Just reading the title of this episode may have been enough to make you feel grossed out and creepy crawly. And now we’re asking you to listen to a whole episode about maggots? But trust us, it’s worth the journey. Because these little creatures have a hidden depth to them that will surprise, delight, and, we would venture to say, inspire. In this episode, we explore the many ways that maggots have been used by medicine over the centuries up to the present day and the properties they possess that make them heroes of healing. With a discerning palate and something called extracorporeal digestion, maggots can show us that, when it comes to wound healing, teamwork makes the dream work. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Clifton McKee discusses the deadly Nipah virus, its origins, and ecological factors driving outbreaks. They explore spillover events, One Health approach, and the virus' impact on humans. Learn about the virus that inspired the movie Contagion.

We live on the edge. Whether we fail to acknowledge it or try not to think of it, that fact remains true for most of us. A chemical shift, a rogue protein, a marauding molecule - our brains are vulnerable to an array of attacks that could dramatically alter our connection with the world and ourselves. In this episode of the TPWKY book club, Dr. Sara Manning Peskin, MD, MS, assistant professor of clinical neurology at the University of Pennsylvania and author, joins us to discuss her book A Molecule Away from Madness: Tales of the Hijacked Brain. Deeply fascinating, occasionally terrifying, and always empathetic, A Molecule Away from Madness features individual cases of the brain gone awry. Dr. Manning Peskin artfully combines these emotional and personal stories with approachable explanations of how our brains work and historical descriptions of how we gained this understanding. Tune in to this captivating conversation wherever you get your podcasts! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dive into the booming world of dietary supplements and uncover the truth behind the flashy claims. Explore the murky waters of regulation and consumer safety, as well as the historical marketing tactics that shaped the industry. The episode reveals the alarming growth of the supplement market, especially during the pandemic, and discusses the serious implications of underreported adverse events. It also addresses the global crisis of undernutrition, contrasting how marketing exploits fears while lacking scientific backing.

Delve into the fascinating world of fevers in this red-hot episode. Explore the history of thermometers, the body's response to fevers, and the evolutionary aspects of temperature regulation. Learn about the significance of fevers in health and the complexities of managing high temperatures. Tune in for some very fun fever facts!

The TPWKY book club is back in action, and we’re thrilled to be starting this season’s reading journey with Dr. Deirdre Cooper Owens, reproductive rights advocate, Associate Professor in the University of Connecticut history department, and award-winning author of Medical Bondage: Race, Gender, and the Origins of American Gynecology. The history of science and medicine often focuses on the achievements of wealthy, white male physicians and researchers whose names are etched on medical school buildings, libraries, and dormitories. Rarely do these stories give voice to those whose bodies or labor were exploited in the name of scientific progress. In the first book club episode of the season, Dr. Deirdre Cooper Owens joins us to discuss the Black enslaved women who worked alongside the so-called “Father of Gynecology”, James Marion Sims, as both patients and caregivers in nineteenth-century America. Our conversation takes us through the inherent contradictions in the way nineteenth-century physicians wrote and thought about race, gender, and health, and how broad changes in medical practice during this time promoted the dissemination of unfounded beliefs in how white and Black bodies experienced pain, health, and disease. Tune in for a fascinating conversation that will have you immediately adding Medical Bondage to your to-read list! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Exploring the parallels between ME/CFS and Long Covid, the biological underpinnings of ME/CFS, the twisty history of the disease, the power of patient advocates, challenges in defining ME/CFS, immune system alterations, historical perceptions of similar conditions, stigma surrounding ME/CFS, and potential treatments and research strategies.

In this podcast, they discuss Long Covid and its impact on individuals post-recovery. They explore patient activism, challenges faced in getting medical recognition, and the complexities of the condition. The narrative delves into symptoms, potential drivers, and the far-reaching effects of Long Covid, including cognitive impairment and disrupted sleep patterns. They also touch on research findings and immune profiling of Long Covid.

Exploring the silence and misconceptions surrounding menopause, the podcast delves into the physiological processes, symptoms, and challenges of this transition. It discusses the individual variation in experiencing menopause and the historical negative views and stigma associated with it. The podcast also examines the evolution and purpose of menopause in different species, highlighting the rarity of menopause in the animal kingdom and discussing potential reasons for its existence. Additionally, it explores the geographic and cultural variations in reporting and perception of menopause, as well as treatment options for menopausal symptoms.

Explore the history and significance of tonsillectomies, from their popularity in the 20th century to their decline. Learn about the various types and functions of tonsils, the risks and benefits of tonsil removal surgery, and historical methods of tonsil removal. Discover the controversy surrounding tonsils as focal infections and the doubts surrounding tonsillectomies. Finally, gain insights into tonsils as a fascinating tool for understanding immune responses and vaccine development.