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
Oct 28, 2025 • 21min
Doctors' Notes: False memories
Dr. Linda Henkel, a cognitive psychologist specializing in memory and false memories, joins the hosts to explore the intriguing world of memory. They discuss how false memories shape identity and why some feel incredibly vivid. Linda shares insights on repressed memories, the potential impact of suggestive therapy, and the vulnerability to false recollections. The conversation also touches on unique cases from research, like the lost-in-mall study, and the implications for legal systems regarding eyewitness reliability.
Oct 28, 2025 • 29min
What should we do about false memories?
Dr. Linda Henkel, a Professor of Psychological and Brain Sciences, dives into the intriguing world of false memories. She explains how vivid but incorrect recollections can form through plausible imagination and the brain's source monitoring errors. Discussion covers how quickly these memories can develop and why some individuals are more susceptible to them. Henkel also shares practical tips to enhance memory accuracy, like collaborating with a friend and taking notes, while emphasizing the importance of accepting the fallibility of our memories.
Oct 21, 2025 • 24min
Doctors' Notes: Napping
Join Professor Russell Foster, a circadian neuroscience expert from the University of Oxford, as he dives into the intriguing world of napping. Discover why some people fall asleep with ease while others struggle. Explore cultural variations in napping habits, from Spain's siestas to Japan's power naps. Russell highlights how sleep needs shift with age, the impact of short naps on cognitive functions, and the genetic factors influencing our napping tendencies. Uncover the fascinating science behind our craving for rest!
10 snips
Oct 21, 2025 • 29min
Should you take naps?
Professor Russell Foster, a leading expert in circadian neuroscience from the University of Oxford, joins the conversation to decode the science of napping. He discusses why people nap differently and shares his own 25-minute napping technique. Learn about the brain's sleep stages, and how short naps can boost cognitive function. Foster also highlights studies linking regular napping to brain health while cautioning against long naps. He offers tips for the ideal napping routine and emphasizes the importance of prioritizing sleep for overall well-being.
Oct 14, 2025 • 17min
Doctors’ Notes: Embarrassment
Chris and Xand continue their conversation about embarrassment with Dr Tiffany Watt Smith, a cultural historian interested in the histories of emotion and medicine.They want to know: how power and hierarchical structures in your relationships affect your levels of embarrassment, and how embarrassment functions within the context of other emotions.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: Dr Tiffany Watt Smith
Producer: Maia Miller-Lewis and Jo Rowntree
Executive Producer: Rami Tzabar
Editor: Kirsten Lass
Researcher: Grace Revill
Tech Lead: Reuben Huxtable
Social Media: Leon Gower
Digital Lead: Richard Berry
Composer: Phoebe McFarlane
Sound Design: Ruth RaineyAt the BBC:
Assistant Commissioner: Greg Smith
Commissioning Editor: Rhian RobertsA Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4.
Oct 14, 2025 • 28min
Why do we get embarrassed?
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, the Doctors turn their attention to the curious emotion of embarrassment - why do we feel embarrassed? They want to know how it links to blushing, how it differs from shame or guilt, and whether it might actually serve a useful, protective and even healthy role in our lives.To get some answers, they speak with Dr Tiffany Watt Smith, a writer and cultural historian interested in the histories of emotion and medicine. 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: Dr Tiffany Watt Smith
Producers: Maia Miller-Lewis and Jo Rowntree
Executive Producer: Rami Tzabar
Editor: Kirsten Lass
Researcher: Grace Revill
Tech Lead: Reuben Huxtable
Social Media: Leon Gower
Digital Lead: Richard Berry
Composer: Phoebe McFarlane
Sound Design: Ruth RaineyAt the BBC:
Assistant Commissioner: Greg Smith
Commissioning Editor: Rhian RobertsA Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4
Oct 7, 2025 • 32min
Doctors’ Notes: Nature
Baroness Kathy Willis, a biodiversity expert from Oxford University, dives into the fascinating ways nature impacts human health. She shares compelling clinical studies demonstrating how views of nature can expedite recovery and reduce stress. Kathy discusses the calming effects of specific landscapes and scents, revealing that our innate responses to natural stimuli can enhance well-being. She emphasizes the need for urban green spaces and policies to ensure everyone can access nature, reminding us that a thriving ecosystem benefits us all.
Oct 7, 2025 • 29min
Is nature good for you?
Join Professor Kathy Willis, a biodiversity expert from Oxford University, as she reveals fascinating links between nature and our health. She discusses how natural environments lower stress and enhance our microbiome, and outlines the calming effects of plant scents. Kathy explains that even 20 minutes in green spaces can measurably reduce stress. The conversation also touches on inequalities in access to nature and the importance of bringing nature indoors. Prepare to rethink your time outdoors and its profound benefits!
12 snips
Sep 30, 2025 • 31min
Doctors' Notes: Psychedelics
Dr. James Rucker, a psychiatrist and psychedelic researcher at King's College London, dives into the fascinating world of psychedelics. He explains how these substances interact with brain receptors to foster new perspectives. The discussion highlights the contrast between traditional ceremonial use and modern recreational practices, as well as the myths surrounding microdosing, which shows little benefit beyond placebo. Rucker also touches on the evolving public perception of psychedelic research as curiosity grows and stigma wanes.
11 snips
Sep 30, 2025 • 28min
Can psychedelics improve your mental health?
Dr. James Rucker, a consultant psychiatrist at King's College London, is leading groundbreaking trials on psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression. He explains how psychedelics stimulate serotonin receptors, offering insights into their potential therapeutic effects. Rucker details the structure of psilocybin therapy, emphasizing the profound benefits patients report, such as improved mood and lasting remission. The discussion also touches on the fine balance of using psychedelics respectfully within cultural contexts and cautioning recreational use.
