In Good Health
Each week, In Good Health, from the creators of Radio Health Journal, breaks down important news in medicine, science and technology with the help of world-renowned experts. Our three weekly segments will help guide you to a happier, healthier life – with some fun facts to share at dinner parties. Can magic mushrooms cure your depression? Have we outrun natural selection?
Hosted by Elizabeth Westfield, Greg Johnson and Maayan Voss de Bettancourt and produced by Kristen Farrah and Amirah Zaveri. New shows posted each Sunday by 5 a.m. EST. Subscribe, listen, and rate. If you’re looking for older episodes, you can find our entire segment catalog on our website ingoodhealthpodcast.org. Also, check out the latest on FB, IG, X, and YouTube @ingoodhealthpod.
1226
Leprosy in the Modern Era
Thanks in part to its Biblical past, the disfiguring disease leprosy carries more stigma than most diseases. We hear little about it today, but it still exists, and because it’s now treatable, often the stigma is worse than the disease. An expert...
12 min
1227
MDMA for PTSD
People suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder often can’t face their trauma, which is necessary for psychotherapy to work. It is a big reason PTSD is so difficult to treat. Scientists are leading clinical trials into the use of the banned...
17 min
1228
The Surprising Importance of Tickling
Tickling is a unique application of the sense of touch that surprisingly has developmental and cultural importance. Experts discuss the science and sociology of tickling.
12 min
1229
The Psychology of Adopted People
People who are adopted have more psychological problems than others, yet they also tend to have other psychological strengths. Experts, both themselves also adoptees, discuss the roots and outcomes of these issues as adopted children grow up.
15 min
1230
Medical Notes: Week of October 28, 2018
Medical Notes for the week of October 28, 2018 including: hay fever vaccines, egg freezing becoming common for young women, and finally more evidence supporting the existence of junk food addiction.
0 min
1231
Narcolepsy And Cataplexy
Sleep disorders can be difficult to diagnose and treat. A science journalist discusses his efforts to overcome narcolepsy, which produces extreme daytime sleepiness, and cataplexy, which produces instant sleep-like paralysis, as well as the science...
12 min
1232
Exploding Myths About The Flu and Flu Vaccines
About 40 percent of eligible people have been vaccinated against the flu in recent years, but many more might do so were it not for persistent myths about the disease and its vaccine. For example, a new survey shows that more than half of parents...
17 min
1233
Getting Rid of Those Old Style Hospital Gowns
Surveys show that hospital gowns are one of the things that most makes a hospital stay unpleasant. Finally hospitals may be moving to get rid of the old style gowns toward a less revealing, more dignified design that is still functional for healthcare...
11 min
1234
Doctors Obesity Bias (2018)
Studies show that medical professionals are as biased as the rest of us against people who are overweight, resulting in lectures, misdiagnoses, and patients who start avoiding the doctor. Experts explain the problem, results, and what might be done...
17 min
1235
Medical Notes: Week of October 14, 2018
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of October 14, 2018 including: A new anti-depressant to help mothers experiencing postpartum depression, an asthma drug that may help reduce the damaging effects of multiple sclerosis, and finally,...
1 min
1236
Homesickness
What we now call “homesickness” used to be a medical diagnosis called “nostalgia,” and it was considered life-threatening. Today many people consider homesickness to be a childish emotion, but an expert says it’s nothing to be ashamed of. We...
12 min
1237
Dementia In Women
About two-thirds of people with dementia in the United States are women, and researchers are discovering it’s not just because they live longer. Reproductive history also plays a role. Scientists are focusing on the role of estrogen as a potential...
17 min
1238
Polyamines
Researchers have discovered a variety of components in foods that are essential to health but are low in quantity in most diets. One of these is a set of compounds called polyamines. Researchers explain what they are, how they work, and how people can...
12 min
1239
Health Crises and Financial Disaster
Medical bills have long been labeled the number one cause of bankruptcy in the US. A recent study has examined how medical crises produce personal financial disaster. Researchers say for the uninsured, medical bills are, indeed, a heavy burden. But...
18 min
1240
Medical Notes: Week of September 30, 2018
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of September 30, 2018 including: A vaccine for acne, a "good cholesterol" correlation to heart attacks, and solutions for "I-pad neck" and finally, designating a driver for, "The morning after."
1 min
1241
Solving the Recycling Crisis
For decades, the US has exported much of its recycled waste to China, an option no longer available to us by Chinese government policy. Now much of this waste may go to other Asian third world countries that are poorly equipped to take it. Experts say...
16 min
1242
"Flat Head Syndrome"
Since the beginning of the “baby on back” movement to reduce sudden infant death syndrome, many more infants are developing misshapen heads with a flat spot in one place. An expert discusses whether this is serious, how it can be treated with a...
12 min
1243
Gene Research and Our Future
Gene research has made incredible leaps in the last decade. A physician/Pulitzer-prize winning author explains what our new knowledge means for our immediate medical future, given our struggles with genetic knowledge in the past. Learn more at:
14 min
1244
Lewy Body Dementia (2018 Update)
The second most common form of dementia is virtually unknown to most people. However, Lewy body dementia affects 1.4 million Americans, with symptoms commonly misdiagnosed as Alzheimer's disease. Additional symptoms such as hallucinations and...
16 min
1245
Imposter Syndrome (2018)
"Imposter syndrome” can undermine careers and lead to psychological distress. Two noted experts in the field discuss origins and how to deal with the phenomenon. Learn more at:
11 min
1246
The Coming "Hothouse Earth" (2018)
Rising global temperatures have produced effects such as extreme weather and a rising sea level. Climate scientists fear that if temperatures continue to rise, we may soon reach the point of no return. If the earth’s natural cooling systems start...
17 min
1247
Saving Talk Therapy For Mental Illness
Decades ago, psychiatric treatment meant talk therapy. Now it usually means drugs or cognitive behavioral therapy for an extremely short time. A noted clinical psychologist and author explains why patients are better served when talk therapy is an...
12 min
1248
Medical Notes: Week of September 9, 2018
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of September 9, 2018 including: A connection between adolescent drinking and adult prostate cancer, a study on music preferences related to income, and finally, matching musical tastes to dating...
1 min
1249
Using Naloxone For Drug Overdoses
The drug Naloxone has been hailed as a lifesaver, as it can reverse the effects of what would otherwise be fatal opioid overdoses. Expert panels recommend that more average citizens carry it, especially those likely to be in contact with drug users....
16 min
1250
Medical Notes: Week of September 2, 2018
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of September 2, 2018 including: High blood pressure links to dementia, then osteoporosis genetic screening tests, and finally, is friendship timeless?
1 min