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.
1501
Drug Abuse and Personality
New science has discovered that certain personality types are predictably predisposed to addiction risk, and that educational efforts can be targeted to them effectively.
15 min
1502
The Psychology of Weight Loss Surgery
Patients who have bariatric surgery stand to lose not only lots of weight but often an identity which changes many of their relationships.
13 min
1503
Restoring Doctors' Compassion
Doctors have often been advised to avoid emotions regarding patients in order to keep their decisions objective. However, this has led many patients to believe doctors don’t care about them. A new movement in medicine seeks to reverse the trend and...
17 min
1504
PBC: Liver Autoimmune Disease
A variety of liver diseases may cause test results that mimic alcohol-related cirrhosis. One, known as PBC, is the second largest reason for liver transplants in women. A patient and an expert discuss.
13 min
1505
Emotional Support Animals
We discuss the mental health benefits of owning a dog, and the Americans with Disabilities Act requirements for emotional support animals.
12 min
1506
The Safety of Self-Driving Cars
Self-driving cars are being developed more rapidly than most experts thought possible. But even if they’re technically possible, can we be assured of their safety? Trust is a major hurdle to adoption of what could be a major step forward in...
18 min
1507
Yawning
Virtually all animals with a backbone yawn, but scientists don’t know what purpose it serves or why yawns are so contagious.
13 min
1508
The Benefits of Fear
During the Halloween season, many people seek out frightening experiences. This controlled fear has a psychological and developmental purpose, as an expert explains.
12 min
1509
DTC Genetic Testing
Direct to consumer genetic testing is now available to consumers to satisfy a variety of desires, however, risks come with what doctors say is incomplete knowledge.
17 min
1510
Vaccination Refusal
A new survey shows more pediatricians are experiencing vaccination refusal, and while the reasons are evolving, they still often result from misinformation.
17 min
1511
Adoption Psychology
People who are adopted have more psychological problems than others, yet they also tend to have other psychological strengths.
14 min
1512
Tickling (2016)
Tickling is a unique application of the sense of touch that surprisingly has developmental and cultural importance.
10 min
1513
Leprosy
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. Learn more at
12 min
1514
Locked-In Syndrome
Some people who have a stroke in the brain stem suffer from a condition where they are fully aware yet cannot move a muscle, except for sometimes the eyes.
12 min
1515
EpiPen Price Hikes
The EpiPen brand has become synonymous with epinephrine injectors, which can save the life of a person suffering a severe allergic reaction. Recently there’s been outcry over large price hikes for the devices, which have forced some people to seek...
15 min
1516
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...
11 min
1517
The Brain Science of Drunk Driving
Scientists are learning that people who repeatedly drive drunk are not all the same in the personalities and brain chemistries that motivate their behavior. An expert discusses new research suggesting different ways to reduce recidivism in each of...
17 min
1518
Lucid Dreams
The dreaming brain is nearly as active as it is when we are awake. Experts discuss ways to shape dreams to help solve problems.
14 min
1519
SCAD: The Under-the-Radar Heart Attack
Experts discuss heart attacks, known as SCAD, that are caused by arteries splitting open rather than blockages.
18 min
1520
Doctors' Obesity Bias
Studies show that doctors are as biased as the rest of us against people who are overweight, resulting in lectures, misdiagnoses, and patients who avoid the doctor.
19 min
1521
Rethinking Parenting
Every generation thinks the one behind it is full of spoiled, entitled, lazy kids, prompting parenting advice that research shows is actually harmful to children. An expert discusses why conventional wisdom about raising kids is often all wrong.
16 min
1522
Drinking Water Safety
Experts explain the danger of lead, especially to children, and other chemicals that may be in drinking water.
17 min
1523
Varicose Veins
An expert physician explains what varicose veins are and new treatments that simplify getting rid of them.
13 min
1524
Child Heart Arrhythmias
Children and adolescents seldom have “heart attacks,” but they sometimes have heart arrhythmias which can look like the same thing, and be just as deadly.
13 min
1525
Fighting Your Insurer
A new field of advocates are helping people navigate the insurance system, assisting with denials and delays. Three experts discuss how to fight your insurer and win.
14 min