Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine

We've probably all gotten a blister at some point, whether from walking too much or from shredding a guitar solo. Dr. Sydnee and Justin talk about what actually causes a blister, how they are treated, and, most importantly, when is a good situation in which to pop them?

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Lambda Legal: https://lambdalegal.org/

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Dr. Sydnee is joined this week by Charlie and Cooper, who are starring in a production of Matilda, and therefore experts in . . . telekinetic government experiments. The three McElroys talk about the unsuccessful history of trying to prove – or create – people moving objects with their minds, including Uri Geller and the CIA.

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Lamda Legal: https://lambdalegal.org/

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Maybe you've heard of kratom, a substance being sold as a 'natural' energy substance. With its alarmingly growing popularity, Dr. Sydnee and Justin look into what exactly it is, what it really does, and whether you should take it. (Spoiler: you should not).

Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/

Lamda Legal: https://lambdalegal.org/

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The recent outbreak of human-communicable Hantavirus on a cruise ship continues to change rapidly and the U.S. continues to lag behind other nations in its response. This week on Sawbones, an update on the situation and some thoughts about the future of disease management in a country that seems uninterested in doing so.

Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/

First Nations Development Institute: https://www.firstnations.org/

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In what may be our most requested episode of all time, Dr. Sydnee addresses the hantavirus outbreak in the headlines, looks at its history and evaluates just how badly the U.S. is handling the situation.

Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/

First Nations Development Institute: https://www.firstnations.org/

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After all the listener support, it’s only fair we give back! “We” meaning Dr. Sydnee is giving back to the listeners by answering their medical questions! Can hanging upside-down cause lasting damage? Are hangnails random or is it part of my life choices? Why did the black plague end? Does flexing my calves strengthen my bladder? And how many living cells are in poop?

Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/

Marsha P. Johnson Institute: https://marshap.org/

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Are you ready to lose your mind about dairy and look at your charcuterie board differently? Justin tells Dr. Sydnee all about the inflated demand for milk, how good for you dairy actually is, and how the United States came to have a giant bunker of cheese in Missouri

Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/

Marsha P. Johnson Institute: https://marshap.org/

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Why do some people have stomachaches when they drink or eat dairy products? Dr. Syndee and Justin talk about lactose and lactase to explain that it's really those who can drink milk who are the outliers and answer the very important question: is school milk racist?

Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/

Marsha P. Johnson Institute: https://marshap.org/

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No, not the musical artist who sang the graduation song (that's Vitamin C). Vitamin K has been in the news a little bit lately because it's often given as a shot to newborns. Dr. Sydnee talks about the history of its discovery, what it is for, why it's important, and why in the world it's called Vitamin K.

Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/

Marsha P. Johnson Institute: https://marshap.org/

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In celebration of Dr. Sydnee’s birthday, Justin brings a whole swath of medical show on TV since the year of her birth. From Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman to Nip/Tuck to The Pitt, Dr. Sydnee ranks shows for their accuracy and entertainment value until she’s finisher her bathtub birthday Prosecco. There is no democracy here, Dr. Sydnee’s opinion is the law.

Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/

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Miracle drugs, strange side effects, classical conditioning: there are many films where the plot hinges around the existence of some unrealistic medicine. Justin brings to the plate the pills and medical devices in Dune, Robocop, Scanners, and more, while Dr. Sydnee ascertains how close they are to reality – or not.

Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/

Border Angels: https://www.borderangels.org/our-services.html

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Our first ever double-update, Justin and Dr. Sydnee bring an update to an update about the very mysterious Havana Syndrome. Not only is there kind of a reversal of the last update, but the cause actually COULD be a giant microwave? So enjoy the full episode explaining the history of Havana Syndrome, the old update from 2022, and what we learned very recently.

Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/

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It's been a decade since Sawbones last talked about measles, and we don't often check in with an update unless . . . well, something comes up in the news. Dr. Sydnee talks about how the vaccine for measles was developed, the unfortunate backlash that has been going on against it since 2008, and what we can do for the future.

Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/

Border Angels: https://www.borderangels.org/our-services.html

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The snow’s piling up outside so we’re cozying down with another batch of listener medical questions! Can I take all my antibiotics at once? If my twin has an allergy, do I have it too? Are prenatal vitamins good for people who do not want to get pregnant? And can air literally get knocked out of your lungs?

Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/

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Carpal tunnel sydrome, or an irritation of the median nerve, is often thought of as a more "modern" ailment, exacerbated by 8-hour days at a computer and video game hobbies. Dr. Sydnee talks about the history of the first diagnosis of this syndrome, and Justin talks about his recent surgery experience, as well as the causes and possible prevention.

Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/

Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota: https://www.ilcm.org/donate/

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Even though it's associated with Nordic countries, the Sauna has been around in many different cultures for as long as people have been trying to get warm in a hot box. But how about health benefits? Dr. Sydnee talks about the history of saunas and spirituality, as well as the association between sweat and the perception of health – and that even though actual studies don't say anything definite, sometimes it is just nice to get in a warm, steamy room.

Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/

Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota: https://ww...

Right now in the news you may be hearing about the use of tear gas against protesters. But what exactly IS tear gas and where did it come from? Dr. Sydnee and Justin talk about the origins of this chemical agent, what it is meant to do, and what one should do if they come into contact with it.

Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/

Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota: https://www.ilcm.org/donate/

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Another wellness trend that feels newer than it actually is, people have been looking for a coffee substitute since coffee was discovered (see: episode about coffee). Dr. Sydnee talks about the additional claims made around these fungi, as well as what possible benefits they could have – and possible dangers.

Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/

Immigrant Defenders Law Center: https://www.immdef.org/

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Back from his first colonoscopy, Justin outlines the extremely detailed steps he took in order to prepare for the screening: the before, the after, and whether it's easier to take four liters of laxative or navigate the United States healthcare system.

Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/

Immigrant Defenders Law Center: https://www.immdef.org/

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In honor of Justin's first colonoscopy, Dr. Sydnee goes through the history of looking inside the colon. From Pompei to the Light Conductor to the more flexible tubes today, humans have always been curious to see just what's going on up there.

Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/

Immigrant Defenders Law Center: https://www.immdef.org/

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This cold and flu season, we're bringing you a classic episode on clearing your nasal passage correctly.

Blowing your nose is maybe the only small glint of satisfaction had while having a cold or sinus infection. But is blowing your nose actually good, or even safe? Dr. Sydnee and Justin look through the history of handkerchiefs and nose-wiping to the science of what happens to your sinuses when you blow your nose in order to try and find a happy medium.

Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/

Harmony House: https...

A trip to get an updated tetanus shot led to the realization that Justin never got a Hepatitis B vaccine. So Dr. Sydnee explains what exactly is Hep B, the recent headlines surrounding the vaccine, why do people usually get this vaccine as babies – and why didn’t Justin get it?

Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/

Harmony House: https://harmonyhousewv.com/

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A pre-Christmas warning, we're re-releasing our 2015 live show outlining all the ways that you need to watch out this Christmas – and not just from Santa's wrath.

This week on Sawbones, Live from Huntington, WV and Candlenights 2015: CHRISTMAS IS TRYING TO KILL YOU. Grandma. Egg nog. Trees. Mistletoe. The Grinch. RUN.

Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/

Harmony House: https://harmonyhousewv.com/

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It's the most wonderful time of the year – Candlenights! Dr. Sydnee and Justin talk about the plans for the upcoming Candlenights special, as well as the story of Harmony House and some of the myths and facts behind homelessness in West Virginia and the United States.

Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/

Harmony House: https://harmonyhousewv.com/

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Cozy up by the fireplace with some weird listener medical questions. What's the difference between a disease and a disorder? Where does the extra blood during pregnancy come from? Did getting my gallbladder removed change my taste buds?  Plus an update on the CDC website's recent posting about vaccines.

Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/

Native American Aid: https://nativepartnership.org/naa/

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The algorithm strikes again, this time telling Justin about a popular wellness trend known as a Dopamine Detox. Dopamine is often associated with pleasure centers and addiction, and certain corners of the internet think we are overflooded with it. But Dr. Sydnee talks about what dopamine is, its connection to Parkinson's and other medical conditions, and how this culture around self-deprivation came about.

Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/

Native American Aid: https://nativepartnership.org/naa/

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Sometimes we like to have fun on Sawbones, like diving into a recently reported story of a truck full research animals who escaped and were infectious to humans. But what actually happened, were these monkeys infected, and what is the purpose of monkeys being infected in the name of science in the first place?

Sawbones audience feedback survey: https://forms.gle/kLXiFU8iRzAazPyn9

Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/

Native American Aid: https://nativepartnership.org/naa/

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Often pseudo-scientific medicine is brought to Dr. Sydnee by friends and family. But this time, she encountered methylene blue in the wild! Methylene blue is currently being touted as a cancer treatment, which is . . . not based on evidence. But Dr. Sydnee talks about the history of this colorful substance and what it can be actually used for.

Sawbones audience feedback survey: https://forms.gle/kLXiFU8iRzAazPyn9

Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/

Border Angels: https://www.borderangels.org/

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As the weather turns, so do Dr. Sydnee and Justin to their inbox to answer more of listeners' WEIRD medical questions. Questions like: Can pee cure my foot fungus? Why do I cough when I put in earplugs? What is the white crescent on my nails? How does the vaccine nasal spray work? And what is the humble leech’s role in modern medicine?

Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/

Border Angels: https://www.borderangels.org/

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Justin and Dr. Sydnee continue to bring news from the forefront of history with the second part of the announcement about autism – a possible treatment. It's leucovorin: also known as vitamin B-9. It can't possibly be that simple, can it? (No). Dr. Sydnee explains where this idea came from and what leucovorin is actually currently used for in medicine.

Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/

Border Angels: https://www.borderangels.org/

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You may have heard the recent announcement From the US government linking acetaminophen use during pregnancy and autism. Well, at the risk of spoiling the episode, it’s nothing. This week, Dr. Sydnee and Justin talk about the history of acetaminophen and where the claim even came from.

Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/

Border Angels: https://www.borderangels.org/

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Another episode in the Sawbones multiverse, Dr. Sydnee and Justin resist Dr. Richard Asher, who is the person who coined Munchausen Syndrome. Dr. Aster was a prominent physician and critical thinker whose medical contributions included noting the dangers of bed rest and naming the "seven sins of medicine." His children also had notable music careers.

Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/

Equality Florida: https://www.eqfl.org/

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With all the changes going on in the CDC, Dr. Sydnee and Justin check back in with an update on vaccines and vaccine mandates, as well as dispelling some common vaccine myths that unfortunately come up again and again.

Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/

Equality Florida: https://www.eqfl.org/

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There are many eponymous disorders and diseases, but Munchausen is an interesting case of a disease named after a character who is based on a real person. Dr. Sydnee and Justin talk about Hieronymus Karl Friedrich von Münchhausen and how his fantastic stories became stuck to his name forever.

Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/

World Central Kitchen: https://wck.org/

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Before the hysteria of Swifties and Beatlemania, people were getting hype over the handsome pianist Franz Liszt.  Dr. Sydnee and Justin talk about what exactly about this artist made regular fandom escalate into a mania and what this medical condition actually meant.

Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/

World Central Kitchen: https://wck.org/

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Before everyone hits the back-to-school grind, we’ve got a fun episode about Freddy Pharkas. A historical figure of frontier medicine? No, a video game character from 1993. Justin and Dr. Sydnee talk about how a farmer-cist was made, as well as the real and fake medicine Freddy doled out on the frontier.

Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/

World Central Kitchen: https://wck.org/

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We're bringing the heat with listeners' weird medical questions! Are the hot parts of the body the only Sweaty parts? Is spicy food spicier some days more than others? Is there any benefits to extra things in glasses lenses? And if your stomach can expand, why not your bladder?

Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/

Immigrant Defenders Law Center: https://www.immdef.org/

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A dovetail from last week’s episode, Dr. Sydnee and Justin talk about the official pain scale of insect stings, all compiled by Justin O. Schmidt. So who was this Justin, how did his research contribute to science, and did he really get stung by all these insects to make a non-objective scale? (Answer: yes).

Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/

Immigrant Defenders Law Center: https://www.immdef.org/

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After an unfortunate and painful encounter with an angry flying insect, Dr. Sydnee and Justin talk about wasps: how their stings work, and a journey into the science behind some folk remedies.

Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/

Immigrant Defenders Law Center: https://www.immdef.org/

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It used to be that if you needed to get to the hospital quickly, you would call the herse – because it had the space to transport a person who was lying down. Well, all of that changed in Columbus, OH, with the Heartmobile, known as the first ambulance. Dr. Sydnee and Justin talk about its development, implementation, and the thrilling end of its ambulatory adventures.

Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/

Transgender Law Center: https://transgenderlawcenter.org/

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