode, we look at how burnout has been studied, what self-care strategies can realistically achieve, and where the limits appear. You’ll hear what systematic reviews have found about individual approaches, how outcomes are typically...

Digital detoxes are everywhere — from phone-free weekends to app blockers and screen-time limits. They promise better focus, improved mood, and a healthier relationship with technology. But what actually happens when people reduce their screen use? In this episode of Beyond the Buzz, we take a calm, evidence-informed look at digital detoxes and screen-time reduction strategies. You’ll hear what re...

Wearable health monitors are everywhere — from watches and rings to apps that track sleep, steps, heart rate, and daily movement. They promise insight, motivation, and better health decisions. But does tracking your data actually lead to lasting change? In this episode, we examine what research says about wearable devices and self-tracking behaviors. Do they meaningfully increase physical activity...

Step counts are one of the most tracked health metrics in the world. From smartwatches to fitness apps, daily numbers can feel like a clear measure of whether you’ve “done enough.” But where did common step goals come from — and what does research actually show about movement and health? In this episode, we look at how step tracking became so widespread, why the 10,000-step target stuck, and what...

Red-light therapy devices are everywhere in fitness spaces, from glowing gym panels to sleek at-home recovery tools. They promise faster muscle recovery, less soreness, and better performance, all with minimal effort. But how well do those claims hold up when you look closely at the research? In this episode of Beyond the Buzz, we explore what red-light therapy is, why it has become so popular, an...

Cold plunging is often described as a fast way to feel better mentally — a jolt of clarity, calm, or emotional reset. Social media is full of icy tubs, frozen lakes, and personal stories that make the practice look transformative. But what does research actually show about cold exposure and mood? In this episode, we look at the evidence behind cold-water immersion and mental wellbeing. We explore...

AI chatbots are increasingly used for emotional support, stress relief, and mental health guidance. For some people, these tools feel accessible, private, and always available — especially when traditional care is hard to reach. But what does the evidence actually show about their impact? In this episode, we look at the growing use of AI chatbots for mental health support and what research says ab...

AI tools are becoming a common place to turn when health questions come up. They’re fast, conversational, and often sound confident — which can feel reassuring in moments of uncertainty. But how reliable are the answers they give? In this episode, we take a closer look at what the evidence says about AI-generated health information. We explore how people are using chatbots for health questions, wh...

Daily supplements promising more energy are everywhere — from morning routine videos to brightly packaged “daily boost” formulas. But do these products actually deliver what they claim? In this episode of Beyond the Buzz, we take a closer look at the science behind energy supplements and why they’ve become such a dominant wellness trend. You’ll learn how the body produces energy at a cellular leve...

When something feels uncertain about our health, many of us reach for the fastest available answer. A quick search can feel reassuring at first — but for some people, it can also fuel more worry, more checking, and more distress. In this episode, we explore the psychological need for certainty and how it influences the way people seek health information online. You’ll learn how common online healt...