The Dose

GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic are proven effective for type 2 diabetes and weight management. Researchers are now exploring their potential to reduce heart, kidney, liver, and even Alzheimer’s disease risks. But experts, including obesity specialist Dr. Sean Wharton, warn against off-label use. He breaks down the latest research and what the future might hold. For transcripts of The Dose, ple...

TED Health is a podcast from TED that shares interviews, stories, and TED Talks that will help you better understand your health. You can learn the latest ideas on what exercise does to your brain, whether or not psychedelics can treat depression, why your body fights weight loss, and more.  In this episode: You’re just one exam away from a relaxing spring break. But you still have so much to...

As a growing number of Canadians use AI, physician groups like the Ontario Medical Association are warning against using it for medical help. Family physician Dr. Danielle Martin explains how AI chatbots can be useful, but risky when it comes to personal medical advice. For transcripts of The Dose, please visit:  lnk.to/dose-transcripts . Transcripts of each episode will be made available by...

The Dose is still on summer break, but we've curated some of our most popular episodes to make your summer a little healthier. In this double-episode, we explore what the research shows about the benefits of creatine supplements, as well what we can do now to live longer and healthier. 

The Dose is still on summer break, but we've curated some of our most popular episodes to make your summer a little healthier. In this double-episode, we explore how women can have better sex, as well as how heat affects women's bodies. For transcripts of The Dose, please visit:  lnk.to/dose-transcripts . Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. For more episode...

Recreational cannabis has become increasingly potent since Canada legalized it in 2018. That means intense and longer-lasting highs. Psychiatrist Dr. Philip Tibbo sheds light on what high-potency cannabis is, its physical and mental effects, and how to safely consume the drug. For transcripts of The Dose, please visit: lnk.to/dose-transcripts. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by...

Wildfire smoke can feel unavoidable during summer in Canada, and that's on top of the air pollution that most cities experience during warmer months. Respirologist Dr. Chris Carlsten, head of University of British Columbia's Air Pollution Exposure Lab, explains how poor air quality affects our health, and how masks and air filters can help. For transcripts of The Dose, please visit:  lnk.to/d...

To live longer, healthier lives, we need to eat a balanced diet, get enough exercise and sleep, and go easy on the alcohol. While the solutions are simple, building healthy habits is more complicated. Dr. Eric Topol, director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute and author of Super Agers: An Evidence-Based Approach to Longevity, explains why we should aim for a long "healthspan" versus...

Just Asking, hosted by Saroja Coelho, takes audience questions about major news and trends, then invites experts to give you the answers needed to make better decisions in your life. In this episode: Drugs like ketamine, MDMA and psilocybin are being looked at as possible treatments for depression, anxiety and PTSD. And while there’s a growing appetite from patients to explore these opti...

Cosmetics are a big business. But while many brands promise to beautify and rejuvenate, it's not always clear whether their makeup products and creams actually benefit our skin. Dermatologist Dr. Renee Beach explains how some cosmetics, including anti-aging creams, can improve skin health, but says not to believe everything you read on the label.   For transcripts of The Dose, please visit:&n...

Former U.S. president Joe Biden's advanced prostate cancer has raised some questions, like how it could have gone undiagnosed for so long, and what the future holds. Dr. Laurence Klotz, chief of urology at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, explains how prostate cancer is diagnosed, why some forms are more aggressive than others, and the extensive array of treatments available.   For transcri...

We think of varicose veins as something that happens mostly to older people. It turns out the slow-moving condition usually begins at a much younger age. Dr. Varun Kapila is a vascular surgeon and president of the Canadian Society for Vascular Surgery. He says there are a few lifestyle factors that can reduce the chances of getting varicose veins — or at least slow their progression. For transcrip...

Seasonal allergy sufferers who've noticed their symptoms getting worse aren't imagining things. Due mostly to the effects of climate change, but also urban planning, seasonal allergies are more intense. Dr. Anne Ellis, chair of the division of allergy and immunology at Queen's University, explains why you're suffering more, and that allergy treatments are offering new hope.   For transcripts...

A new miracle cure-all has been making the rounds on social media, promising that people who take methylene blue can improve their mood and cognition. Some TikTok videos even suggest the synthetic dye could be used to treat cancer. Joe Schwarcz, director of McGill's Office for Science and Society, explains there’s little evidence to suggest methylene blue is useful outside of very specific circums...

U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently spoke of an autism "epidemic" when he announced "a massive testing and research effort" to investigate potential causes. But as developmental pediatrician Dr. Melanie Penner explains, the rise in diagnoses reflects broader recognition of the signs and symptoms, rather than increased prevalence. And that, she says, means more people are getting t...

Whole-body deodorants are the latest fad designed to mask our scent, but not everyone agrees that body odour is a bad thing. Sarah Everts, Carleton University associate professor and author of The Joy of Sweat: The Strange Science of Perspiration, explains why we smell, why we should pause before applying whole-body deodorant, and why we should chill a little when it comes to BO. For transcripts o...

Much of the federal election campaign’s focus has been on the U.S. But health care is always on the minds of Canadians. So what are the federal government’s responsibilities when it comes to health care — especially when 6.5 million Canadians don't have a family doctor or a nurse practitioner? Amélie Quesnel-Vallée explains. She's a McGill professor and Canada Research Chair in Policies and Health...

A third of Canadians have at least one tattoo, but it's not without risk. While uncommon, tattoos can cause allergies and infections. Some studies have also found an association between tattoo ink and cancer. McGill University dermatologist Dr. Elena Netchiporouk explains how tattoos can cause an allergic reaction, and could potentially increase the risk of certain cancers, though more research is...

Nearly half of Canadians have experienced increased anxiety over the last month, according to a new survey from Mental Health Research Canada. Top reasons are the rising cost of living and political uncertainty in the U.S. University of Toronto Scarborough distinguished professor of psychology Zindel Segal explains why we tune into negative news and how we can manage stress brought on by uncontrol...

It’s a stressful world out there. And one way some people quiet it down is taking medications like Lorazepam, Xanax, or Valium. They're called Benzodiazepines and their use and misuse has become a plotline in the popular TV series The White Lotus and The Pitt. University of British Columbia's clinical assistant professor and addictions medicine specialist Dr. Paxton Bach explains the benefits and...

Hair loss, also known as alopecia, affects roughly 40 per cent of women by the age of 50, and some research suggests the number increases post-menopause. Toronto dermatologist Dr. Renee A. Beach explains why many women experience alopecia, and offers advice on how to slow down hair loss. For transcripts of The Dose, please visit:  lnk.to/dose-transcripts . Transcripts of each episode will be...

Creatine is a naturally occurring compound that provides energy to our muscles and brain, but it also comes in supplement form. It's long been used by athletes and bodybuilders, but now some research suggests it may also improve cognition. Darren Candow, professor and director of the University of Regina's Aging Muscle and Bone Health Laboratory, explains the science behind creatine's&nb...

Measles is on the rise, highlighting how a disease considered eliminated in Canada is making a comeback. Though there have long been sporadic cases, recent dramatic outbreaks are worrying people like infectious diseases specialist Dr. Sumon Chakrabarti. He explains why more people are getting measles and urges Canadians to get vaccinated to stay protected. For transcripts of The Dose, please visit...

Many smokers turn to nicotine gums, patches or lozenges to try and kick the habit. But now, experts say that some non-smokers are using those products to boost attention and fine motor skills. They're doing so despite studies showing that nicotine is as addictive as cocaine or heroin. Steven Laviolette, a professor in the Schulich School of Medicine at Western University, expla...

 If you're noticing people around you sniffling, coughing or sneezing, it could well be the flu. Public health data show that flu cases make up almost a quarter of all respiratory viruses circulating in Canada. Infectious diseases specialist Dr. Zain Chagla explains why cases are so high right now, and why you should consider getting a flu shot if you haven't already. For transcripts of...