Chasing Life

Food recalls seem to be making headlines more than ever. This summer, a major recall of roughly 7.2 million pounds of Boar's Head deli meats due to listeria raised serious concerns and sent 59 people to the hospital and resulted in 10 deaths. More recently, E. coli outbreaks linked to organic carrots and slivered onions in McDonald's quarter pounders brought the issue back into focus, Sanjay sits down with food safety expert Dr. Don Schaffner to explore why recalls happen and the steps you can take to keep your family safe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this intimate finale of a two-part special, Dr. Sanjay Gupta decides to find out his own risk of Alzheimer’s disease. As he confronts his own genetic markers and lifestyle factors, Sanjay breaks down the science behind Alzheimer’s risk and explores what steps might slow down the disease. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For the nearly 7 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s, progress on treatments has felt painfully slow and incremental at best…until now. Dr. Sanjay Gupta traveled the country meeting people who have slowed, prevented, and in some cases even reversed the spread of Alzheimer’s. These are their stories. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In a world marked by war and political polarization, it can certainly feel at times like we have all lost touch with the art of compromise – the wisdom to recognize that real progress demands sacrifice. Except, that’s not entirely true. Dr. Sanjay Gupta sits down with social psychologist Peter T. Coleman, author of “The Way Out: How to Overcome Toxic Polarization,” to discuss the fundamentals of navigating difficult conversations, how our brains evolved to handle conflict, and why reaching a compromise is not always the best solution. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Americans are sugar obsessed. Can we cut back without making life feel less sweet? This Halloween, sugar studies expert Laura Schmidt shares tips for taming your sweet tooth. Plus, why she says we need to stop debating if sugar is addictive. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sara Sidner is a hard-hitting CNN journalist. Ananda Lewis is a content creator and former 90s MTV host. Both are living with breast cancer. Both are also the best friends of CNN's Stephanie Elam who asked them to sit down and talk – and get real – about their fears, their determination and their newfound joy after this devastating diagnosis. In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Chasing Life brings you this special conversation between three friends about a journey that is all too familiar for so many.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Overwhelmed, stressed, constantly anxious – that's life as a parent, right? If you feel this way, the good and bad news is that you’re not alone. CNN’s Chief Medical Dr. Sanjay Gupta, a father of three teenage girls, turns to parenting expert Dr. Becky Kennedy – known online simply as ‘Dr. Becky’ -- for advice. And they get personal. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The brain is one of the most complex and mysterious organs in our body, and neurosurgeons are at the forefront of unraveling its secrets. But what’s it really like behind the scenes in the operating room, and how do neurosurgeons view the brain’s deepest mysteries? Sanjay sits down with Dr. Theodore Schwartz, a leading neurosurgeon and author of Gray Matters, to delve into the personal experiences that have shaped their careers, explore the impact of AI on brain surgery, and how their work pushes the boundaries of what we know about the human mind. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The U.S. government recently proposed rescheduling cannabis from a Schedule I to a Schedule III drug — basically signaling it has some accepted medical use and a moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence. But what does this mean in the real world exactly? Sanjay talks with “The Pot Doc” Dr. Staci Gruber, Director of the Marijuana Investigations for Neuroscientific Discovery (MIND) program in Boston, to explore the possible impacts of this rescheduling on research, healthcare, and yes – even you.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Antibiotics have been hailed as a "miracle drug" since the discovery of penicillin in 1928. But now, more bacteria are developing resistance to antibiotics, making them difficult or nearly impossible to treat. One recent study estimated that these so-called “superbugs” could cause nearly 40 million deaths worldwide between now and 2050. Dr. Sanjay Gupta speaks to researchers exploring the use of naturally occurring viruses that destroy bacteria, to see if they can be used as an alternative treatment method when all else fails, and before time runs out. This special report originally aired December 3rd, 2023. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

One of the most dangerous plays in football, the kickoff, is getting a makeover this year. The NFL introduced new rules aimed at reducing injuries while also making the game more exciting. Sanjay talks with Dr. Allen Sills, the NFL’s Chief Medical Officer, about the future of football, how to balance safety with excitement, and what it’s like to be brain doctors who love a dangerous game. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Anxiety and depression are surging on college campuses, according to research from the University of Michigan. Two in five teens say they feel persistently sad or lonely, in a recent report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sanjay sits down with psychologist Dr. Nance Roy to unpack why college student mental health was declining long before the pandemic, what’s impacting students’ wellbeing, and some steps to foster a healthy semester. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

