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 30, 2025 • 23min
Doctors' Notes: Joy
Professor Sophie Scott, a cognitive neuroscientist from University College London, delves into the fascinating neuroscience of joy. They explore how joy differs between spontaneous moments and achievements, discussing its evolutionary purpose. Sophie highlights the challenges in studying joy in lab settings and reflects on the bittersweet nature of parental joy. She also describes how joy can be cultivated, the risks of replacing social joy with drugs, and how music can stimulate reward networks, enhancing communal joy.
4 snips
Dec 30, 2025 • 28min
Is joy always good for us?
In this engaging conversation, Professor Sophie Scott, a renowned cognitive neuroscientist and stand-up comedian, dives into the complexities of joy. She explores how joy differs from happiness and offers insight into different kinds, like social laughter and prideful moments. The discussion highlights joy's potential risks and its relationship with emotional lows. They also tackle joy's fleeting nature, the impact of cultural celebrations, and how to cultivate joy in everyday life, emphasizing the importance of social connections.
Dec 23, 2025 • 30min
Doctors' Notes: Comfort
Chris and Xand continue their conversation about comfort with Dr Tiffany Watt Smith, writer and cultural historian interested in the histories of emotion and medicine, former director of the Centre for the History of Emotions at Queen Mary University of London, and fellow of the Royal Historical Society.Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken want to know what nostalgia is, how it can affect us, how it interacts with comfort, why certain things bring us comfort, and what comfort foods are. They also examine how nostalgic foods, like cultural foods for those separated from their culture, can bring us comfort in line with its original definition, and hear Dr Watt Smith’s top tips on getting through winter, informed by history.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
Researcher: Mili Ostojic
Producer: Faye Lyons White and Rami Tzabar
Social Media Producer: Leon Gower
Assistant Producer: Maia Miller-Lewis
Editor: Jo Rowntree
Tech Lead: Reuben Huxtable
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 23, 2025 • 29min
How can you find comfort in the winter months?
Dr. Tiffany Watt-Smith, a cultural historian and expert on the history of emotions, joins the van Tulleken twins to explore comfort in winter. They delve into how comfort's meaning has changed over time, tracing its Latin roots and examining communal practices like Sami midwinter rituals that foster resilience. Tiffany shares insights on hygge and the importance of social warmth, highlighting research connecting physical warmth to trust. The trio discusses balancing comfort with healthy discomfort and modernizing winter traditions to enhance well-being.
Dec 16, 2025 • 30min
Doctors' Notes: Hearing Loss
This week features Prof. Doris Bamiou, a leading expert in neuroaudiology from UCL. She dives into the intricacies of auditory processing disorder, explaining its causes, diagnosis, and the impact on everyday life. Doris discusses the importance of personalized hearing aids, the challenges of loudness recruitment, and how neurodivergence interacts with hearing challenges. Listeners will appreciate her insights on effective communication strategies and the latest technologies aiding those with hearing loss.
Dec 16, 2025 • 29min
What can you do about hearing loss?
In this enlightening conversation, Prof. Doris Bamiou, a leading expert in neuroaudiology, demystifies hearing loss and auditory cognition. She explains the 'cocktail party problem' and why it becomes more challenging with age. Discover how attention, prediction, and memory influence our ability to listen amidst noise. Doris also emphasizes the importance of social engagement and protective measures for maintaining hearing health. Plus, she shares practical tips on using headphones safely and recognizing harmful sounds around us.
Dec 9, 2025 • 22min
Doctors' Notes: Dopamine
Professor Masud Husain, a neurologist from the University of Oxford, dives into the intriguing world of dopamine. He reveals how dopamine drives motivation but is not the same as pleasure. Masud discusses the effects of dopamine disruptions, such as in Parkinson's, and the surprising link between apathy and various neurodegenerative diseases. He emphasizes the delicate balance of dopamine levels and the complexities of treatment, including the potential for compulsive behaviors. A fascinating exploration of our brain's motivation system!
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.
