

Radio Health Journal | The Latest in Health, Science & Public Policy
Elizabeth Westfield, Greg Johnson, Maayan Voss de Bettancourt | AURN
Each week, Radio Health Journal breaks down important news in medicine, science and technology with the help of world-renowned experts. Our three weekly segments will help guide you to a happier, healthier life – with some fun facts to share at dinner parties. Can magic mushrooms cure your depression? Have we outrun natural selection? Hosted by Elizabeth Westfield, Greg Johnson and Maayan Voss de Bettancourt and produced by Kristen Farrah and Amirah Zaveri. New shows posted each Sunday by 5 a.m. EST. Subscribe, listen, and rate. If you’re looking for older episodes, you can find our entire segment catalog on our website radiohealthjournal.org. Also, check out the latest on Facebook and Instagram @radiohealthjournal and on X @RadioHealthJrnl.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 17, 2025 • 3min
Medical Notes: A New Weight Loss Drug Without The Side Effects, How Paternal Drinking Affects Kids, And How To Fix Your Arthritic Knees Without Surgery
Why are weight loss drugs so difficult to take long-term? Alcoholism doesn’t just affect one person. Fix your bad knees without surgery.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-a-new-weight-loss-drug-without-the-side-effects-how-paternal-drinking-affects-kids-and-how-to-fix-your-arthritic-knees-without-surgery Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 15, 2025 • 29min
Can Suicide Be Prevented? Stories From Survivors And Loved Ones | Cheap Drugs Have A High Cost: The Safety Issues Of Generic Prescriptions
Can Suicide Be Prevented? Stories From Survivors And Loved Ones
September is National Suicide Prevention Month. And though many organizations focus on helping people learn the warning signs, our guests argue that not every death is preventable. This week we hear stories from prevention experts, loved ones, and a suicide attempt survivor.
Cheap Drugs Have A High Cost: The Safety Issues Of Generic Prescriptions
The FDA uses standards called Current Good Manufacturing Practices to ensure safe and reliable pharmaceutical products. However, recent research shows that generic prescription drugs manufactured in India have almost 50% more reported serious adverse events. Our expert discusses the steps needed to keep consumers safe.
Medical Notes: A New Weight Loss Drug Without The Side Effects, How Paternal Drinking Affects Kids, And How To Fix Your Arthritic Knees Without Surgery
Why are weight loss drugs so difficult to take long-term? Alcoholism doesn’t just affect one person. Fix your bad knees without surgery.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 14, 2025 • 13min
Can Suicide Be Prevented? Stories From Survivors And Loved Ones
September is National Suicide Prevention Month. And though many organizations focus on helping people learn the warning signs, our guests argue that not every death is preventable. This week we hear stories from prevention experts, loved ones, and a suicide attempt survivor.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/can-suicide-be-prevented-stories-from-survivors-and-loved-ones Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 14, 2025 • 11min
Cheap Drugs Have A High Cost: The Safety Issues Of Generic Prescriptions
The FDA uses standards called Current Good Manufacturing Practices to ensure safe and reliable pharmaceutical products. However, recent research shows that generic prescription drugs manufactured in India have almost 50% more reported serious adverse events. Our expert discusses the steps needed to keep consumers safe.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/cheap-drugs-have-a-high-cost-the-safety-issues-of-generic-prescriptions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 10, 2025 • 3min
Medical Notes: AI Can Diagnose Your Parkinson’s Disease, How Bacteria Can Lower Your Medical Bills, And The Dangers Of Dehydration
Some diseases are tough to self-diagnose, but AI is here to help. Does bacteria get a bad rap? Have you had enough water today? Probably not – and that’s a big problem.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-ai-can-diagnose-your-parkinsons-disease-how-bacteria-can-lower-your-medical-bills-and-the-dangers-of-dehydration Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 8, 2025 • 26min
Breaking Down The Most Effective (And Ineffective) Treatments For ADHD | Primal Wounds: How To Break Harmful Cycles For Healthier Relationships
Breaking Down The Most Effective (And Ineffective) Treatments For ADHD
Synopsis: Every case of ADHD requires a unique treatment plan because no one child is the same. However, there are many options and not much research on how they all work independently and together. Our experts this week break down what research shows to be the most effective options and the surprising results for what doesn’t work.
Primal Wounds: How To Break Harmful Cycles For Healthier Relationships
Synopsis: Some psychotherapists theorize that our strongest emotional reactions often stem from childhood “primal wounds.” They can make us feel inadequate, powerless, or undeserving. While these triggers can create harmful cycles if ignored, our expert explains how they can act as protective mechanisms that can be our biggest strengths to improve relationships and turn vulnerabilities into personal superpowers.
Medical Notes: AI Can Diagnose Your Parkinson’s Disease, How Bacteria Can Lower Your Medical Bills, And The Dangers Of Dehydration
Some diseases are tough to self-diagnose, but AI is here to help. Does bacteria get a bad rap? Have you had enough water today? Probably not – and that’s a big problem.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 7, 2025 • 10min
Primal Wounds: How To Break Harmful Cycles For Healthier Relationships
Some psychotherapists theorize that our strongest emotional reactions often stem from childhood “primal wounds.” They can make us feel inadequate, powerless, or undeserving. While these triggers can create harmful cycles if ignored, our expert explains how they can act as protective mechanisms that can be our biggest strengths to improve relationships and turn vulnerabilities into personal superpowers.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/primal-wounds-how-to-break-harmful-cycles-for-healthier-relationships Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 7, 2025 • 13min
Breaking Down The Most Effective (And Ineffective) Treatments For ADHD
Every case of ADHD requires a unique treatment plan because no one child is the same. However, there are many options and not much research on how they all work independently and together. Our experts this week break down what research shows to be the most effective options and the surprising results for what doesn’t work.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/breaking-down-the-most-effective-and-ineffective-treatments-for-adhd
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 3, 2025 • 3min
Medical Notes: How To Flush Out ‘Forever Chemicals’, Eat Fruit To Sleep Better, And Is Toothpaste Causing Your Allergies?
Toothpaste may be the cause of your child’s allergies. An antimicrobial chemical called triclosan (try-klow-san) has been a staple ingredient in everyday products like mouthwash and clothing for decades. A new player in the fight against forever chemicals. An apple a day may help you sleep better.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-how-to-flush-out-forever-chemicals-eat-fruit-to-sleep-better-and-is-toothpaste-causing-your-allergies Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 1, 2025 • 28min
Short Kids Are Being Given Growth Hormones – Is It Safe? | Radical Women: The History Of Breast Cancer In America
Short Kids Are Being Given Growth Hormones – Is It Safe?
Many parents begin to worry if their child is much shorter than classmates, and some go as far as to give growth hormone to their kids. However, it doesn’t make the significant difference that these families hope. Our experts explain when growth hormone is appropriate, and how the real solution to shorter kids feeling inferior is society’s mindset.
Radical Women: The History Of Breast Cancer In America
It’s no secret that October is the month of breast cancer awareness, but it wasn’t always this way. There was a time when speaking of cancer was taboo and women having any choice of how they were treated was even more strange. Author Judith Pearson discusses the three women who transformed the breast cancer movement into what we see today.
Medical Notes: How To Flush Out ‘Forever Chemicals’, Eat Fruit To Sleep Better, And Is Toothpaste Causing Your Allergies?
Toothpaste may be the cause of your child’s allergies. An antimicrobial chemical called triclosan (try-klow-san) has been a staple ingredient in everyday products like mouthwash and clothing for decades. A new player in the fight against forever chemicals. An apple a day may help you sleep better.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices