Chasing Life

Discover the fascinating history of caffeine and its impact on civilization and consciousness, as science writer Michael Pollan shares his research. Explore the effects of caffeine on the brain, including increased alertness and subsequent crashes. Gain insights into the power of quitting caffeine and experiencing its effects firsthand.

Learn about the importance of rest for our brains and how it affects our overall health. Discover the benefits and best practices of napping, and explore the relationship between rest and brain health. Find out how to create nap-friendly spaces and prioritize rest in our busy lives.

Explore the challenges of staying focused in a distracting world, learn how attention spans have shortened over time, and discover techniques for improving attention and productivity.

Over the last year on the podcast Sanjay has been having some very candid conversations with his family. On this special episode of Chasing Life, we revisit conversations with his wife, Rebecca and daughters, Soleil, Sage and Sky about smartphones, social media and their impact on young people. Sanjay also speaks with his brother, Suneel and parents, Damyanti and Subhash, about the myth of the midlife crisis and the ways that we approach life as we age.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dr. Sanjay Gupta examines the potential benefits of medical marijuana. Over the last 10 years, Dr. Gupta's reporting on the topic has produced seven CNN documentaries. In his most recent investigation, he meets scientists and families who found success using marijuana for patients suffering with dementia. This special report originally aired on CNN on August 6, 2023.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chasing Life is taking a short break and will be back with new episodes next month. This week, we are sharing Dr. Gupta’s most recent documentary examining the potential benefits of medical marijuana. His investigation explores the fastest growing group of cannabis users, people who are 65 and older. This special report originally aired on CNN on August 6, 2023.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dr. Sanjay Gupta speaks with Dan Buettner, a National Geographic Fellow and author, about his research on the five Blue Zones around the world where people live longer and healthier lives. They discuss the importance of a healthy diet, movement, rest, fulfilling work, and a positive attitude in promoting longevity. They also explore the benefits of a plant-based diet, intermittent fasting, quality sleep, and gratitude in leading healthier and longer lives.

 Cannabis is often thought of as a young person’s drug. But the reality is that more and more people of all ages are asking their doctors about medical marijuana to treat a whole host of issues, from chronic pain, insomnia, and even some of the symptoms associated with dementia. What's behind this trend? To learn about the benefits and risks of this type of treatment, Dr. Gupta turns to Dr. Aaron Greenstein, a geriatric psychiatrist who treats patients over the age of 65 with mental health issues. Dr. Greenstein will share his personal story of using cannabis to help his grandmother in her final days, and what patients of all ages should consider when seeking out this type of treatment.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Caloric restriction. Blood transfusions. Hormetic stress. Off-label meds. As CNN’s Chief Medical Correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta is often asked about the latest “hacks” for longevity that pop up in the news. But do any of these interventions actually work? Can aging actually be stopped, much less reversed? In this episode, Sanjay speaks with Dr. Nir Barzilai, the director of the Institute for Aging Research at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. He believes one of the keys to battling aging lies in our cells and genetic makeup. Plus, we hear from self-professed “biohackers,” who have some tips we can all try to extend our healthy years.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's no secret there’s added pressure on women to appear ‘ageless.’ But is the pressure to appear youthful getting better or worse? On this episode, Sanjay sits down with actress, filmmaker and author Justine Bateman, who recently made headlines when she announced her decision to forgo fillers or plastic surgery and age ‘naturally.’ Why is a choice like this still so controversial? And what does that say about the way we view aging? Plus, University of California at Irvine Sociology Professor Sabrina Strings explains how attitudes about age and beauty impacts women on a whole different level, and what needs to be done to change the cycle.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices