If you’re reading this, you’re probably looking at a phone or a computer screen. These days we spend most of our lives looking at screens – whether it’s for work, school, or fun – but how is it shaping us? On season six of Chasing Life, Dr. Sanjay Gupta takes us on his most personal journey yet, while he dives into the science behind how technology is impacting our brains. As a dad of three teenage girls, he explores how worried we should be about the effect screen time is having on kids’ health...
Feb 07, 2023•4 min
Remember how awkward and confused you felt as a teen? It's a time of so many big changes – growth spurts, body hair, and acne, just to name a few – but perhaps the most radical transformation is going on inside the adolescent brain. Dr. Sanjay Gupta dives into the neuroscience of the teen brain with psychologist Valerie Reyna to figure out how teens make decisions and weigh risks. Plus, tips for teens (and anyone who’s been a teen) on how we can support one another through this challenging stage...
Jan 31, 2023•23 min•Ep. 381
Dr. Sanjay Gupta travels to Cuba to investigate one of the most complex and controversial brain mysteries in recent years known as "Havana Syndrome." First reported by two dozen U.S. officials in Havana, Cuba starting in 2016, these unexplained health incidents have since multiplied to include hundreds of reports of concussion-like injuries around the globe. Despite various government investigations, American officials have yet to make clear what is behind these injuries and whether a directed e...
Jan 24, 2023•25 min•Ep. 380
Dr. Sanjay Gupta travels to Cuba to investigate one of the most complex and controversial brain mysteries in recent years known as "Havana Syndrome." First reported by two dozen U.S. officials in Havana, Cuba starting in 2016, these unexplained health incidents have since multiplied to include hundreds of reports of concussion-like injuries around the globe. Despite various government investigations, American officials have yet to make clear what is behind these injuries and whether a directed e...
Jan 17, 2023•31 min•Ep. 379
When psychedelics were first studied more than 50 years ago, researchers noticed that they were useful in helping people explore a greater sense of self. Now, after a half-century hiatus, scientists are studying psychedelics like MDMA, psilocybin, and ketamine as treatment for depression, PTSD, anxiety, and other mental health conditions. So, what promise do they hold as therapeutics? Albert Garcia-Romeu, a researcher at John’s Hopkins University, joins Dr. Sanjay Gupta to talk about how psyched...
Jan 10, 2023•34 min•Ep. 378
For the past couple of months, we’ve explored the senses and how each one affects our health and well-being. In our last episode of this season, we examine a trait known as synesthesia – in which the senses intertwine, like seeing colors when you hear music or tasting flavor when you feel texture. Neurologist and author, Dr. Richard Cytowic , joins Dr. Sanjay Gupta to explain what happens in the brain when the senses blend. We’ll also hear from musical artist, Christen Lien, about what it’s like...
Dec 20, 2022•24 min•Ep. 377
Close your eyes and just listen . Even if you aren’t actively thinking about the noises happening around you, your brain is constantly processing sound. That’s because, unlike your eyes, your ears never close. In fact, Northwestern neurobiology professor Nina Kraus, says listening is one of the hardest tasks we ask our brains to do. On today’s episode, Kraus explains how the sounds we’re surrounded by everyday – like a noisy leaf blower or the soothing sound of music – really matter and can impa...
Dec 13, 2022•30 min•Ep. 376
Do you ever walk past someone who smells absolutely alluring? Maybe you even do a double take? Scent is a major component of our attraction to those around us, but how much does it actually impact our romantic decisions? Pheromones have long been documented in the animal kingdom, but what about in humans? On this episode, professor Tristram Wyatt joins Dr. Sanjay Gupta for a deep dive into the world of pheromones, how they work and the search for the mysterious human sex pheromone. To learn more...
Dec 06, 2022•26 min•Ep. 375
We all know sleep is vital, so why do many of us still find it so difficult to prioritize? CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta speaks with sleep scientist Rebecca Robbins about why we sleep in the first place and how to ensure we get a good night’s rest. And neurologist Ying-Hui Fu explores the latest research surrounding sleep, including what regulates the amount of sleep we actually need and what role genetics might play. We also meet Cliff Luther, a man who only needs about four ...
Nov 29, 2022•22 min•Ep. 374
Can you picture your favorite comfort food? Whether it’s a steaming bowl of your grandmother’s homemade soup or a chewy chocolate candy bar from your childhood, food evokes all sorts of emotions. But the way we experience food also depends on lots of different factors like smell, sound, texture, color and memory. On today’s episode, University of Kentucky Professor Dan Han , teaches us about a new and emerging field called neurogastronomy, and how this science could help us train our brains to g...
Nov 15, 2022•29 min•Ep. 373
When psychedelics were first studied more than 50 years ago, researchers noticed that they were useful in helping people explore a greater sense of self. Now, after a half-century hiatus, scientists are studying psychedelics like MDMA, psilocybin, and ketamine as treatment for depression, PTSD, anxiety, and other mental health conditions. So, what promise do they hold as therapeutics? Albert Garcia-Romeu, a researcher at John’s Hopkins University, joins Dr. Sanjay Gupta to talk about how psyched...
Nov 08, 2022•33 min•Ep. 372
Have you ever wondered why we get hangry or car sick? It happens when our sensory system gets dysregulated. For some people, this happens all the time and can be debilitating to their life. On today’s episode, occupational therapist Virginia Spielmann breaks down the challenges of navigating our world for people with sensory processing disorder. Plus, retired army vet Terry Lashley shares his tips for parenting a neurodivergent child. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit ...
Nov 01, 2022•27 min•Ep. 371
If you could gain super-human hearing, or even a new sense entirely, would you? Neuroscientist David Eagleman says with the help of technology, this could soon become a reality. On today’s episode, Eagleman talks about an invention he created that helps people who are deaf “hear” through vibrations on their skin. Plus, David explains how he hopes to use similar technology to give humans stronger senses, or even new ones. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privac...
Oct 25, 2022•28 min•Ep. 370
How do you treat a disease where the cause is unknown and each patient’s symptoms are unique? CNN's Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta talks to pain expert Dr. Carmen Green about what causes chronic pain, how it can be treated, and which patients are more likely to get care. Plus, meet a man who feels no pain and a woman who figured out how to cope with hers. This episode originally aired in November 2021. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Lea...
Oct 18, 2022•29 min•Ep. 369
We’re constantly assaulted by “noise” all around us: crowds, vehicles, social media. As quiet spaces around us dwindle, what is it doing to our minds and bodies? Why do we need silence for our health? Acoustic ecologist Gordon Hempton takes Dr. Sanjay Gupta on a tour to one of the quietest spots in the United States. Plus, quiet activist Vikram Chauhan gives listeners tips on finding quiet even in the noisiest cities. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy L...
Oct 11, 2022•22 min•Ep. 368
Imagine not being able to recognize the people you see every single day; your coworkers, your friends, your loved ones. “Prosopagnosia,” or “face blindness,” as it’s commonly known, is a disorder that impacts about 1 in 50 people, and some may not even know about it. They may go their whole lives struggling to recognize the important people in their lives, often relying on non-facial information like hair color or gait to distinguish people. Neuropsychologist Ashok Jansari joins Dr. Sanjay Gupta...
Oct 04, 2022•24 min•Ep. 367
Imagine if your morning cup of coffee one day smelled like rotting garbage. Or, if your favorite comfort food had no taste at all. For some COVID long haulers, this is their new reality. What causes these distortions in smell and taste in the first place? And, what treatment options are available for these patients? On this episode, we’ll speak to Stanford University smell expert Dr. Zara Patel, who says olfactory training – or “smell training” -- can help some people re-gain a lost sense of sme...
Sep 27, 2022•34 min•Ep. 366
Welcome to Season 5 of Chasing Life, where we’ll explore the five traditional senses – sight, hearing, taste, touch and smell -- and beyond. To kick off the season, Dr. Sanjay Gupta talks to award winning science journalist Ed Yong about his new book “An Immense World, How Animal Senses Reveal the Hidden Realms Around Us.” Ed explains how all creatures live in their own “sensory bubble” through which they experience a sliver of reality. Plus, he takes us on a wild journey through the animal king...
Sep 20, 2022•28 min•Ep. 365
Chasing Life is pleased to present the first episode of Anderson Cooper's new podcast: All There Is. Anderson started recording while packing up the apartment of his late mother Gloria Vanderbilt. Going through her journals and keepsakes, as well as things left behind by his father and brother, Cooper begins a series of emotional and moving conversations about the people we lose, the things they leave behind, and how to live on - with loss, with laughter, and with love. You can find All There Is...
Sep 14, 2022•36 min•Ep. 364
Why are social interactions so daunting for some of us and what can we do to make things easier on ourselves? Dr. Sanjay Gupta revisits an interview with clinical psychologist Ellen Hendriksen, who offers actionable tips that all of us can put into practice. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
Sep 06, 2022•13 min•Ep. 363
This week the Chasing Life team is sharing one of their favorite podcasts, In the Bubble with Andy Slavitt. Soon after entering the Kansas City mayoral campaign, Democratic up-and-comer Jason Kander revealed that he suffered from PTSD and depression and walked away from politics and a future White House run. Though he felt his career and ambitions were over, he gained the opportunity to heal from trauma he experienced during his time serving in the Afghanistan War. In a sensitive and honest inte...
Aug 30, 2022•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 362
It’s easy to understand the importance of play during childhood but research shows that play is important at every age. In this episode, Dr. Sanjay Gupta speaks with play expert Dr. Stuart Brown, who has studied play for decades, and argues joyful activity is just as important as proper nutrition and a good night’s sleep. Discover why incorporating fun into your daily routine is an essential part of living a healthier and happier life. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit...
Aug 16, 2022•25 min•Ep. 361
Climate change has long been an existential threat, but for many young people, government inaction and increasing natural disasters are now taking a mental toll. Psychologists describe this phenomenon as climate anxiety, or ecological grief. On this episode, Dr. Sanjay Gupta talks to climate researcher Britt Wray, and climate activist and writer adrienne maree brown, about how to deal with climate anxiety and ways of finding joy amidst the darkness. You can find more of adrienne maree brown’s wr...
Aug 09, 2022•29 min•Ep. 360
Although we don’t remember most of them, we spend about two hours every night dreaming. Some dreams are similar, others are scary, or anxiety inducing. But while dreams can transport us to places we could never experience in our waking lives, do they have a purpose? On this episode, Dr. Sanjay Gupta talks to neuroscientist and dream expert, Sidarta Ribeiro, about the importance of dreaming, what goes on in our bodies while we’re dreaming, and how to take control of our dream world. Plus, Ribeiro...
Aug 02, 2022•33 min•Ep. 359
Time heals all wounds, so the saying goes. But that’s not always the case. Sometimes, when a loved one dies, it can feel like we’re stuck in an endless loop of pain. In this episode Dr. Sanjay Gupta speaks to Wendy Lichtenthal, Director of the Bereavement Clinic at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, about why we grieve, how to navigate the grief process, and a new medical diagnosis: prolonged grief disorder. You'll also hear from Sundari Malcolm, Director of BIPOC Wellbeing for The Dinner P...
Jul 26, 2022•35 min•Ep. 358
What if instead of pills to cure what ails you, you were prescribed a video game? Over at Akili Interactive, researchers are trying to do just that. EndeavorRX is the first ever FDA approved video game for medical treatment, in this case for ADHD in children. We dive into the science behind the treatment and how video games have the potential to be used for other cognitive dysfunctions, including autism, depression and multiple sclerosis. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, vi...
Jul 19, 2022•27 min•Ep. 357
It's time to revisit one of our favorite episodes! We’re always waiting for something, whether it’s in line for your morning coffee, on hold with customer service, or waiting for life-changing medical results. So how can we get better at waiting and make it feel less excruciating? Maybe even fun? CNN's Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta talks with waiting expert Professor Kate Sweeny to understand the science of waiting, why we evolved to hate it, and what we can do to deal with waits ...
Jul 12, 2022•26 min•Ep. 356
What’s the secret to a long, happy life? TV legend Norman Lear may have the answers. It’s hard to believe but the man responsible for shows like “All in the Family,” “Good Times,” “Maude” and “The Jeffersons,” turns 100 in late July. In honor of this special milestone birthday, Dr. Sanjay Gupta and Marc Hodosh invited Lear to speak on stage at the LIFE ITSELF summit. Hodosh talked to Lear about his long career, how laughter leads to longevity and why he sent an original copy of the Declaration o...
Jul 05, 2022•16 min•Ep. 355
Do you ever feel your blood pressure rise, sitting in a sea of stand-still traffic? It’s not all in your head. All that time spent in the driver's seat could actually take a toll on your mind and body. In this episode, we’re hitting the road with someone who drives for a living – a long-haul truck driver – to hear how she keeps calm and focused. Plus, traffic psychologist Dwight Hennessy explains why we feel the way we do behind the wheel and shares some tips for making your commute a little mor...
Jun 28, 2022•30 min•Ep. 354
If you’re a person of color living in the United States, chances are, you’re living with some form of racial trauma. Whether it’s because you’ve been a victim of racism, because you know someone who has, or even if it’s just from watching events unfold on the news, these instances can take a heavy mental health toll. On this episode, CNN’s chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta gets personal as he talks to racial trauma expert Sherry Wang about the devastating rise in anti-Asian hate durin...
Jun 21, 2022•33 min•Ep. 353
