Dr Karan Explores

💬 “When a 13 year old boy stumbles across pornography, I don't think very many of them are interested in seeing women being gagged or choked or degraded. But that is likely to be what they'll see” -Maree Crabbe ⚡️ Maree Crabbe is the Co-Founder of ‘It’s Time We Talked’, an organisation helping children and young people avoid porn’s influence. She has been interviewing people about porn and its impacts for 15 years. ⚡️ In this episode, Maree and I discuss the sharp rise in violent sexual acts being depicted in mainstream, online pornography - and how that’s crossing over into the bedroom. 🎧 Stay tuned to find out: ➡︎ How hardcore porn is reaching children as young as 9 ➡︎ How strangulation, coercion and deep-throating is becoming more prevalent ➡ Why the industry is increasingly promoting incest, teen and non-consesual themes ➡︎ What too much extreme porn is doing to our sexual health ➡︎ Strategies to reduce or eliminate porn from your life 📕 Chapters (1:11) More young people are watching porn (7:02) Rising aggression in porn (14:19) Is violence what the audience wants? (18:17) Violence in the bedroom (23:20) How porn causes sexual dysfunction (27:31) Is there “good” porn? (31:44) What can we do about porn? (38:25) Improving sex ed (42:17) Body image and rise in surgery (47:17) The problem of deepfake porn (50:02) What about porn stars? (52:21) Are you addicted? 📱 Connect with me: TikTok: https://www.instagram.com/drkaranrajan Instagram: https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.karanr 📱 Connect with Maree: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mareecrabbe/  Websites: https://itstimewetalked.com/ https://www.breathlesscampaign.com/ https://www.notthenorm.com.au/  🔥 For more useful science for your everyday life, grab my best selling book “This Book May Save Your Life”: https://geni.us/DrKaranBook  🎙️ An OG Podcasts production.

💬 “We've seen a marked increase in the amount of food allergy that's around, and it now affects 5% of UK children. Even in the adult population, it's become a major health issue.” -Prof Adam Fox ⚡️ Dr Adam Fox is a professor in paediatric allergy and runs award-winning private practice Allergy London. He’s also vocal on social media, helping people to better understand allergies and the treatments that are available. ⚡️ In this episode, Adam and I find out why allergies are on the rise globally, what the leading risk factors are for developing an allergy, and science-backed ways to reduce symptoms and reactions. 🎧 Stay tuned to find out: ➡︎ A discovery that’s turned the allergy world upside down ➡︎ Why eczema is so closely linked to the risk of developing allergies ➡ The science of the allergy response and why it happens ➡︎ The link between the gut microbiome and rising rates of allergies ➡︎ Why allergy tests are often a waste of time 📕 Chapters (1:02) Why allergies are on the rise (6:36) Science of the allergy response (12:39) May contain traces of… (15:58) Can allergies worsen over time? (17:35) How we outgrow allergies (20:03) Links to microbiome (25:42) Environment and climate change (34:12) Do allergy tests work? (38:03) Allergy v intolerance (43:02) Penicillin allergies (47:48) Sharing allergies with doctors (49:49) Allergy desensitisation (57:47) Strategies to control allergies 📱 Connect with me: TikTok: https://www.instagram.com/drkaranrajan Instagram: https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.karanr 📱 Connect with Adam: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dradamfox/  Website: https://www.allergylondon.com/  References: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/news/255793/food-allergy-doubles-uk-over-last/  🔥 For more useful science for your everyday life, grab my best selling book “This Book May Save Your Life”: https://geni.us/DrKaranBook  🎙️ An OG Podcasts production.

Julie McFadden, known as Hospice Nurse Julie, uses her experience to help people confront their fears around death and dying. She shares insights on why we avoid talking about death and its importance for a fulfilling life. Julie challenges misconceptions about hospice care and explains the phenomenon of terminal lucidity. Most strikingly, she discusses common deathbed regrets, such as neglecting relationships and health, urging listeners to embrace the present and prepare for end-of-life decisions.

Nicole Vignola, a renowned neuroscientist and author of *Rewire*, dives into the science of breaking bad habits and enhancing brain health. She reveals a simple trick to combat smartphone addiction and why mornings are crucial for mental clarity. Discover how exercise can sharpen brain function and why walking quiets fear receptors. Nicole shares insights on reframing negative self-talk and the impact of poor sleep on cognitive performance, equipping listeners with powerful strategies for lasting change and improved happiness.

Dr. Austin Chiang, a gastroenterologist, health influencer, and author of ‘Gut: An Owner’s Guide’, dives into critical gut health insights. He unveils alarming trends in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and rising colorectal cancer rates among young people. Discover the perils of popular gut hacks like colonic irrigation and probiotics, while clarifying the debate around leaky gut syndrome. Austin also discusses how AI is revolutionizing gastroenterology, enhancing patient care. It's a must-listen for anyone passionate about maintaining gut health.

