Doctors have long prescribed pills and procedures. But for some people, that isn’t enough. Sanjay sits down with Julia Hotz, author of The Connection Cure , to explore the rise of social prescribing—linking patients to things like volunteering, art, or nature—and how a simple question, “What matters to you?”, can change the way people heal. Producer: Kyra Dahring Medical Writer: Andrea Kane Showrunner: Amanda Sealy Senior Producer: Dan Bloom Technical Director: Dan Dzula Executive Producer: Stev...
Jan 23, 2026•30 min•Ep. 458
Dr. Sanjay Gupta talks through the benefits and risks of cold plunges, and what the limited science tells us about its impacts on inflammation. Plus, the fascinating neuroscience behind why we itch. Producer: Jesse Remedios Medical Writer: Andrea Kane Showrunner: Amanda Sealy Senior Producer: Dan Bloom Technical Director: Dan Dzula Executive Producer: Steve Lickteig Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
Jan 20, 2026•19 min
For centuries, humans have tried to repair and replace our body parts -- from brass noses and pig organs to today’s lab-grown tissue. So where do we stand now? Sanjay sits down with author Mary Roach to discuss her newest book, Replaceable You: Adventures in Human Anatomy , which explores the wild history and newest experiments behind human “upgrades,” from 3D‑printed muscle to the ethics of elective amputation and what these innovations mean for our aging bodies. Our show was produced by Jennif...
Jan 16, 2026•26 min•Ep. 456
If it seems like everyone you know has the flu right now, you’re not that far off. The US has had a record-breaking flu season and isn’t over yet. With the help of CNN medical correspondent Meg Tirrell, Dr. Sanjay Gupta explains how it’s not too late to protect yourself. Plus, Sanjay breaks down the recent changes to the US dietary guidelines. Producer: Sofia Sanchez Medical Writer: Andrea Kane Showrunner: Amanda Sealy Senior Producer: Dan Bloom Technical Director: Dan Dzula Executive Producer: ...
Jan 13, 2026•14 min
Chronic disease, anxiety, ADHD, and even the shape of a person's face could be consequences of dysfunctional breathing. And most of us, it turns out, are doing it wrong – but it’s never too late to fix it. Sanjay sits down with journalist James Nestor to discuss the fifth anniversary edition of Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art , and how simple changes to the way we breathe can start improving our health right away. Our show was produced by Jesse Remedios. Medical Writer: Andrea Kane Showrun...
Jan 09, 2026•30 min•Ep. 454
Many people lost their sense of smell and taste during the early waves of Covid-19. Is there help for those who have yet to recover? CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta sniffs out answers. Plus, a listener warning about a new malady striking some hardcore cannabis users. Producer & Medical Writer: Andrea Kane Showrunner: Amanda Sealy Senior Producer: Dan Bloom Technical Director: Dan Dzula Executive Producer: Steve Lickteig Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices....
Jan 06, 2026•18 min
We often think of pain starting at the source of an injury, but the truth is, it’s all starts in our brain. Dr. Sanjay Gupta explores how discovering the root cause of pain not only helps us understand it but also how to find much needed relief. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jan 02, 2026•29 min
Even as a trauma neurosurgeon, Dr. Sanjay Gupta thought he understood pain. But, when his mother fell and broke her back, it changed the way he thought about pain and how it impacts people’s lives. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Dec 30, 2025•19 min
After a head-spinning year in the worlds of health and technology, Audie Cornish of The Assignment sat down with Dr. Sanjay Gupta and Clare Duffy from Terms of Service, to break down the stories that ended up on all their podcasts this year. Producer: Dan Bloom Technical Director: Dan Dzula Executive Producer: Steve Lickteig Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Dec 26, 2025•35 min
From the resurgence of measles to a new way to treat pain, 2025 was a challenge for public health while still offering moments of hope. Sanjay recaps the year with his top 10 health stories of 2025. Producer & Showrunner: Amanda Sealy Medical Writer: Amanda Sealy Senior Producer: Dan Bloom Technical Director: Dan Dzula Executive Producer: Steve Lickteig Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
Dec 23, 2025•12 min
The holidays are full of stories, laughter, and maybe a little disagreement. Ever try telling a story and hear someone say, “That’s not what happened!”? There’s actually science behind it. Dr. Signy Sheldon, a psychologist at McGill University, explains why our memories differ, how they shift over time, and shares tips for telling stories that connect—without sparking family debate. Producer: Kyra Dahring Medical Writer: Andrea Kane Showrunner: Amanda Sealy Senior Producer: Dan Bloom Technical D...
Dec 19, 2025•29 min•Ep. 548
“Drink your milk,” we are told as children. CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta examines our practice of continuing to drinking cow’s milk as we grow up. Plus, how to get the best sleep if you work the night shift. Producer & Medical Writer: Andrea Kane Showrunner: Amanda Sealy Senior Producer: Dan Bloom Technical Director: Dan Dzula Executive Producer: Steve Lickteig Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
Dec 16, 2025•16 min
The average person gets two to four colds a year. With all the missed school and work, that adds up to an economic impact of about $40 billion, according to some studies. So why haven’t we cured the common cold yet? CNN Medical Correspondent Meg Tirrell explores the science, the history, and the modern attempts to finally crack the case. Producer: Jesse Remedios Medical Writer: Andrea Kane Showrunner: Amanda Sealy Senior Producer: Dan Bloom Technical Director: Dan Dzula Executive Producer: Steve...
Dec 12, 2025•19 min•Ep. 546
There’s a new sleep trend making waves: taping your mouth shut at night. Advocates say it can help you breathe better, sleep deeper, and even wake up more energized. But is it safe -- or could it put your health at risk? Sanjay breaks down what the science says about this viral “hack” and what doctors want you to know before you try it. Plus, a listener asks about calcium supplements and testosterone for bone loss. This episode was produced by Jennifer Lai Medical Writer: Andrea Kane Showrunner:...
Dec 09, 2025•17 min•Ep. 545
Parkinson’s disease, a progressive movement disorder whose hallmark is damage to the dopamine-producing neurons in the brain, afflicts almost 12 million people worldwide. And the number of new cases is growing quickly. For roughly 13% of patients, genetics plays a key role. For many others, the underlying cause of the disease might be more mundane and insidious: environmental toxins — via the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat and the chemicals with which we regularly come in co...
Dec 05, 2025•34 min
Dr. Sanjay Gupta explains the science behind collagen supplements and what you should keep in mind if you’re considering them. Plus, how Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation can help those with hard-to-treat depression. This episode was produced by Jesse Remedios. Showrunner: Amanda Sealy Senior Producer: Dan Bloom Technical Director: Dan Dzula Executive Producer: Steve Lickteig Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
Dec 02, 2025•14 min•Ep. 545
As a practicing neurosurgeon and CNN’s chief medical correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta can spot false health claims from a mile away. Still, he recently became the unwitting subject of an AI disinformation campaign that used his likeness to sell sham health products. On today’s episode, Dr. Gupta shares what happened, and offers tips to avoid getting duped by medical misinformation online. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
Nov 28, 2025•28 min
We all have our cooking rituals, but are some of them unsafe? Dr. Sanjay Gupta gets to the bottom of handwashing hygiene, especially when handling raw meat. Plus, how to best store those hot and cold leftovers this holiday season. Producers: Sofia Sanchez, Leying Tang, Jesse Remedios Medical writer: Andrea Kane Showrunner: Amanda Sealy Senior producer: Dan Bloom Technical Director: Dan Dzula Executive Producer: Steve Lickteig Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
Nov 25, 2025•13 min
Could the secret to living longer be as simple as what’s for dinner? Sanjay sits down with explorer and bestselling author Dan Buettner to discuss the science behind longevity, why taste (not willpower) drives healthy habits, and how affordable, plant-based recipes inspired by the world’s longest-living communities can help you thrive. Plus, hear how AI cracked the code on America’s favorite flavor trends -- and inspired the recipes in his new cookbook, The Blue Zones Kitchen: One Pot Meals. Our...
Nov 21, 2025•26 min•Ep. 540
The FDA is planning to remove the “black box” warning from many hormone treatments for menopause -- a major shift that could change care for millions of women in this country. On this week’s Paging Dr. Gupta, we break down what who this treatment could help and what you still need to know about its risks. This episode was produced by Jennifer Lai with assistance from Kyra Dahring and Leying Tang. Showrunner: Amanda Sealy Senior Producer: Dan Bloom Technical Director: Dan Dzula Executive Producer...
Nov 18, 2025•17 min
In the 1980s, Leland Vittert’s parents were told that nothing could be done about their son’s autism. But that didn’t stop them from trying. In his new memoir, anchor and reporter Vittert reveals his autism diagnosis for the first time and details how his family, especially his father, helped him achieve personal and professional success. Producer & Medical Writer: Andrea Kane Showrunner: Amanda Sealy Senior Producer: Dan Bloom Technical Director: Dan Dzula Executive Producer: Steve Lickteig...
Nov 14, 2025•37 min
It seems like everyone’s wearing Bluetooth headphones these days. But should you be worried about the risk of cancer from this technology? Dr. Sanjay Gupta breaks it down. Plus, are protein shakes actually a shortcut to bad nutrition? Producer: Jesse Remedios Showrunner: Amanda Sealy Senior Producer: Dan Bloom Technical Director: Dan Dzula Executive Producer: Steve Lickteig Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
Nov 11, 2025•12 min•Ep. 539
We've come a long way in integrating technology into our daily lives, but could wearable tech actually help you live longer? From detecting heartbeat irregularities to flagging signs of hypertension and hearing loss, devices like the Apple Watch are becoming unexpected players in preventive care. In a conversation taped before a live audience at The Paley Center for Media in New York, Dr. Sanjay Gupta talks with Dr. Sumbul Desai, Apple’s Vice President of Health, about how these tools are quietl...
Nov 07, 2025•28 min•Ep. 538
Americans are buying more organic food than ever, whether it’s apples from Washington or avocados from Mexico. But when that label says “organic,” especially on something grown thousands of miles away, how do you know it’s truly organic? We get to the bottom of that on this week’s Paging Dr. Gupta. Plus, grounding sheets claim to help with sleep and pain...but does the science back that up? This episode was produced by Jennifer Lai with assistance from Leying Tang. Showrunner: Amanda Sealy Senio...
Nov 04, 2025•17 min•Ep. 537
Author Jonathan Gluck says most cancer stories take one of two forms: “He or she fought valiantly and died, or he or she fought valiantly and survived.” But Gluck, who was told in the prime of life that he had an incurable type of blood cancer, has a different kind of story. Dr. Sanjay Gupta sits down with Gluck to discuss his new book, “An Exercise in Uncertainty: A Memoir of Illness and Hope,” and what two decades of living with cancer have taught him – and might teach us – about living well. ...
Oct 31, 2025•35 min
Why do some people faint at the sight of blood, while others barely flinch? Dr. Sanjay Gupta explains the surprising science behind blood phobia. Plus, what you need to know about artificial sweeteners. Producer: Jesse Remedios Showrunner: Amanda Sealy Medical Writer: Andrea Kane Senior Producer: Dan Bloom Technical Director: Dan Dzula Executive Producer: Steve Lickteig Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
Oct 28, 2025•13 min
A few years ago, vaping was at the top of every parent’s list of worries — including Sanjay’s. But in just a few short years, the landscape has shifted again. Teen vaping rates have dropped, but new nicotine products have quickly taken their place. Dr. Pamela Ling , a professor at University of California San Francisco who has spent her career studying the tobacco industry’s tactics, joins Dr. Sanjay Gupta to talk about why nicotine remains such a moving target — and how parents can help their k...
Oct 24, 2025•25 min•Ep. 534
It’s that time of year again when many Americans have to choose a health insurance plan — a decision that will affect, and possibly haunt them throughout the entire year. Worst of all: many are forced to make a choice with imperfect information. To help walk us through open enrollment, Dr. Sanjay Gupta talks to Elisabeth Rosenthal, senior contributing editor at KFF Health News , who has made it her mission to demystify the process. This episode was produced by Andrea Kane and Sofía Sanchez Showr...
Oct 21, 2025•26 min
Since the 1990s, healthcare has been at the heart of America’s political debate and it’s still being contested today. Why is our health system so complicated? And how can we fix it? To help demystify it, Dr. Sanjay Gupta talks to Elisabeth Rosenthal, the doctor turned health journalist who wrote, An American Sickness: How Healthcare Became Big Business and How You Can Take It Back. She's currently senior contributing editor at KFF Health News. This episode was produced by Sofía Sanchez and Leyin...
Oct 17, 2025•41 min
Are the straws from our reusable water bottles leaching microplastics or toxic chemicals? We sip to the bottom of that question on this week’s Paging Doctor Gupta. Plus, hypertension is rising among young people. Do we need to start paying attention earlier? This episode was produced by Sofía Sánchez, Andrea Kane, and Nadia Kounang Showrunner: Amanda Sealy Senior Producer: Dan Bloom Technical Director: Dan Dzula Executive Producer: Steve Lickteig Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastch...
Oct 14, 2025•19 min
