
The Dose
A weekly look at the health news that matters to you. Dr. Brian Goldman brings you the best science from top experts in plain language. He cuts through the BS and confusion to give you a dose of smart advice that you won’t find anywhere else. New episodes every Thursday.
Latest episodes

Apr 13, 2022 • 23min
What do I need to know about Paxlovid?
The sixth wave of COVID-19 has seen an increase in hospitalizations and more ICU admissions. What’s different this time is that we have a new medication called Paxlovid that can keep at-risk people out of hospital. We hear all the details on Paxlovid from Kelly Grindrod, a pharmacist and associate professor at the school of pharmacy at the University of Waterloo.

Apr 6, 2022 • 24min
Do I need a fourth dose of the COVID-19 vaccine?
COVID case counts are once again climbing in many parts of Canada along with hospitalizations. This week, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommended that a fourth dose of the COVID-19 vaccine be given to all Canadians ages 80 and up.

Mar 30, 2022 • 22min
What do we know about postbiotics?
You may have heard of prebiotics and probiotics, but now there’s a new term used by researchers: postbiotics. This week we’re asking: What do we know about postbiotics? We speak with Jennifer Stearns, assistant professor at McMaster University’s department of medicine.

Mar 23, 2022 • 23min
What do we know about how psychedelics can treat mental illness?
Psychedelics are no longer just illegal street drugs. A lot of research has come out about their benefits as treatments for people with mood and other mental health disorders. So what do we know about how psychedelics can treat mental illness? We hear from Dr. Robert Tanguay, clinical assistant professor at the University of Calgary and Chief Clinical Medical Officer at the Newly Institute.

Mar 16, 2022 • 21min
With provinces lifting mask mandates, should I still wear a mask?
Countries in the European Union are seeing a steep rise in COVID-19 cases, just weeks after lifting COVID-19 measures. Meanwhile, in most parts of Canada, pandemic restrictions are being eased. So with provinces lifting mask mandates, should I still wear a mask? We hear from Jason Tetro, a microbiologist and author of The Germ Files.

Mar 9, 2022 • 21min
I haven't had my regular checkup since before the pandemic. What should I ask my doctor?
If you haven't been in to see your family doctor in the last two years, now may be the time to do it. So if I haven't had my regular checkup since before the pandemic, what should I ask my doctor? We find out from Dr. Peter Lin, a Toronto-based family doctor and a director at the Canadian Heart Research Centre.

Mar 2, 2022 • 23min
What do we know about how effective sleep aids are?
Some sleep experts in Canada have seen a rise in insomnia and sleep-related complaints since the start of the pandemic. For some people, sleep aids can help them get some much-needed rest.
Dr. Brian Goldman, host of CBC podcast The Dose, spoke with Dr. Elliott Lee, a sleep specialist at the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre, about what we know about how effective sleep aids are in helping people stay asleep.

Feb 24, 2022 • 22min
After two years of COVID-19 restrictions, how do I navigate a world with fewer of them?
Canada and many other parts of the world are lifting restrictions and trying to move on from COVID-19. But not everyone is ready to ditch the mask and other pandemic measures. Dr. Steven Taylor, a clinical psychologist and professor in the Department of Psychiatry at University of British Columbia, shares insight on how people can navigate society with fewer COVID-19 restrictions.

Feb 16, 2022 • 21min
What can Canada take away from Denmark’s ‘live with COVID’ approach?
Denmark was one of the first countries to lift all of its COVID-19 restrictions earlier this month.The government says they no longer consider COVID-19 "a socially critical disease" and they’re learning to live with it. What can Canada take away from Denmark’s ‘live with COVID’ approach? We find out from Raywat Deonandan, an epidemiologist and associate professor at the University of Ottawa.

Feb 9, 2022 • 23min
What do we know about COVID-19 vaccines for kids 5 and under?
Kids under five are the only age group that aren’t eligible for a vaccine yet. Vaccine manufacturers are working on vaccines for young children, but parents and guardians have a lot of questions while they wait. What do we know about COVID-19 vaccines for kids 5 and under? We find out from Dr. Cora Constantinescu, a pediatrician and infectious diseases physician at Alberta Children's Hospital in Calgary.