💬 “Nature has lots of things that are really harmful. It has lots of things that are really benign. And that's the same with synthetic things. Synthetic things can be really toxic. They can be really safe.” -Dr Michelle Wong ⚡️ Dr Michelle Wong is a science educator, cosmetic chemist and founder of Lab Muffin Beauty Science, where she helps people figure out which beauty products are and aren’t worth buying. ⚡️ In this episode, Michelle and I put the chemical vs natural debate to the test, and look at the science of skin care products. What’s safe and what’s toxic? 🎧 Stay tuned to find out: ➡︎ Why it doesn’t need to be edible to go on your face ➡ Why homemade and DIY sunscreen is a terrible idea ➡︎ Why skin care ingredients actually work and which are overhyped ➡︎ A simple skin care guide for beginners ➡︎ The truth about preservatives like paraben 📕 Chapters (4:15) Does skin care actually work? (6:30) Inventing new skin care ingredients (9:45) Chemicals vs natural (12:39) DIY sunscreen (22:17) Sunscreen and vitamin D (28:47) Science of collagen (31:19) Overhyped ingredients (34:27) Parabens and preservatives (41:41) Becoming more skin care savvy (44:20) Science based skin care routine (50:01) Skin microbiome (52:50) Natural products that work 📱 Connect with me: TikTok: https://www.instagram.com/drkaranrajan Instagram: https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.karanr 📱 Connect with Michelle: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/labmuffinbeautyscience/  Website: https://labmuffin.com/  📕 Find Michelle’s book ‘The Science of Beauty’ here: https://amzn.eu/d/inztPnb  🔥 For more useful science for your everyday life, grab my best selling book “This Book May Save Your Life”: https://geni.us/DrKaranBook 🎙️ An OG Podcasts production.

In this discussion, Dr. Nicola Guess, a nutrition scientist at the University of Oxford specializing in type 2 diabetes prevention, dismantles common health myths. She reveals why continuous glucose monitors are mostly unnecessary for non-diabetics and critiques the misleading nature of microbiome tests claiming personalized advice. Nicola emphasizes the importance of a balanced approach to ultra-processed foods and the real health markers to monitor, offering actionable insights while cutting through the noise of trendy diet hacks.

💬 “Breast milk really is a nutritional powerhouse. It's more than nutrition. So many different factors come together to give your infants the best start in life.” -Dr Sioned Jones ⚡️ Dr Sioned Jones is the co-founder of BoobyBiome, an all-female team of doctors working out the science behind breast milk, what makes it so beneficial to the health of babies, and how we might be able to replicate its benefits. ⚡️ In this episode, Sioned and I explore the nutrients and bacteria that make up breast milk, and the crucial role it plays in establishing a healthy gut microbiome in infants. 🎧 Stay tuned to find out: ➡︎The side-effects of poor gut health in infants ➡︎How one of puzzling component of breast milk can now be harnessed to improve gut health ➡︎How a mother’s own microbiome impacts her baby’s ➡︎Why pumping and storing breast milk can compromise its health benefits ➡︎Whether you should be heading to your nearest lactation bar to chug down shots of the stuff! 📕 Chapters (2:04) What makes breast milk so great? (5:19) Breast milk vs formula (10:46) How mothers make breast milk (15:12) Adults drinking breast milk? (18:49) What causes poor gut health in babies? (22:01) Critical window for microbiome developments (26:00) Actionable strategies for mothers (28:32) Why storing breast milk may compromise its benefits (31:38) Benefits of colostrum (33:17) How breastfeeding benefits the mother (33:48) Scientific advancements (37:02) Fixing an unhealthy gut (40:04) Will formula ever match breast milk? (41:30) Other people breastfeeding your baby (43:57) Does a mother’s health affect breast milk quality? 📱 Connect with me: TikTok: https://www.instagram.com/drkaranrajan Instagram: https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.karanr 📱 Connect with Sioned: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsionedjones https://www.instagram.com/boobybiome LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sionedfjones/ 🔥 For more useful science for your everyday life, grab my best selling book “This Book May Save Your Life”: https://geni.us/DrKaranBook 🎙️ An OG Podcasts production.

In this discussion, Camilla Nord, an award-winning neuroscientist from the University of Cambridge, tackles the complexities of mental health. She emphasizes the often-overlooked role of interoception and gut health in emotional well-being. The conversation critiques traditional treatments and the simplification of brain chemistry. Nord also explores the links between genetics, experiences, and mental health, while urging a shift toward personalized treatment approaches. Discover actionable strategies to enhance mental wellness beyond common advice.

“We have, because of the nature of our information landscape now, essentially zero capacity to hold any accountability to sources of misinformation. So it's a really terrible time to be an evidence-based healthcare professional.” -Dr Alan Flanagan Dr Alan Flanagan is a major myth buster in the nutrition space, holding an MSc and PhD in nutrition from the University of Surrey. In this episode Alan and I debunk common nutrition advice you might be following, and explain the dangerous real life impact online influencers and “gurus” are having on your health. Stay tuned to find out: The dangers of following extreme diets like keto and carnivore Why you don’t need to be worried about glucose spikes The limitations of personalised nutrition and microbiome research Why sweeteners and seed oils have been wrongly demonised How to spot a charlatan online Chapters (2:12) Real life consequences of misinformation (8:00) Why people look to online “gurus” (13:17) Personalised nutrition con (20:36) Continuous glucose monitors (26:59) Seed oils are healthy! (32:50) Artificial sweeteners (39:49) Cancer misinformation (45:18) Does the time you eat matter? (49:22) Microbiome research (54:21) How to spot a charlatan online Connect with me: TikTok: https://www.instagram.com/drkaranrajan Instagram: https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.karanr For more useful science for your everyday life, grab my best selling book “This Book May Save Your Life”: https://geni.us/DrKaranBook An OG Podcasts production.