What's Up Docs?
BBC Radio 4
In this BBC Radio 4 podcast, Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken are on a mission to help us take better care of ourselves.Although they are identical twins, Chris and Xand are very different and they never stop thinking and arguing about science and health. They want to lead healthy, happy lives and as doctors, they want this for everyone. Yet they tussle over how best to get there.When it comes to looking after our own health, it can be confusing. Medicine and science produce amazing new treatments and diagnostics every day and we are bombarded with so many headlines and pieces of advice; but how are we supposed to know what's really best for us and then successfully apply it to our lives?Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken embrace this challenge; even as they marvel at the scientific breakthroughs, they grapple with the competing claims about health, wellbeing and how to live.From understanding testosterone therapies to microplastics in our diets, and the concept of 'hangriness' to the power of saying no - this podcast deals with the health stresses we all face every day, while taking on board how the decisions by corporations and governments affect all our health.Each episode, Chris and Xand are joined by an expert guest to examine the latest research, psychological insights, and data, to help listeners navigate the overwhelming amount of information and advice out there. They talk about the trials and tribulations in their own lives in their characteristically witty way - each teasing the other as they search for solutions. Xand has trouble sleeping , Chris has noisy knees, one of them has got an embarrassing itch. They have different ways of looking at things and find it really helpful to get the other one's point of view. These doctors are trying their best and encouraging listeners to do the same.Email: whatsupdocs@bbc.co.uk
Whatsapp: 08000 665123A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4.
Whatsapp: 08000 665123A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Dec 9, 2025 • 22min
Doctors' Notes: Dopamine
Chris and Xand continue their conversation about dopamine with Masud Husain, Professor of Neurology & Cognitive Neuroscience at the University of Oxford. They explore how he first became interested in dopamine, what happens when dopamine systems become overactive, underactive, or disrupted, and whether we have any real control over our dopamine at all. Masud also shares the one thing he wishes everyone understood about dopamine.If you’d like to share your thoughts on this or any other topic covered on the podcast, you email us at whatsupdocs@bbc.co.uk or Whatsapp on 08000 665 123.Presenters: Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken
Guest: Professor Masud Husain
Producer: Maia Miller-Lewis
Executive Producer: Rami Tzabar
Editor: Jo Rowntree
Researcher: Grace Revill
Tech Lead: Reuben Huxtable
Social Media: Leon Gower
Digital Lead: Richard Berry
Composer: Phoebe McFarlane
Sound Design: Melvin RickarbyAt the BBC:
Assistant Commissioner: Greg Smith
Commissioning Editor: Rhian RobertsA Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4.
Dec 9, 2025 • 29min
Can you be ‘addicted to dopamine’?
Welcome to What’s Up Docs?, the podcast where doctors and identical twins Chris and Xand van Tulleken untangle the confusion around every aspect of our health and wellbeing.In this episode, they’re diving into dopamine – one of the most talked-about chemicals in modern wellness culture. But what is dopamine, really? What role does it play in pleasure, motivation, learning, and movement? And how accurate are ideas like “dopamine hits”, “dopamine detoxes”, or being “addicted to dopamine”?Chris and Xand speak to Masud Husain, Professor of Neurology & Cognitive Neuroscience at the University of Oxford, to cut through the myths and find out what dopamine does, what it doesn’t do, and why understanding it properly might change the way we think about our behaviour and our brains.If you want to get in touch, you can email us at whatsupdocs@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08000 665 123.Presenters: Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken
Guest: Professor Masud Husain
Producer: Maia Miller-Lewis
Executive Producer: Rami Tzabar
Editor: Jo Rowntree
Researcher: Grace Revill
Tech Lead: Reuben Huxtable
Social Media: Leon Gower
Digital Lead: Richard Berry
Composer: Phoebe McFarlane
Sound Design: Melvin RickarbyAt the BBC:
Assistant Commissioner: Greg Smith
Commissioning Editor: Rhian RobertsA Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4
6 snips
Dec 2, 2025 • 20min
Doctors' Notes: Beliefs
Dive into the fascinating world of belief with insights from Professor Ryan McKay. Discover how identity and community shape our strongest convictions. Explore why changing health beliefs can be especially tricky, thanks to cognitive biases and emotional ties. Find out the difference between clinical delusions and widely accepted beliefs, and why these often feel so secure. Plus, learn strategies for gently shifting beliefs without triggering discomfort. A thought-provoking conversation on the intricate mechanics of belief awaits!
9 snips
Dec 2, 2025 • 29min
Does what we believe about our health affect it?
Explore the powerful impact of beliefs on our bodily experiences and health perceptions. Discover how preconceptions filter senses, shaping pain and symptom interpretation. Learn why false beliefs can be so persistent due to emotional and social ties. Delve into the intriguing world of placebo and nocebo effects, and how our beliefs motivate lifestyle choices. Reflect on the journey of changing one's identity through self-signalling, and gain insights into balancing truth-seeking with personal growth.
Nov 25, 2025 • 25min
Doctors' Notes: Dry Skin
Dr Tess McPherson, an Associate Professor of Paediatric and Adolescent Dermatology at the University of Oxford, dives into essential insights on dry skin and eczema. She unpacks what eczema is, discussing its causes and genetic links. Tess highlights the psychological impacts of early skincare trends on youth and offers practical advice on using topical steroids effectively. The conversation also tackles common triggers, the importance of normal living, and restoring confidence amid stigmas around skin conditions. It's an eye-opening chat about skin health!
Nov 25, 2025 • 29min
How should you relieve dry skin?
Dr. Tess McPherson, an Associate Professor of Paediatric and Adolescent Dermatology at Oxford, shares her expertise on dry skin and effective skincare routines. She reveals the root causes of dry skin, including genetic factors and the importance of balancing water and oils. Dr. McPherson explains the benefits of using fragrance-free emollients over traditional soaps, emphasizes the need for simplicity in skincare, and discusses how products can often do more harm than good. She also addresses the uniqueness of skin across different ethnicities and the effect of beauty standards.
Nov 18, 2025 • 27min
Doctors' Notes: Hot and Cold Therapies
Dr. Heather Massey, an Associate Professor of extreme environments and physiology, dives into the fascinating world of cold-water immersion and contrast therapy. She discusses her own experiences with outdoor swimming and explains the physiological responses to cold exposure, including the cold shock response. Heather elaborates on the potential mental benefits of cold-water swimming, such as reduced anxiety and increased resilience. However, she also cautions about the risks of extreme exposure and highlights the importance of safety and community in these practices.
Nov 18, 2025 • 29min
Do hot and cold therapies work?
Dr. Heather Massey, an Associate Professor at the University of Portsmouth and a seasoned cold-water swimmer, shares her expertise on thermoregulation and its implications for health. She discusses how our bodies maintain core temperature and dives into the physiological mechanisms behind hot and cold therapies. Heather examines the potential benefits of sauna use, cautions about safety for certain individuals, and highlights enjoyable alternatives to extreme temperature exposure, all while emphasizing a balanced approach to health.
Nov 11, 2025 • 19min
Doctors' Notes: All-or-Nothing Thinking
Kimberley Wilson, a Chartered psychologist and author, dives into the pitfalls of all-or-nothing thinking. She explains how this binary mindset manifests in therapy and its troubling role in our society and politics. Kimberley highlights the dangers of social media algorithms that amplify extreme viewpoints and shape generational differences in thought. She suggests evaluating online mental health claims, contrasting harmful actions with potential for change in individuals. The conversation is both insightful and necessary for understanding modern mental health.
Nov 11, 2025 • 29min
How to escape all-or-nothing thinking
Kimberley Wilson, a Chartered psychologist and author of Complex, joins Chris and Xand to tackle all-or-nothing thinking. She defines this binary mindset and explains why our brains lean towards simplistic views. They discuss how early childhood shapes these extremes and the clinical consequences of rigid thinking. Kimberley offers practical strategies like curiosity and giving the benefit of the doubt to shift toward nuance. The conversation emphasizes the importance of embracing uncertainty for better mental health.
