The People's Pharmacy

This week, we look at the new pharmaceuticals that the FDA has approved for treating Alzheimer disease. Although they are effective at removing amyloid plaques from the brain, they don’t seem to help patients function better. Is it time to turn away from an exclusive focus on amyloid to consider other factors that might affect […]

This week, we talk with an expert on cancer epidemiology. Surprisingly, though, our discussion centers on the health aspects of practicing kindness and compassion. In our polarized world, anger and hostility are rampant. But kindness is not only good for the person who receives a kind gesture. It also has a biological impact on the […]

In this week’s interview, Dr. Robert Waldinger of Harvard University explains why overcoming loneliness is essential for our health. His research, summarized in The Good Life, shows that close relationships are crucial for a satisfying life. In addition, the Surgeon General has issued a comprehensive report on the epidemic of loneliness and its effects on […]

This Saturday morning, November 23, 2024, an expert from Australia helps us examine the hidden risks of healthcare. Healthcare providers have the best of intentions, but they simply cannot truly uphold the (apocryphal) part of the Hippocratic oath that urges “First, do no harm.” How can patients and their families become more familiar with the […]

This week, we discuss how making your own herbal medicine at home can provide you with safe, inexpensive and effective ways to ease symptoms of common problems like colds, cuts and scrapes or heartburn. Our guest is a long-time People’s Pharmacy favorite, Dr. Tieraona Low Dog. Learn about leaves and roots in remedies you can […]

This week, we consider whether viruses might be able to overcome bacterial infections that resist all antibiotics. We start with a thrilling story from a few years ago in which a scientist saved her husband’s life with bacteriophages. Then we turn to a journalist who grew up in Russia where bacteriophages are common remedies. She […]

This week, a nationally-renowned expert on hypnotherapy describes how this tool can be used to help people heal from stress or pain. Have you tried it? You could listen through your local public radio station or get the live stream at 7 am EDT on your computer or smart phone (wunc.org). Here is a link […]

Matthew M. Burg, a Cardiology professor at Yale, and Redford Williams Jr., Professor Emeritus at Duke, explore the fascinating connection between anger and cardiovascular health. They discuss how negative emotions like hostility can increase heart attack risks and the physiology behind it. The conversation highlights anger management techniques and the importance of self-awareness. Strategies for reducing emotional triggers and fostering wellness are emphasized, revealing the crucial link between emotional and heart health.

Linda Birnbaum, a renowned toxicologist and former director of the NIEHS, discusses the alarming issues surrounding PFAS, known as forever chemicals. She explains their widespread presence in everyday items like nonstick pans, fast-food packaging, and even some cosmetics. The conversation includes strategies to reduce exposure and highlights the significant health risks associated with these compounds. Birnbaum also emphasizes the need for better awareness, effective water filtration, and actionable steps to protect ourselves and our environment from these persistent pollutants.

This week, our guests share their expertise on how to deal with sniffles and congestion, whether you are reacting to seasonal triggers or suffer from year-round allergies. Can you reduce the amount of allergen you are exposed to? Which medications could help, and what are the downsides? We’ll also discuss some herbs that can help […]