The Body of Evidence

Chris and Jonathan speak to coach René Dreifuss, the founder of Radical MMA in New York City and the co-host of the Martial Culture podcast, which has been described as “NPR for mixed martial arts nerds.” Medicine has had to wrestle with figuring out what works and what doesn’t over the years; so have the martial arts. From claims of manipulating your opponent’s qi in a fight to no-holds-barred Kr...

What does the body of evidence have to say on the topic of obesity? Plus: the on-going downfall of Didier Raoult, purveyor of hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19, which dovetails into discussions about the Hongcheng magic liquid, the Galileo gambit, gluten and the backfire effect. And Chris answers listeners’ questions about genomics and cardiology and a syndrome called POTS.   Block 1: Obesity myths:...

Jonathan and Chris speak to Natália Pasternak, PhD, the director of the Question of Science Institute. In trying to come to grips with COVID-19, Brazil was rocked by scandals involving research performed without consent and doctors being forced to prescribe treatment kits full of “miracle cures.” This led Pasternak to state that medicine in Brazil is effectively unregulated and to call for the imp...

What does the body of evidence have to say on the topic of endometriosis? Plus: Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine is authorized for children ages 5-11, and we go over why an aspirin a day is no longer suggested for many older adults.   Block 1: Endometriosis: what it is and what might be causing it (2:59)   Block 2: Endometriosis: risk factors, how common it is, diagnosis, treatments (8:37)   Block 3: FDA...

Chris and Jonathan speak to Effie Greathouse, Ph. D., the co-founder of the website Fluoride Exposed dedicated to explaining the science of fluoride and water fluoridation to the public.   2:30 What is Fluoride Exposed? 3:54 Why we put fluoride in drinking water 10:15 Fluoride-free toothpaste 12:00 Arguments against fluoridation 14:00 Fluoride and IQ 21:51 Effie’s origin story and mom groups onlin...

What does the body of evidence have to say on the topic of blood pressure? Plus: what seems to be causing multiple chemical sensitivity, and we come face to face with the difficulty of deciding if an activity is risky or not when you’re fully vaccinated.   Block 1: Blood pressure: what the numbers mean (2:27)   Block 2: Blood pressure: should you treat it, what to aim for, how to treat it, how bes...

Chris and Jonathan speak to two guests about the slow collapse of the body of evidence on ivermectin for COVID-19, with a particular focus on the oft-cited Elgazzar randomized controlled trial. Their first guest is Jack Lawrence, a Master’s student and disinformation researcher, who took the Elgazzar paper apart, finding evidence of plagiarism and of potential data fraud. Their second guest is Gid...

Previously, on the Body of Evidence: Jonathan asked Chris to rank medical specialties from super-amazing to garbage! As Chris finds himself lounging on a beach in Greece, we release the conclusion to this special episode. You will learn so much about pathology, cardiology and other specialties, and you will finally hear which branches of medicine Chris thinks are GARBAGE! (sort of… for him… ‘cause...

What does the body of evidence have to say on the topic of ergonomics? Plus: should a maker of vaping products have bought out an entire issue of an academic journal to publish its studies, and we answer questions from our listeners about osteoporosis and COVID contrarians.   Block 1: Ergonomics: carpal tunnel syndrome and ergonomic keyboards (2:09)   Block 2: Ergonomics: work breaks, arm supports...

Jonathan and Chris speak to Dr. Lindsay Duncan, a kinesiologist and co-director of the Theories and Interventions in Exercise and Health Psychology laboratory at McGill University. In light of the upcoming Summer Olympics, what are banned substances and why are they banned? How common is supplement use among athletes? And do superhero movies—with actors undergoing dramatic body transformations in...

What does the body of evidence have to say on the topic of fibromyalgia? Plus: assorted topical discussions about mixing COVID vaccines, the tiny/maybe/it’s nothing increased risk of myocarditis and pericarditis with the RNA vaccines, and long-term immunity following COVID vaccination.   Block 1: Fibromyalgia: what could be causing it? (3:00)   Block 2: Fibromyalgia: diagnosing and treating it (10...

Chris and Jonathan speak to Dean Tania Bubela from Simon Fraser University, an expert on scientific innovations and intellectual property. The big question: as we try to get COVID-19 vaccines into more arms and in a more equitable fashion worldwide, should the patents pharmaceutical companies have on these vaccines be lifted? And what would a better system look like when the next pandemic hits us?...

Liver disease (2:29 for part 1, 11:13 for part 2) // sleep disorder (28:42) // The omega-3 war (41:55), coffee and colorectal cancer (45:37), and RNA vaccines and myocarditis (48:44).   * Jingle by Jillian Correia of Roctavio Canada * Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl . * Assistant researcher: Nicholas Koziris   To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at:...

Jonathan and Chris delve into the world of newborns and medical care for children with Dr. Clay Jones, a paediatrician who practices in Massachusetts and who regularly writes for the Science-Based Medicine blog. From preventing SIDS to treating a fever (or not), we go through our listeners’ questions. In a week, our patrons will get a bonus episode with more from Clay!   2:04 COVID-19 vaccines in...

Menopause: definition, early menopause, hot flashes, gabapentin, clonidine, CBT, mindfulness, exercising, phytoestrogens, black cohosh, acupuncture, and hormone replacement therapy // Magic mushrooms versus antidepressants // A rant about merchants of doubt   * Jingle by Joseph Hackl * Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl . * Assistant researcher: Nicholas Koziris   To contribute...

Car safety: the evidence behind seatbelts, air bags, booster seats, winter tires, and turning right on red // the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine saga, with the risk of blood clots explained // the claim that 1 in 3 people with COVID-19 will develop a neuropsychiatric condition.   * Jingle by Jillian Correia of Roctavio Canada * Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl . * Assistant res...

Chris and Jonathan discuss Australia’s COVID-19 response with epidemiologist Gideon Meyerowitz-Katz and compare it to Canada’s. Do lockdowns work? Are school closures necessary? Have we learned anything about how to manage a pandemic? The answers often turn out to be, “It depends….”   1:47 Gid in the eye of the European storm 3:45 Australia’s immediate response to COVID-19 5:52 Canada’s jet-lagged...

In this special episode, Jonathan asks Chris to rank medical specialties from super-amazing to garbage! You totally won’t believe the specialty he ranks at the very top! But hey, while he’s ranking them, you might learn a thing or two about what these different breeds of doctors do! The recording ran long, so we’re splitting this into two episodes. Part 2 will be released at some point in the futu...

UTIs: sex differences / antibiotics / self-diagnosis / cranberry juice / probiotics / D-mannose / drinking water / peeing after sex / contraception / topical estrogen. iPhone 12’s effect on pacemakers and implanted defibrillators. COVID-19 vaccines: Johnson & Johnson’s / AstraZeneca’s / variants / scams.   * Jingle by Joseph Hackl * Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl . * Assist...

Jonathan and Chris discuss the impact of racism within the Canadian healthcare system with Dr. OmiSoore Dryden, an associate professor at Dalhousie University and the current holder of the James R. Johnston Chair in Black Canadian Studies. They talk about the effect of the pandemic on minorities and racialized groups, and why there’s more to Africa than elephants.   1:58 A Chair in Black Canadian...

Changing lifestyle habits: advertising, taxes, behavioural counselling, incentives, text messages, apps, scared straight, genetic information, city design // Delaying the second COVID-19 vaccine dose // COVID-19 update: colchicine, rapid tests, children and variants.   * Jingle by Jillian Correia of Roctavio Canada * Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl . * Assistant researcher:...

Chris and Jonathan discuss expertise and intellectual humility with Alan Levinovitz, a professor of religion, frequent guest on A User’s Guide to Cheating Death , and the author of the book Natural . As facts, arguments, and content flood our attention, how can we know whom to trust when our health is at stake? This month’s drinking game revolves around the word “adjudicate.” Drink responsibly!  ...

Jonathan and Chris take the time to go over the data on COVID-19 vaccines and to answer the many, many questions they have received about them.   * Cover of “Ooh Child” by Joseph Hackl * Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl . * Assistant researcher: Nicholas Koziris * Special guest star: Morgan Sweeney of the Magic of the Mind podcast   To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go t...

Breast implants: reasons why, the (not so) good old days of regulatory freedom, benefits, risks, silicone vs. saline; the fear of statin side effects; a very special kind of cat video.   * Jingle by Joseph Hackl * Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl . * Assistant researcher: Nicholas Koziris   To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.c...

Jonathan talks with Matthew Remski, the co-host of the Conspirituality podcast, on the merger between the worlds of spirituality and of grand conspiracy theories. The COVID-19 pandemic has been accompanied by a rise in people who believe that nothing is as it seems, that everything is connected, and that the world is on the verge of a major awakening. Matthew himself once trusted his intuitive kno...