Dr. K unpacks the growing debate around acetaminophen (Tylenol) and its possible link to autism while cutting through the noise of headlines, political statements, and online panic. He explains what the data actually shows, why correlation doesn’t equal causation, and how confounding variables like maternal illness, age, and chronic conditions can completely change how we interpret these studies.
Using his background as both a psychiatrist and medical researcher, Dr. K breaks down what autism really is—a neurodevelopmental spectrum shaped by thousands of subtle genetic and environmental factors. He dives into how modern healthcare has unintentionally increased autism diagnoses through both better detection and the survival of high-risk births. The episode also examines the role of SSRIs, infections, and chronic illness in influencing risk, and why oversimplifying the problem could lead to worse outcomes.
Topics include:
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What autism actually is and why it’s a spectrum, not a single disorder
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Why autism rates are rising with better diagnosis vs. real risk factors
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The Tylenol connection: what studies really say about acetaminophen use in pregnancy
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Confounding variables: how illness and infection skew the data
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The role of maternal/paternal age, chronic illness, and environmental exposure
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SSRIs, pregnancy, and how risk statistics are often misunderstood
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Why demonizing one factor (like Tylenol) can cause more harm than good
This episode offers a calm, science-based perspective on a heated topic reminding us that complex conditions like autism rarely have a single cause, and that real understanding requires nuance, not fear.
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