The Body of Evidence

Two new medical mysteries for Chris and Aigul to unpack. Why did this 44-year-old woman with Chron's disease develop a rash and why did a teenage cyclist with double vision develop an unstable gait? Become a supporter of our show today either on Patreon or through PayPal! Thank you! http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/ https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=9QZET78JZWCZE Email us your questions at thebodyofevidence@gmail.com. Editor: Robyn Flynn Theme music: "Fall of the Ocean Queen" by Joseph Hackl Rod of Asclepius designed by Kamil J. Przybos Chris' book, Does Coffee Cause Cancer?: https://ecwpress.com/products/does-coffee-cause-cancer Obviously, Chris is not your doctor (probably). This podcast is not medical advice for you; it is what we call information. Links to the cases: https://reference.medscape.com/viewarticle/unresolved-rash-44-year-old-woman-crohns-disease-2025a1000q3g https://reference.medscape.com/viewarticle/teenaged-cyclist-double-vision-and-unsteady-gait-2025a1000pqf

Jevin West joins Chris to talk about teaching critical thinking and whether AI is a force for good or a force for evil. Both of them have passed the Turing Test so all fellow humans are welcome. Become a supporter of our show today either on Patreon or through PayPal! Thank you! http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/ https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=9QZET78JZWCZE Email us your questions at thebodyofevidence@gmail.com. Editor: Robyn Flynn Theme music: "Fall of the Ocean Queen" by Joseph Hackl Rod of Asclepius designed by Kamil J. Przybos Chris' book, Does Coffee Cause Cancer?: https://ecwpress.com/products/does-coffee-cause-cancer Obviously, Chris is not your doctor (probably). This podcast is not medical advice for you; it is what we call information. References: 1) Red Pen Reviews: https://www.redpenreviews.org

Dive into a thought-provoking discussion about the implications of leucovorin, a form of folinic acid, on autism treatment. Discover the differences between folic acid and folinic acid, and how folate's history has shaped health policies. Explore cerebral folate deficiency and its debated link to autism prevalence. The hosts scrutinize the recent FDA approval of leucovorin, potential conflicts of interest, and the current state of randomized trials. Are we rushing into uncharted waters? Tune in for a critical look at the intersection of science, politics, and health.

Nick Tiller, a science communicator known for his insights on exercise and sport science, returns to delve into sauna health claims. They explore various sauna types and humidity, and debate the heart health benefits tied to heat exposure. Tiller scrutinizes the Kuopio studies, highlighting risks and lifestyle confounders. He emphasizes the need for caution among older adults and offers practical safety tips. Ultimately, Tiller argues that while saunas can enhance well-being, exercise remains paramount for health.

The discussion tackles RFK Jr.'s claims linking Tylenol use in pregnancy to autism, highlighting major flaws in the argument. Both hosts delve into why such claims resonate deeply with the public, especially concerning children's health. They emphasize the safety and necessity of acetaminophen during pregnancy compared to riskier alternatives. The episode also critiques how misleading reports can harm public health trust, and presents compelling genetic evidence arguing that autism's primary causes are largely hereditary.

A viewer question prompts Chris and Sophie to look into scrambler therapy. A medical therapy for chronic pain with a silly name that sounds like it should be pseudoscience, but actually isn't. How is it different from Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)? How good is the evidence and how much of the benefit is actually a placebo response. Become a supporter of our show today either on Patreon or through PayPal! Thank you! http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/ https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=9QZET78JZWCZE Email us your questions at thebodyofevidence@gmail.com. Editor: Robyn Flynn Theme music: "Fall of the Ocean Queen" by Joseph Hackl Rod of Asclepius designed by Kamil J. Przybos Chris' book, Does Coffee Cause Cancer?: https://ecwpress.com/products/does-coffee-cause-cancer Obviously, Chris is not your doctor (probably). This podcast is not medical advice for you; it is what we call information. References: 1) 2016 review of scrambler therapy for chronic pain https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-016-3177-3 2) 2018 update https://doi.org/10.1177/1534735419845143 Key studies: Sabato (2005) – 226 patients: 80% had >50% pain reduction Marineo (2011) – RCT: 91% pain reduction in Scrambler group vs. 28% in controls Ricci (2012) – 82 patients: Mean pain scores dropped from 6.2/10 prior to treatment to 1.6 just after completing 10 treatment days to 2.9, 2 weeks after finishing treatment. Compagnone (2015) – 201 patients: pain went from 7.41 to 1.6 Notaro (2015) – All patients had ≥50% pain reduction; relief lasted ~8 weeks; sleep improved Pachman (2014) – 37 patients: 53% average pain reduction; effect lasted 10 weeks One 'no results' study: Campbell (2013) – 14 patients, RCT with sham control; no improvement—but team lacked experience, which may have skewed results.

Rodney Schmaltz joins Chris to talk about teaching scientific skepticism to university students. How does learning about Big Foot, debunking photos of fairies, and going on a ghost hunt make you better at debunking pseudoscience? Also, how to speak to believers in pseudoscience without making the other person hate you. Become a supporter of our show today either on Patreon or through PayPal! Thank you! http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/ https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=9QZET78JZWCZE Email us your questions at thebodyofevidence@gmail.com. Editor: Robyn Flynn Theme music: "Fall of the Ocean Queen" by Joseph Hackl Rod of Asclepius designed by Kamil J. Przybos Chris' book, Does Coffee Cause Cancer?: https://ecwpress.com/products/does-coffee-cause-cancer Obviously, Chris is not your doctor (probably). This podcast is not medical advice for you; it is what we call information. References: 1) Rodney's website that also hosts his Tedx talk: https://www.rodneyschmaltz.com/ 2) The Lilienfeld Alliance: https://sites.google.com/view/lilienfeldalliance/lilicon-2026?authuser=0