The Body of Evidence

Food allergies, specifically peanut allergies have been increasing in children. But key research changed policy and the past 10 years have seen a steady decline. In a rare win for the goodies, we see how science shaped public policy and made things better for a whole generation of children.  Become a supporter of our show today either on Patreon or through PayPal! Thank you! http://www.patreon.com...

In our ongoing quest to become a Grey's Anatomy rewatch podcast, we decided it would be a good idea to kick off the new year with another Grey's Anatomy focused episode.  Our editor, and certified Grey's Anatomy superfan, Robyn Flynn, brings more crazy cases and stories from one of the longest running medical dramas of all time. Could these cases actually happen in real life?! And, if so, how woul...

It’s Part 2 of our end-of-year wrap up. Chris, Sophie, Robyn (behind the camera), and Tobi (wandering around) all join in to answer a potpourri of viewer questions. Also a video bonus for our Patreon members.

It’s Part 1 of our end-of-year wrap up. Chris, Sophie, Robyn (behind the camera), and Tobi (wandering around) all join in to answer a potpourri of viewer questions. Also a video bonus for our Patreon members.

Hallux valgus (bunions) are more common in women than men and high heeled shoes are often blamed. But how much of the problem is environment and how much genetics?   Become a supporter of our show today either on Patreon or through PayPal! Thank you! http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/ https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=9QZET78JZWCZE   Email us your questions at thebodyofevidence...

The global community has agreed to end the use of mercury in dental fillings. But is mercury in your mouth really dangerous and where else is mercury being used in the world?  Become a supporter of our show today either on Patreon or through PayPal! Thank you! http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/ https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=9QZET78JZWCZE   Email us your questions at thebody...

Two new medical mysteries for Chris and Aigul to unpack. Why did this 44-year-old woman with Chron’s disease develop a rash and why did a teenage cyclist with double vision develop an unstable gait?   Become a supporter of our show today either on Patreon or through PayPal! Thank you! http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/ https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=9QZET78JZWCZE   Email us...

Jevin West joins Chris to talk about teaching critical thinking and whether AI is a force for good or a force for evil. Both of them have passed the Turing Test so all fellow humans are welcome.   Become a supporter of our show today either on Patreon or through PayPal! Thank you! http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/ https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=9QZET78JZWCZE   Email us your...

Nick Tiller returns to discuss whether saunas actually have health benefits and possibly completely contradict himself after his previous episode about ice baths. We dig into the data from Kuopio and the Finnish Kuopio Ischemic Heart Disease Risk Factor study and investigate whether there might be some risks associated with saunas.   Become a supporter of our show today either on Patreon or throug...

EPISODE 152 – Why RFK Jr. is wrong to claim that Tylenol causes autism. According to the Wall Street Journal, RFK Jr. and the HHS are planning to release a report claiming acetaminophen (Tylenol/paracetamol) is inked to autism spectrum disorder. The evidence says he’s wrong. Not just because the better quality studies show no link, not just because autism is probably mostly genetic with some minor...

A viewer question prompts Chris and Sophie to look into scrambler therapy. A medical therapy for chronic pain with a silly name that sounds like it should be pseudoscience, but actually isn’t. How is it different from Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)? How good is the evidence and how much of the benefit is actually a placebo response.   Become a supporter of our show today either...

Rodney Schmaltz joins Chris to talk about teaching scientific skepticism to university students. How does learning about Big Foot, debunking photos of fairies, and going on a ghost hunt make you better at debunking pseudoscience? Also, how to speak to believers in pseudoscience without making the other person hate you.   Become a supporter of our show today either on Patreon or through PayPal! Tha...

Leaky Gut Syndrome. Always a favorite of the pseudoscience crowd. But is there any medical validity to the concept. Chris and Sophie look deep into the concept to find out if the diagnosis of Leaky Gut holds water or is just full of holes. Become a supporter of our show today either on Patreon or through PayPal! Thank you! http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/ https://www.paypal.com/donate?hos...

The opening of a new private clinic spurs Chris and Sophie to ask whether Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is real medicine or pseudoscience. How does a magnetic field stimulate the brain and how is this different from electric convulsive therapy (ECT)? Also, a brief digression on One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and other classic movies Sophie has never seen.   Become a supporter of our sho...

How does genetic testing help doctors treat patients? How accurate are private companies like 23andMe? Does knowing your genetic risk help people lead healthier lives or is it just a waste of time and money? Sophie had a bunch of questions about how genetic testing is used in everyday medical practice and Chris was here to answer!   Become a supporter of our show today either on Patreon or through...

Chris and Sophie tackle Radon, the odorless, colorless, tasteless and very toxic gas that is present in about 1 in 5 homes. Why do we care? How do you test for it? What should do about it? And why don’t we talk about it more? Also Sophie’s mind gets blown by a Patron question. Become a supporter of our show today either on Patreon or through PayPal! Thank you! http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevide...

EPISODE 145 – Case Challenge: rare and common cardiac conditions Aigul returns with two new case challenges. The first is a very rare cardiac condition that Chris actually picked up on his first day of work (and made him a superstar for about a week). The other is a very common problem that highlights how difficult medical diagnosis can be in real life.  Become a supporter of our show today either...

Mommy forums are awash with medical misinformation. Robyn is back to discuss why some moms suggest drinking water melon juice instead of sunscreen, using castor oil to treat just about everything, and why most people seem to have forgotten that you shouldn’t give honey to a baby.   Become a supporter of our show today either on Patreon or through PayPal! Thank you! http://www.patreon.com/thebodyof...

Sophie joins Chris to unpack a new study about using stem cell derived cells transplanted into the pancreas of people with Type 1 diabetes. The early results showed 10 of the 12 patients who got the transplant no longer needed insulin. But the therapy comes with some risks because nothing in medicine is risk free. Is there a cure for a diabetes? Is it possible to treat diabetes without changing yo...