New developments in actor Matthew Perry’s death are shining a light on the ethics and efficacy of using ketamine as a therapeutic drug. To learn more about the promise and pitfalls of ketamine treatment, CNN’s Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta turns to David Feifel, one of the first clinicians in the country to use ketamine to specifically treat depression. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This has been the hottest summer on record for nearly 100 US cities. Extreme heat isn't just uncomfortable, it can also cause a lot of harm -- even death. Dr. Sanjay Gupta talks to Dr. Gaurab Basu, a Harvard assistant professor and climate change expert about the very real effects of extreme temperatures on the human body.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We've all heard about the importance of wearing sunscreen, but recent headlines have raised questions about the safety and effectiveness of certain ingredients found in chemical sunscreens. In this special Chasing Life: Spotlight, CNN Medical Correspondent Meg Tirrell investigates some of the questions and concerns surrounding sunscreen. She speaks with skin cancer researcher Dr. Rachel Neale and Dr. Laura Vandenberg, who studies potential effects of certain sunscreen chemicals on hormone function. Hear about the latest findings on ingredient safety and how they could impact your daily sun protection routine.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How would you define a “good” life? Is it being married with kids? Traveling with friends? Basking in fame and fortune? The Harvard Study on Adult Development has spent nearly 90 years examining what makes people happy and healthy over a lifetime. The director of the study, Dr. Robert Waldinger, has shared the findings in his book, “The Good Life: Lessons from the Longest Scientific Study on Happiness.” He tells Dr. Sanjay Gupta why no one should expect to be happy all the time, and how men and women measure happiness differently.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nearly 11,000 athletes are competing in the Paris Olympic Games right now. They’ve been training their bodies to compete at the highest levels of sport. But what kind of mindset does it take to bring home the gold, silver or bronze medal? How do they navigate nerves and perform under pressure? Cognitive scientist, Dartmouth College President and former athlete, Sian Beilock says that practicing under pressure situations and focusing on the present can help. Plus, four-time Olympic medalist, Dominique Dawes recounts how she overcame several stumbles and still won gold.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We’ve all heard the phrase, “money doesn’t buy happiness.” But, Elizabeth Dunn, a professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of British Columbia, says that isn’t necessarily true. She sits down with Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN’s Chief Medical Correspondent, to talk about her research into getting the “biggest happiness bang for our bucks,” and lessons from her book, “Happy Money: The Science of Happier Spending.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Have you ever wondered why some people seem naturally happier than others? Or if there are any universal keys to happiness? Sanjay sits down with social psychologist and University of California Riverside Professor Sonja Lyubomirsky who has been studying happiness for the last 35 years. The author of The How of Happiness discusses her findings and what she calls “happiness interventions” as well as how we can apply these practices in our own lives to boost our happiness.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Trying new things. Setting Goals. Rebounding from setbacks.  All of these tasks have at least one thing in common – they require confidence. And according to neuropsychologist Ian Robertson, confidence can also make us happier. Robertson is the T Boone Pickens Distinguished Chair at the Center for BrainHealth, UT Dallas, an Emeritus Professor at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland, and author of How Confidence Works: The New Science of Self Belief. He and Dr. Sanjay Gupta discuss how confidence might be the most important resource for well-being and why imposter syndrome isn’t such a bad thing.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Have you ever wondered if stress and trauma from your past could be making you sick? Author and trauma expert Dr. Gabor Maté, says our past experiences may literally be the root cause of “trauma related illness,” something he writes about in his most recent book, “The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness, and Healing in a Toxic Culture.” Drawing on his experience as both a Holocaust survivor, and a physician, Mate sits down with Dr. Sanjay Gupta for an intimate and wide-ranging conversation to share his steps for healing and living happier lives. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When it comes to finding joy and happiness, exercise is not always top of mind but maybe it should be. Exercise benefits our physical health as well as helps to reduce anxiety, stress and symptoms of depression, yet many Americans say exercise is not something they enjoy. So where’s the disconnect? And how can people consistently reap the “feel good” benefits of exercise? Health psychologist and author of The Joy of Movement: How Exercise Helps Us Find Happiness, Hope, Connection and Courage, Kelly McGonigal talks with Sanjay about the why moving your body can be a source of joy and hope. And for listeners who say they don’t enjoy exercise or have limited mobility, she has some tips that might turn things around. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dr. Anthony Fauci became a household name during the COVID-19 pandemic as director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. But the coronavirus pandemic wasn’t the first public health crisis Dr. Fauci helped Americans navigate, or the first time he’s come under fire. Dr. Fauci sits down for an interview with CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta to discuss his life and new memoir "On Call: A Doctor’s Journey in Public Service." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

An update on the current bird flu outbreak: it’s still infecting wild birds, mammals and now several farmworkers in the United States. The virus does not appear to be transmitted between humans, but can we prevent further spread? And what are public health officials doing to contain it? Immunologist and virologist Rick Bright has been studying the bird flu for decades and tells Dr. Sanjay Gupta why he thinks more action is needed and who he thinks should be leading the charge. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With the surge in telemedicine, therapy has seen a remarkable rise in popularity. But could therapy hold the key to a happier life? And should everyone go to therapy? Sanjay speaks with psychotherapist Lori Gottlieb, acclaimed author of "Maybe You Should Talk to Someone," and co-host of the Dear Therapists podcast, about how therapy can actually change your brain and get you one step closer to achieving happiness. Plus, Lori sheds light on the surprising ways therapy can reshape your perspective, especially for those who are therapy-curious. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do you spend time worrying about what could go wrong in the future, or stressing about something you did or said in the past? That nagging feeling has a name: anxiety. But what if worrying about preventing anxiety is actually getting in the way of our happiness? New York University neuroscientist Wendy Suzuki is on a mission to help more people accept, and even embrace, what she calls “the most misunderstood emotion.” In this episode, we’ll explore an unexpected solution to happiness: embracing stress and how accepting “good” anxiety can help us feel happier and more at ease with uncomfortable feelings. Plus, Professor Suzuki explains why our society’s obsession with avoiding anxiety and negative emotions may be doing more harm than good. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Have you ever wondered: What does it mean to be truly happy? Can our brain chemistry, or even our genetics, determine how we feel about our lives? And, most importantly, can we learn to be even happier? Cognitive scientist and Yale University Psychology Professor Laurie Santos has spent her career researching these questions. As the host of The Happiness Lab, Laurie has gone on her own journey to discover what it truly means to be happy. On today’s podcast episode, Professor Santos will share her findings and how she says we can re-train our brains to make better choices, build better habits, and ultimately, be happier.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It turns out a simple “thank you” really can go a long way. In fact, giving thanks doesn’t just make others feel good – it can also boost your own mental and physical well-being. Dr. Sanjay Gupta hears how gratitude helped one woman navigate a life-changing medical diagnosis. Plus, how you can implement a gratitude practice into your daily life. This episode originally aired on May 17, 2022. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We've all heard of processed foods, but what about ultraprocessed foods, which make up more than half of the typical American diet? In this special Chasing Life: Spotlight, CNN Medical Correspondent Meg Tirrell explores how these foods became so widespread and the potential risks they pose to our health. She speaks with Professor Marion Nestle, a leading authority on nutrition and food policy and NIH senior investigator Kevin Hall, who conducted the first and only controlled clinical trial on ultraprocessed foods. Hear about the study's remarkable findings; it may change some of the choices you make in the grocery store.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The U.S. is grappling with a recently discovered outbreak of avian influenza in dairy cows, driven by the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus. It's the first instance that the bird flu virus has been detected in US cattle. How concerned should we be about drinking milk or even eating chicken? And could this lead to the next pandemic? Sanjay speaks with epidemiologist Prof. Michael Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota, about the complexities of the current outbreak and what the public needs to know right now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Global temperatures are rising, severe storms are intensifying and people are feeling climate anxiety. Does saving the planet mean living without comfort or convenience? Can policies and technology turn things around? CNN Chief Climate Correspondent, Bill Weir believes taking better care of the earth and our ourselves can go hand-in-hand. He talks with Dr. Sanjay Gupta about what’s working, what needs to change and why there is reason to be optimistic about the future. They also discuss Weir’s call to action - his new book, “Life as We Know It (Can Be): Stories of People, Climate and Hope in a Changing World.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For many of us, our weight and eating habits feel deeply intertwined. But how do you strike a balance between eating for pleasure and eating for fuel? How can we reframe our relationship with food – so it doesn't revolve around what’s “bad” or “good?” Sanjay speaks with Dr. Linda Shiue, an internal medicine physician, trained chef, and the author of Spicebox Kitchen. Dr. Shiue sheds light on sustainable approaches to healthy eating and we’ll hear from listeners about the foods that bring them joy.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When it comes to optimizing our mental and physical health, many of us focus on managing our weight and metabolic function. But what happens when the numbers are good but the way we feel about our bodies is bad? Should we be striving to love the way we look? Or is it better to not think about our bodies at all? Actress and activist, Jameela Jamil thinks a lot about health, food and diet culture. After years of struggling with anorexia, “The Good Place,” star and host of the "I Weigh with Jameela Jamil" podcast tells Sanjay why she thinks food, mental health, and body image are intertwined. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Keto. High protein. Intermittent fasting. So many diets claim to be the best way to lose weight. But do diets actually work? Research shows that diets don’t lead to long-term weight loss for most people, and that even two people following the same “healthy” diet can have wildly different results. Stanford University nutrition professor Dr. Christopher Gardner has spent more than 20 years studying nutrition and comparing different diets. He spoke to CNN’s Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta to share what he’s learned and shares his tips for personalizing the way you eat to fit your body’s needs.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

There's no shortage of products and procedures promising a quick way to weight loss. But do they work? Or is it all just marketing and hype? In this episode, Sanjay speaks with Dr. Mikhail Varshavski – better known as Doctor Mike — who has made it his mission to debunk medical misinformation. He’ll dive into popular weight loss methods, how they supposedly work, and the truth behind cleanses, juices, tummy teas, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Thirteen years ago, Seattle-based writer Lindy West wrote an essay that took the internet by storm called “Hello, I’m Fat.” That essay would become the 2016 New York Times best-selling memoir, Shrill: Notes from a Loud Woman, and later a Hulu television series. On today’s episode, Lindy, who is still writing and hosts a podcast, sits down with CNN’s Chief Medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta for a candid and honest conversation about living as a self-described “fat” person, and how the way she thinks about weight has changed since writing Shrill.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How much do our genetics determine our destiny when it comes to how much we weigh? Cambridge geneticist Giles Yeo says your genes play a bigger role than you might think. “In casino terms, the house will always win if the die is weighted just a little bit one way versus the other.” On today’s Chasing Life, Professor Yeo, a pioneer in the field of obesity research, joins Dr. Sanjay Gupta to explain his ground-breaking research into why some people are genetically predisposed to eat more, and why it’s still so controversial to classify obesity as a “disease.” Plus, Professor Yeo shares how to treat and prevent obesity, a condition that impacts more than 40 percent of Americans, and counting. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Weight gain is a common complaint among women in their 40s and 50s, with many blaming it on the ups and downs of menopause. But what exactly is the connection between menopause and weight gain? And can anything to be done to avoid it? In this episode, Sanjay speaks to Dr. Monica Christmas, the director of the menopause program at the University of Chicago Medicine and an associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology. She explains effective strategies for tackling midlife weight gain and shares practical advice on navigating this transformative phase with grace. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alabama’s Supreme Court has ruled that embryos are children and anyone discarding frozen embryos could face wrongful death charges. So where does this leave fertility doctors and their patients in the state? And could this ruling have national implications? For this special episode, Dr. Sanjay Gupta turns to IVF expert, Dr. Eve Feinberg from the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University. She explains how embryos are handled during the IVF process and why the ruling is contentious for fertility care providers. Also, CNN Correspondent Isabel Rosales shares how some families and fertility clinics in Alabama have responded. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Children and adolescents are expected to gain weight as they age, but how much is too much? Childhood obesity rates are on the rise, along with disordered eating among teens. So how can kids and their parents address this head on? Dr. Jack Yanovski, a pediatric endocrinologist at the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development recommends first determining who is most concerned about the weight. From there, he tells Sanjay about the causes and consequences of high body weight in kids, as well as treatment options – which include weight loss medications for children as young as 12. Dr. Yanovski also offers guidance on how to talk to kids about food and weight. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Long before WeightWatchers became a weight loss empire, the legacy dieting company started as a small support group in the 1960s. The company rose to popularity preaching a message of moderation and making healthy choices. But in what some call a surprising pivot, WeightWatchers is changing the way the company does business. On today’s Chasing Life, CEO Sima Sistani sits down with Dr. Sanjay Gupta to share why she’s making these big changes, namely, embracing telehealth and weight loss drugs like Wegovy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s become a multibillion-dollar business: weight loss drugs. Demand is high, as is the cost. How did medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound become so popular and so profitable? And what kind of impact might they have on the future of food and healthcare? Dr. Sanjay Gupta turns to his CNN colleague Meg Tirrell for answers, and a little context about the business behind these new medications. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

New drugs like Wegovy, Ozempic and Mounjaro are billed as a revolutionary new approach for losing weight. But are these actually miracle drugs? Dr. Sanjay Gupta turns to Yale School of Medicine assistant professor Dr. Jorge Moreno to explain the science behind these medications – from the benefits to the risks to the unknowns. Plus, what anyone who’s interested in taking these drugs should know. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Everybody knows losing weight is tough. But why? While diet, exercise, and willpower might have something to do with it. The root may lie in how we humans have evolved as a species. Could our bodies be hardwired to resist shedding pounds? In this episode, Sanjay speaks to Daniel Lieberman, a paleoanthropologist and professor of human evolutionary biology at Harvard University. He’ll explain how our bodies evolved to hold onto fat as a strategy for survival. Plus, we'll get tips for exercising and eating right, with our evolutionary needs in mind. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

At the start of 2024, many of us are thinking about how to look and feel our best. For some of us, that means making changes to our weight. But what does weight really tell us about our health? And are there other metrics we should be looking at? In this episode, Sanjay speaks with Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford, an obesity medicine physician and scientist at Massachusetts General Hospital and a professor at Harvard Medical School. She explains what makes a “healthy weight,” and why changes in diet and exercise don't help everyone.  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. But for now, we want to highlight a powerful new season of the CNN podcast, All There Is with Anderson Cooper. In the first episode of the second season, Anderson Cooper continues his deeply personal journey through grief and, learn from others who’ve experienced life-altering losses. He also talks with psychotherapist and author Francis Weller, whose book “The Wild Edge of Sorrow” gives him hope for facing his grief. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s that time of year when we start to think about what we want and who we’ll be in 2024. Maybe you’d like to eat more brain food, or set some boundaries around your screen time. Maybe you’re wondering how to keep fit as you age, or how to forgive someone in your life. However you’re looking to grow, Chasing Life has advice for you. In our final episode of 2023, Dr. Sanjay Gupta rounds up some of the top tips from all our wonderful guests. You never know what could change your life! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How can we test our brain health? What happens to the brain during pregnancy? And how easily does the brain heal from alcohol? On today’s episode, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN’s Chief Medical Correspondent, answers listener’s questions about the inner workings of the brain, and shares what he has learned after decades in the operating room and reporting on this powerful, 3.5 pound organ. Plus, Dr. Gupta shares his top tips for keeping sharp. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

During the holiday season, we’re often encouraged to make amends and forgive people, but what does it take to really forgive someone? And what happens to your brain and body when you do... or don’t? In this episode, Sanjay talks with forgiveness science pioneer, Robert Enright. He’s been studying and writing about forgiveness for decades at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and he says forgiveness is a choice, and that your ability to do it can be strengthened like a muscle. Enright walks us through a range of scenarios, from forgiving small things like being late for a meeting to larger ones, like forgiving someone who’s engaged in violence.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you’re feeling anxious or overwhelmed, taking out the trash or doing laundry is normally the last thing on your mind. Therapist KC Davis says that’s by design. Sometimes, brains are too focused on survival mode to complete even the simplest of tasks. So how can we beat this mental block? On today’s episode, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN’S Chief Medical Correspondent, sits down with Davis to discuss the link between messiness and mental health. Plus, Davis shares her approach to tackling clutter from her book, “How To Keep House While Drowning.”  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Online dating has changed the way we approach and pursue relationships. Like so much in modern life, potential partners are at the mercy of an algorithm that decides who we interact with. But has technology actually changed what we’re looking for? Can attraction and desire be predicted? Helen Fisher, a biological anthropologist and Chief Science Advisor at Match.com, has been on the front lines of the clash between a centuries-old phenomenon and relatively new technology. In this episode, she talks to CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta about what has and hasn’t changed about the dating brain. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nearly one in five US adults are diagnosed with depression at some point in their lives. As the use of antidepressants have steadily risen since their introduction in the 1980s, what have we learned about depression? Is depression truly a “chemical imbalance” of the brain? And why do antidepressants work for some people and not others? Sanjay talks to Dr. Charles Raison, a professor of psychiatry at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, about what we now believe causes depression, and most importantly, what this means for how we treat the illness - from SSRIs to psychedelics and other emerging therapies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

More than three years after the outset of the Covid-19 pandemic, many long Covid patients are still experiencing brain fog, extreme fatigue, and myriad other health issues, leaving some unable to complete even the most basic of daily tasks. How should long Covid patients approach treatment, let alone everyday life? In this episode, Sanjay speaks to David Putrino, the director of rehabilitation innovation for the Mount Sinai Health System. He tells us about his latest research into identifying a possible biomarker for the condition and how we can all help those at high risk of developing it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The spooky season can be a divisive one. Some of us love being scared, and others avoid it at all costs. Author Stephen King has been terrifying readers for nearly 50 years, and knows what makes us scream. So how does he do it, and what’s happening in our brains when we’re afraid? Does anything frighten the king of horror? Sanjay talks to King, one of his favorite writers, about his latest book, “Holly,” and the benefits of fear in everyday life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Many of us have been told that foods like blueberries, salmon, and leafy greens are “good for the brain.” But what does that really mean? Can eating certain foods make us smarter? More alert? Less stressed? Sanjay talks to nutritional psychiatrist and personal chef, Dr. Uma Naidoo about what foods improve brain function and influence the way we feel. She’ll also share her secret sauce: a few nutritious and delicious ways to eat carbs, fats and sugar. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the latest news cycle, you’re not alone. That’s why, on today’s podcast, Dr. Sanjay Gupta turns to psychiatrist and author Dr. Gail Saltz from the New York Presbyterian Hospital, Weill-Cornell Medical College, to talk about the toll violent images and videos from Israel and Gaza can have on our mental health – even if you’re watching from afar on the news or social media. They’ll address how to talk to children and teens about the ever-evolving situation and share tips on how to manage stress and anxiety when the news cycle is unrelenting. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

From the NFL to youth soccer, sports teams have been forced to reckon with decades of research showing the risks of repeated blows to the head through contact sports. At the same time, participation in organized team sports has been found to be extremely beneficial for the developing brain. So how should parents square those facts and find a safe middle ground for their kids? In this episode, Sanjay speaks to Julie Stamm, a clinical assistant professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Kinesiology and author of the book “The Brain on Youth Sports.” She explains why even those who don’t play sports should be aware of the risks and shares tips on how we all can keep our heads protected. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What happens in the brain during menopause? As it turns out, the brain gets remodeled, and even rewired, during that very specific time of life. And, while menopause often includes symptoms like hot flashes, brain fog, and mood swings... you may be surprised to learn it’s not all bad! On this episode of Chasing Life, Dr. Sanjay Gupta learns from neuroscientist Dr. Lisa Mosconi that there are upsides to this biological phase natural to half the human population. Plus, ways female-identifying people can prepare for it, and a possible link between menopause and Alzheimer’s.  To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Are you someone who needs a cup of coffee or spot of tea to start the day? Would you be surprised to hear that the key ingredient, the thing that gives you that morning boost - caffeine - is also a psychoactive drug? Whether it’s coffee, tea or soda, people around the world consume some form of caffeine every day. Even kids! But what is it actually doing to our brains? What causes that jolt of energy in the morning, and what are the drawbacks? On this episode of Chasing Life, Dr. Sanjay Gupta talks to science writer Michael Pollan about his research, the history of caffeine – and quitting cold turkey. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

From work responsibilities to social engagements to family commitments, our days are jam-packed, and it can be tough to give your brain a break. Rest is an important ingredient for good health, but do you really understand why? On this episode of Chasing Life, Professor Victoria Garfield, who studies sleep and how it impacts our brains and our bodies as we get older, explains what it is about rest that is so good for our brains. Why it’s so important to take time to relax and what surprising new research tells us about the simple act of napping. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you have trouble focusing on books, work, or even TV shows, you’re not alone. The fact is our attention spans are getting shorter. And it can feel like our ability to perform and be productive is harder. But is a shorter attention span actually impacting our brain function and overall health? Does it really help to block distractions like social media? In our first episode of an all new season, Sanjay speaks to Gloria Mark, a professor of informatics at the University of California, Irvine, and author of “Attention Span: A Groundbreaking Way to Restore Balance, Happiness and Productivity.” She’ll tell us what’s actually going on in the brain when we’re attentive and why we’re less focused than we used to be. Professor Mark will also share tips for sharpening our attention spans that go beyond “just put down your phone.” To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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

All season, we’ve been exploring how we can all make the most of our age, at any age. But can where we live improve our longevity? In this episode, Dr. Sanjay Gupta speaks with National Geographic Fellow and author Dan Buettner. He tells us about the five communities around the world he identified where people live longer and healthier lives than the rest of us, dubbed “Blue Zones.” We’ll explore what they are doing right and how we can apply those findings to our daily lives. And to celebrate the final episode of this season, check out the Chasing Life: Better with Age Playlist assembled by the team.  https://qrco.de/beElWD  To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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

For years, people have been faced with the possibility of suffering a ‘midlife crisis’ when they near age 40. But is the concept scientifically sound? And now that millennials are entering midlife, is what they’re experiencing different than previous generations? In this episode, Sanjay has a candid conversation with his younger brother Suneel about how he is approaching middle age. Then, University of British Columbia professor Nancy Sin explains why midlife is becoming more stressful, and how we all can better deal with it. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When you’re young, making friends can feel pretty simple, but as you age it can be harder. But it’s important to have friends and there’s scientific proof that quality relationships are important for healthy aging. How can good friendships improve our health outcomes as we age? And how do we make friends at every stage of life? On this episode of Chasing Life, CNN Chief Medical Correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, reunites with author, psychologist and friendship expert, Marisa Franco to talk about why having good friends is good for our health and the current loneliness epidemic. Plus she’ll share tips on how to make friends, at any age. Plus, a conversation between Sanjay and his best friend of almost 40 years, Sujit. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Chasing Life team is off for the holiday, we'll be back next week with another new episode. In the meantime, we are sharing another CNN Audio series, The Prince Mixtape. A series that takes listeners inside the life of one of the greatest American music icons through the people who knew him, worked with him or simply loved him from afar. Host Nichole Perkins digs deep into key moments of his life like when his sexually liberated lyrics gave birth to the Parental Advisory sticker, when he fought to own his masters, and when he rocked that infamous booty cut-out pantsuit. Just like a treasured mixtape from your favorite crush, this show is a reflection of the moments, the thrill and the passion, that made up Prince’s life. 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 that our bodies change as we age. We can see it in decreased flexibility and endurance, and older folks can become more susceptible to injuries due to falls. However, experts say there are ways to overcome those challenges and unlock our body’s full potential. In today’s episode, Dr. Sanjay Gupta talks with former long-distance swimmer Diana Nyad nearly 10 years after her record-breaking swim from Havana to Key West at the age of 64. Then, a strength and conditioning coach will tell Sanjay why a focus on jogging may not be the optimal workout for aging bodies. He’ll also share some alternative exercises that people of all ages can try.  To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Getting older is often seen as a negative, or something to avoid. But the reality is, it’s happening to us every minute of every day. Is there a better way to think about our journey through the years? In our first episode of an all-new season, CNN’s Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta sits down with his parents to talk about their approach to getting older. Plus, did you know changing our mindset around aging can influence our health and longevity? To learn more, Dr. Gupta turns to Professor Becca Levy, a professor of epidemiology and psychology at Yale University and author of Breaking the Age Code. Levy shares her science-backed strategies for living longer by simply re-framing the way we think, and talk, about aging -- useful information, no matter how old you are.   To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We're all getting older -- every minute of every day - but the word "aging" often feels like a dirty word. Why is there such stigma attached to getting older? How can we prepare to transition through the different stages of life? CNN's Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta, now in his 50s, is asking these questions, and many more, on the new season of Chasing Life. Join Sanjay as he looks at how his body and mind are changing in real-time and talks to some of his closest friends and family about the passage of time. Building on decades of his own reporting and the latest cutting edge research, Sanjay will explore how he, and the rest of us -- whether we are in our 20s, 50s or 80s -- can look at getting older in a new light and be the best version of ourselves at any age. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A recent advisory from US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy says there’s not enough evidence to determine whether social media is safe enough for children and adolescents when it comes to their mental health. In this special episode of Chasing Life, Dr. Sanjay Gupta goes one-on-one with Dr. Murthy to examine what led him to sound the alarm, and who should be responsible for tackling the issue. Plus, Sanjay will reflect on conversations he’s had with his own family about the topic and ask Dr. Murthy how his family handles screen time and social media. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ten years ago, when Dr. Sanjay Gupta began investigating medical marijuana, very few people had ever heard of cannabidiol, or CBD. Six years later, two-thirds of Americans were familiar with CBD and 1 in 7 had tried it. In this episode, Dr. Gupta’s fifth documentary on medical marijuana explores how the science has grown by leaps and bounds and could benefit everything from autism to anxiety. This special report originally aired on CNN on September 29, 2019. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ten years ago, when Dr. Sanjay Gupta began investigating medical marijuana, very few people had ever heard of cannabidiol, or CBD. Six years later, two-thirds of Americans were familiar with CBD and 1 in 7 had tried it. In this episode, Dr. Gupta’s fifth documentary on medical marijuana explores how the science has grown by leaps and bounds and could benefit everything from autism to anxiety. This special report originally aired on CNN on September 29, 2019.   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 10 years, Dr. Gupta's reporting on the topic has produced six CNN documentaries and a seventh is in the works. In this episode, the very first of those CNN documentaries. Dr. Gupta travels the world and speaks to experts and patients looking for answers. What does marijuana do to you? What does it do to your kids? In the process of his reporting, Dr. Gupta made some discoveries of his own. This special report originally aired on CNN on August 11, 2013. 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 10 years, Dr. Gupta's reporting on the topic has produced six CNN documentaries and a seventh is in the works. In this episode, the very first of those CNN documentaries, Dr. Gupta travels the world and speaks to experts and patients looking for answers. What does marijuana do to you? What does it do to your kids? In the process of his reporting, Dr. Gupta made some discoveries of his own. This special report originally aired on CNN on August 11, 2013. 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. In the meantime, we want to highlight some amazing work from CNN. This week, The Assignment with Audie Cornish. This podcast knows the fiery twitter threads and endless news notifications never capture the full story. Each week host Audie Cornish pulls listeners out of their digital echo chambers to hear from the people who live the headlines. This week, just in time for Mental Health Awareness month, she dives into “therapy speak” with two psychologists, Dr. Arianna Brandolini and Dr. Luana Marques. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This season, we’ve heard from experts, parents, and teens about how screen time is shaping our lives. But this has also been a family affair. On today’s episode, Dr. Sanjay Gupta sits down with his wife, Rebecca, to reflect on their biggest lessons learned along the way, and the pressure on parents to get it right. Plus, we hear from some of our listeners about how they have changed their own habits.  To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Think back to the first time you held a smartphone or tablet in your hands. For most adults, this probably happened later in life. Now, a new generation of kids is growing up exposed to screen time as toddlers, or even babies. What impact will this screen time have on their very young and still growing brains? Dr. Dimitri Christakis takes us inside his lab at the Seattle Children's Research Institute and demonstrates how he studies some very young research participants. Plus, Dr. Christakis sits down with CNN’s Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta and shares his most realistic tips for setting screen time limits.  To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Gen Z is the first generation to truly grow up online and now they’re joining the fight to log off. In February, college student and founder of the Log Off Movement, Emma Lembke, testified in front of a Senate committee about the impact that social media companies have on youth mental health. Emma is one of many activists, including parents and politicians from both sides of the aisle, calling for increased government regulation of social media companies. Dr. Sanjay Gupta talks with CNN Technology Reporter Brian Fung about a Supreme Court case that could open those companies to more lawsuits. Plus, we dive into what we actually know about the privacy concerns surrounding TikTok and if a nationwide ban is possible. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

American teens are experiencing a rise in mental health challenges according to a new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This includes high levels of sadness amid significant declines in overall well-being, especially among girls and LGBQ+ youth. Could social media be part of the problem? Dr. Sanjay Gupta turns to Professor Keneisha Sinclair-McBride, a child psychologist at Boston Children’s Hospital, to unpack this data and discuss the connection between social media and youth mental health. Sanjay also asks his teenage daughter, Sky, about how social media affects our self-esteem.  To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This season, we’ve been talking about the potential dangers of social media and the amount of time we spend online. But what about the positive, educational sides of the internet? On this episode, Dr. Sanjay Gupta talks to one of the YouTube’s earliest content creators, Hank Green. Sanjay and Hank discuss the state of the internet today, the responsibility of having a platform, and how to deal with harsh online comments. Plus, they ask is the future of the internet utopian? Dystopian? Or maybe both? To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

These days, it’s easy to be glued to your phone and have mixed feelings about it. If you spend too little time, you feel disconnected. But too much time can make you feel bad. So, Dr. Sanjay Gupta explores a possible solution - digital detox. But what does that really mean? On today’s episode, science journalist Catherine Price and author of the book, “How to Break Up With Your Phone: The 30-Day Plan to Take Back Your Life,” shares her tools for breaking up and making up with your phone. Plus, Sanjay’s college-bound daughter, Sage, shares her perspective. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do you ever feel like you or your kids are spending way too much time on your phones? Have you ever caught yourself scrolling for hours on end? When so much of our lives center around our phones, it’s hard to know how much screen time is too much. For answers, Dr. Sanjay Gupta sits down with self-described “mediatrician”, Dr. Michael Rich, who co-directs the Clinic for Interactive Media Disorders at Boston Children’s Hospital. Sanjay talks with Dr. Rich about his unique approach to treating young patients with problematic media use. Also, we hear the story of one college student who got lost down a TikTok rabbit hole.  To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Technology has advanced at breakneck speed over the past decade. And that’s disrupted our lives — the ways we interact with each other, work, learn, and even grow up. This season looks at the impact all this technology is having on young people. Like many parents, this topic is personal for Dr. Sanjay Gupta. In our first episode, Sanjay speaks with one of the people most directly impacted by it all: his daughter Soleil. Plus, a conversation with Jean Twenge, Professor of Psychology at San Diego State University, about how social media is affecting youth mental health. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you’re reading this, you’re probably looking at a phone or a computer screen. These days we spend most of our lives looking at screens – whether it’s for work, school, or fun – but how is it shaping us? On season six of Chasing Life, Dr. Sanjay Gupta takes us on his most personal journey yet, while he dives into the science behind how technology is impacting our brains. As a dad of three teenage girls, he explores how worried we should be about the effect screen time is having on kids’ health. Join us each Tuesday as we bring everyone to the table – from members of the Gupta family to content creators and medical professionals – and look for guidance on how to navigate a world surrounded by screens. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Remember how awkward and confused you felt as a teen? It's a time of so many big changes – growth spurts, body hair, and acne, just to name a few – but perhaps the most radical transformation is going on inside the adolescent brain. Dr. Sanjay Gupta dives into the neuroscience of the teen brain with psychologist Valerie Reyna to figure out how teens make decisions and weigh risks. Plus, tips for teens (and anyone who’s been a teen) on how we can support one another through this challenging stage of life. This episode was originally released on February 15, 2022. 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 travels to Cuba to investigate one of the most complex and controversial brain mysteries in recent years known as "Havana Syndrome." First reported by two dozen U.S. officials in Havana, Cuba starting in 2016, these unexplained health incidents have since multiplied to include hundreds of reports of concussion-like injuries around the globe. Despite various government investigations, American officials have yet to make clear what is behind these injuries and whether a directed energy weapon may be to blame. Dr. Gupta sets out to explain the truth behind "Havana Syndrome," the extent of its impact on the brain, and the potential continuing threat facing government officials at home and abroad. This special report originally aired on CNN on September 25, 2022.   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 travels to Cuba to investigate one of the most complex and controversial brain mysteries in recent years known as "Havana Syndrome." First reported by two dozen U.S. officials in Havana, Cuba starting in 2016, these unexplained health incidents have since multiplied to include hundreds of reports of concussion-like injuries around the globe. Despite various government investigations, American officials have yet to make clear what is behind these injuries and whether a directed energy weapon may be to blame. Dr. Gupta sets out to explain the truth behind "Havana Syndrome," the extent of its impact on the brain, and the potential continuing threat facing government officials at home and abroad. This special report originally aired on CNN on September 25, 2022.    To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When psychedelics were first studied more than 50 years ago, researchers noticed that they were useful in helping people explore a greater sense of self. Now, after a half-century hiatus, scientists are studying psychedelics like MDMA, psilocybin, and ketamine as treatment for depression, PTSD, anxiety, and other mental health conditions. So, what promise do they hold as therapeutics? Albert Garcia-Romeu, a researcher at John’s Hopkins University, joins Dr. Sanjay Gupta to talk about how psychedelics can alleviate mental suffering and what the path forward might look like. This episode originally aired on November 8, 2022. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For the past couple of months, we’ve explored the senses and how each one affects our health and well-being. In our last episode of this season, we examine a trait known as synesthesia – in which the senses intertwine, like seeing colors when you hear music or tasting flavor when you feel texture. Neurologist and author, Dr. Richard Cytowic, joins Dr. Sanjay Gupta to explain what happens in the brain when the senses blend. We’ll also hear from musical artist, Christen Lien, about what it’s like to live and perform with synesthesia.  To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Close your eyes and just listen. Even if you aren’t actively thinking about the noises happening around you, your brain is constantly processing sound. That’s because, unlike your eyes, your ears never close. In fact, Northwestern neurobiology professor Nina Kraus, says listening is one of the hardest tasks we ask our brains to do. On today’s episode, Kraus explains how the sounds we’re surrounded by everyday – like a noisy leaf blower or the soothing sound of music – really matter and can impact our physical and mental health. Plus, she shares tips for building a healthy “sonic world.”  To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do you ever walk past someone who smells absolutely alluring? Maybe you even do a double take? Scent is a major component of our attraction to those around us, but how much does it actually impact our romantic decisions? Pheromones have long been documented in the animal kingdom, but what about in humans? On this episode, professor Tristram Wyatt joins Dr. Sanjay Gupta for a deep dive into the world of pheromones, how they work and the search for the mysterious human sex pheromone. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We all know sleep is vital, so why do many of us still find it so difficult to prioritize? CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta speaks with sleep scientist Rebecca Robbins about why we sleep in the first place and how to ensure we get a good night’s rest. And neurologist Ying-Hui Fu explores the latest research surrounding sleep, including what regulates the amount of sleep we actually need and what role genetics might play. We also meet Cliff Luther, a man who only needs about four hours of sleep a night yet wakes just as well rested as the rest of us. What’s his secret? This episode originally aired in June 2021. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Can you picture your favorite comfort food? Whether it’s a steaming bowl of your grandmother’s homemade soup or a chewy chocolate candy bar from your childhood, food evokes all sorts of emotions. But the way we experience food also depends on lots of different factors like smell, sound, texture, color and memory. On today’s episode, University of Kentucky Professor Dan Han, teaches us about a new and emerging field called neurogastronomy, and how this science could help us train our brains to gravitate toward healthier and more sustainable food. Also, we’ll head into the kitchen with a behind-the-scenes lesson on how to apply neurogastronomy to your Thanksgiving table with Atlanta chef Taria Camerino.  To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When psychedelics were first studied more than 50 years ago, researchers noticed that they were useful in helping people explore a greater sense of self. Now, after a half-century hiatus, scientists are studying psychedelics like MDMA, psilocybin, and ketamine as treatment for depression, PTSD, anxiety, and other mental health conditions. So, what promise do they hold as therapeutics? Albert Garcia-Romeu, a researcher at John’s Hopkins University, joins Dr. Sanjay Gupta to talk about how psychedelics can alleviate mental suffering and what the path forward might look like. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices