Chasing Life
Episodes
The Year in News: Deepfakes, MAHA & AI
26 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
After a head-spinning year in the worlds of health and technology, Audie Cornish of The Assignment sat down with Dr. Sanjay Gupta and Clare Duffy from...
Sanjay’s Top 10 Health Stories of 2025
23 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
From the resurgence of measles to a new way to treat pain, 2025 was a challenge for public health while still offering moments of hope. Sanjay recaps...
How Storytelling Shapes the Way You Remember the Holidays
19 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The holidays are full of stories, laughter, and maybe a little disagreement. Ever try telling a story and hear someone say, “That’s not what ha...
Should We Be Drinking Cow’s Milk?
16 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
“Drink your milk,” we are told as children. CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta examines our practice of continuing to drinking ...
Why Haven't We Cured the Common Cold?
12 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The average person gets two to four colds a year. With all the missed school and work, that adds up to an economic impact of about $40 billion, accord...
Why Everyone’s Talking About Mouth Taping
09 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
There’s a new sleep trend making waves: taping your mouth shut at night. Advocates say it can help you breathe better, sleep deeper, and even wake u...
A New Understanding of Parkinson’s Disease
05 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Parkinson’s disease, a progressive movement disorder whose hallmark is damage to the dopamine-producing neurons in the brain, afflicts almost 12 mil...
Can Collagen Supplements Make Me Look Younger?
02 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Sanjay Gupta explains the science behind collagen supplements and what you should keep in mind if you’re considering them. Plus, how Transcrania...
How to Identify Medical Misinformation & Fake AI Ads
28 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As a practicing neurosurgeon and CNN’s chief medical correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta can spot false health claims from a mile away. Still, he recent...
How to Safely Store Your Leftovers
25 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We all have our cooking rituals, but are some of them unsafe? Dr. Sanjay Gupta gets to the bottom of handwashing hygiene, especially when handling raw...
What If Comfort Food Could Help You Live to 100?
21 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Could the secret to living longer be as simple as what’s for dinner? Sanjay sits down with explorer and bestselling author Dan Buettner to discuss t...
What You Need to Know About Hormone Therapy
18 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The FDA is planning to remove the “black box” warning from many hormone treatments for menopause -- a major shift that could change care...
Anchoring Autism: How a Father’s Devotion Helped His Son Adapt to the World
14 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In the 1980s, Leland Vittert’s parents were told that nothing could be done about their son’s autism. But that didn’t stop them from tryin...
Do Bluetooth Headphones Cause Cancer?
11 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It seems like everyone’s wearing Bluetooth headphones these days. But should you be worried about the risk of cancer from this technology? D...
Can Your Smart Watch Actually Help You Live Longer?
07 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We've come a long way in integrating technology into our daily lives, but could wearable tech actually help you live longer? From detecting heartbe...
Do Imported Organic Foods Live Up to their Labels?
04 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Americans are buying more organic food than ever, whether it’s apples from Washington or avocados from Mexico. But when that label says “organic...
Living with Incurable Cancer
31 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Author Jonathan Gluck says most cancer stories take one of two forms: “He or she fought valiantly and died, or he or she fought valiantly and ...
Why Seeing Blood Makes People Faint
28 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Why do some people faint at the sight of blood, while others barely flinch? Dr. Sanjay Gupta explains the surprising science behind blood phobia. Plus...
Why Teens Just Can't Quit Nicotine
24 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A few years ago, vaping was at the top of every parent’s list of worries — including Sanjay’s. But in just a few short years, the landscape has ...
What You Need to Know for Open Enrollment
21 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It’s that time of year again when many Americans have to choose a health insurance plan — a decision that will affect, and possibly haunt them thr...
Why It Costs So Much to Get Sick
17 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Since the 1990s, healthcare has been at the heart of America’s political debate and it’s still being contested today. Why is our health sy...
Are the Plastic Straws in Water Bottles Safe?
14 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Are the straws from our reusable water bottles leaching microplastics or toxic chemicals? We sip to the bottom of that question on this week’s Pagin...
Why Are So Many Young People Getting Cancer?
10 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Cancer used to be something you worried about later in life — but not anymore. More and more young adults are being diagnosed, and doctors are tryi...
Can Tiger Balm Help With Aches and Pains?
07 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Does tiger balm, that intense-smelling ointment that we rub into our muscles to relieve aches and pains, actually do anything? We get to the bottom of...
Beyond the Headlines of MAHA With the FDA
03 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Sanjay Gupta sits down with Dr. Marty Makary, U.S. FDA Commissioner to dig beyond the headlines of this Administration’s latest efforts to “Ma...
What the Science Says About Tylenol and Autism
30 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
President Trump has linked the use of acetaminophen — brand name: Tylenol — during pregnancy to autism in children. In this episode of Paging Dr G...
How To Use Technology and Not Lose Our Minds
26 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Is delegating tasks and even thinking to digital devices making us lose our minds, or at least some brain function? Dr. Sanjay Gupta and neuroscientis...
Kissing Bug Disease Is Spreading; How To Stay Safe
23 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The kissing bug disease — aka: Chagas disease — is slowly becoming endemic in certain parts of the United States. Dr. Sanjay Gupta explains what y...
Why You Should Care About Public Health
19 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Public health is, in the words of this week’s guest, “the organized actions of society to make people safer and healthier.” Unfortunately, to so...
The Dirty Truth About Showering and Handwashing
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Diffusers, with their different scents, are meant to create a mood and relax you. But is it healthy to breathe in mist enhanced by essential oils? Dr ...
What Ultra-Marathoner Rich Roll Learned From His Chronic Pain
12 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
You may feel pain in the body, but it really begins in the brain. To explain, Dr. Sanjay Gupta sits down at 92nd Street Y in New York to talk about hi...
Can You Eat or Meditate Your Way to Less Pain?
09 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
An estimated 51 million Americans live with chronic pain. But our understanding of pain has evolved and so has the ways we can treat and reduce pain. ...
Can AI Hear Cancer in Your Voice?
05 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Voices are powerful. They can signal that we’re feeling sick, show our age, and reveal our secrets. One day, with the help of artificial intelligenc...
Is Your Immune System Ready for Fall? Here’s How to Support It
02 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Can years teaching in a classroom make you less likely to get sick? Dr. Sanjay Gupta answers a listener’s question about immunity and shares smart s...
The Lessons of Katrina: Coping With the Next Crisis
29 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
1,800 lives lost and hundreds of thousands displaced. But the storm left behind more than physical damage. It exposed the lasting psychological toll d...
The Belly Fat You Actually Need to Worry About
26 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Not all belly fat is created equal. Dr. Sanjay Gupta explains what makes some belly fat “toxic,” how to know if you have it, and what you can do t...
Exploring the Brain with 10-Year-Old ‘Sean the Science Kid’
22 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
At 10 years old, brainiac 'Sean the Science Kid' Atitsogbe already has plenty in common with Dr. Sanjay Gupta: He loves to learn and explain science t...
The New Healthy Blood Pressure Rules
19 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Nearly half of Americans have high blood pressure — and the guidelines for managing it just changed. Dr. Sanjay Gupta explains the new rules, includ...
Parenting Has Changed. Here’s What You Need To Know
15 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Feeling overwhelmed as a new parent? Sleep-deprived and drowning in advice? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Parenting can have many different appro...
Sanjay: No, That’s Not Me Hawking Cures
12 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
There’s an ad going around on social media claiming Dr. Sanjay Gupta has discovered a natural cure for Alzheimer’s. Spoiler: it’s a deepfake. Sa...
Beyond Smiley Faces: A New Way to Diagnose Pain
08 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
One of the most challenging aspects of treating chronic pain is the fact that there’s no objective way to measure it – no number or test like bloo...
Can You Lower Your Risk for Dementia?
05 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Close to #1 on anyone’s list for healthy aging is avoiding dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. From diabetes to learning a new language, Dr. ...
It's Not Your Metabolism's Fault
01 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Three-quarters of U.S. adults are overweight or obese. But Kevin Hall, a former researcher at the National Institutes of Health and one of the world’...
Here's Why You May Be a Mosquito Magnet
29 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Are you always the one getting eaten alive while everyone else walks away bite-free? Dr. Sanjay Gupta explains why some people attract more mosquitoes...
How to Avoid Mosquito Bites and the Diseases They Carry
25 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Man’s deadliest predator takes more than a million lives each year and is no bigger than your fingernail. To mark mosquito season, history professor...
Is Frozen Produce Healthier Than Fresh?
22 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
You’ve likely stood in the grocery aisle wondering—what’s actually healthier: fresh or frozen produce? And when it comes to salt, should you sti...
Should You ‘Lean Into’ Your Chronic Pain to Relieve It?
18 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Sanjay Gupta sits down with researcher and clinical therapist Dr. Eric Garland to explore how mindfulness meditation can be as effective as opioid...
When to Blame Aging—and When Not To
15 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Is it just part of getting older, or something you shouldn’t ignore? From your balance to the ringing in your ears, Dr. Sanjay Gupta explains what’...
Did you take your vitamins today? Maybe you don’t have to
11 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Navigating supplement offerings, in a store or online, can be overwhelming. There’s a pill or a potion for everything, from losing weight to boost...
Do We All Have a ‘Cancer Gene’?
08 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
After losing both parents to bone cancer, one listener wants to know what that means for their own risk. Dr. Sanjay Gupta breaks it down—then tackle...
How Surgeons Balance Hope with Honesty
04 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Every day, in hospitals across the country, surgeons make countless life-or-death decisions. For those who operate on children, those stakes can feel ...
A Doctor-Approved Guide to the Sun This Summer
01 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Sanjay Gupta is here with your summer sunlight guide — exactly when it’s safe to soak up some unfiltered sun, how to truly protect your eyes, ...
The Man with the Pig Kidney
27 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On January 25th, 2025, Tim Andrews became a medical pioneer: He received a kidney transplant from a pig. Dr. Sanjay Gupta follows the incredible journ...
How Far Are We from Animal Organs Saving Lives?
24 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Xenotransplantation, using animal organs in humans, may sound like science fiction, but it’s quickly becoming a reality. Dr. Sanjay Gupta answers yo...
The Organ Transplant Revolution Starts Here
20 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
At any given moment, more than 100,000 people are waiting for an organ transplant. Every day, 17 of them die waiting. This is a story of survival, bra...
How AI Might Be Helping Your Doctor Treat You
17 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
From early detection to writing your doctor’s notes—Dr. Sanjay Gupta explains how AI is showing up in medicine. And when it comes to pain relief, ...
The Answer to Pain May Lie in Your Brain
13 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
For something that’s a universal experience, pain has been pretty hard to measure, treat and even understand. That’s what Dr. Sanjay Gupta decided...
Does Your “Filtered” Water Still Have Fluoride?
10 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A simple question about your filtered water leads to some surprising truths about fluoride. Then: what to eat to keep your brain sharp—Dr. Sanjay ...
What Your Sweat Could Reveal About Your Health
06 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Every day, thousands of people use fitness trackers and glucose monitors to better understand their health. The next wave of personal health tech migh...
Billy Joel’s Brain Condition, Explained
03 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
When Billy Joel canceled part of his tour because of a brain condition known as normal pressure hydrocephalus, a lot of you had questions. Dr. Sanjay ...
Unlock Your Memory by Memorizing Less
30 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The average American takes in about 34 gigabytes of information each day -- that's a lot for our brains to process and remember. Top memory expert Dr....
Worried About Prostate Cancer? Here’s What to Know.
27 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
One in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, and President Biden’s recent diagnosis has many people asking: Am I at risk? Should I get s...
How to Become a Super Ager
23 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Can you maintain good health into your 80s and beyond? Cardiologist Dr. Eric Topol says yes. He joins Dr. Sanjay Gupta explain why preventing the onse...
Wait…Is Whole Milk Actually Good for You Now?
20 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Whole, skim, oat, almond, pistachio…the milk options seem endless! But which one's actually the healthiest? Dr. Sanjay Gupta breaks it down. Plus, i...
How Pregnancy Reshapes the Brain
16 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What actually happens in the brain during pregnancy? Cognitive neuroscientist Dr. Laura Pritschet joins Dr. Sanjay Gupta to unpack the hormonal shifts...
Lead Poisoning: What We Learned on the Ground in Milwaukee
13 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Sanjay Gupta takes us to Milwaukee, where rising concerns over lead paint in public schools have parents and health officials on high alert. Plus,...
Making Sense of Menopause
09 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Author and physician Dr. Jen Gunter has earned the title ‘the Internet’s Ob/gyn’ for her work demystifying menopause – and de-bunking some of ...
Can You Get Too Many Vaccines?
06 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Proponents of vaccines have contended with waves of skepticism and controversy in recent years, and even if you’re first in line for your booster, t...
How Samantha Bee Is Surviving Menopause
02 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Samantha Bee is tired of the stigma that still surrounds talking about menopause. The Emmy-winning comedian and writer sits down with CNN Medical Corr...
What You Need to Know About Food Dyes
29 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Cereals, frostings, and other snacks in the U.S. are about to get a lot less colorful with the FDA moving to phase out artificial food dyes from the n...
How 'The Pitt' Isn't Just Another ER Drama
25 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Overcrowded waiting rooms. End-of-life decisions. Pandemic fatigue. These are the realities of working in emergency medicine. It’s also one of sever...
Is There a Natural Equivalent to Ozempic?
22 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The blockbuster release of GLP-1 drugs for diabetes management and weight loss have left people with a lot of unanswered questions, including this one...
Go Outside, Doctor's Orders
18 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How does our relationship with nature affect our health, for better and worse? Dr. Sanjay Gupta explores this idea by pulling from personal experience...
Is Fluoride in Our Drinking Water Safe?
15 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The decades-long practice of adding fluoride to drinking water is under fire. On this week’s Paging Dr. Gupta, we're sinking our teeth into the late...
The Power (and Pitfalls) of a High-Protein Diet
11 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Americans are protein obsessed, but should we be? Renowned nutritionist Dr. Tim Spector sits down with Dr. Sanjay Gupta to share why the focus on prot...
Is Organic Food Really Healthier?
08 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If you’ve ever found yourself at a market with questions about organic foods, you're not alone. We'll tackle that subject on today’s Paging Dr. G...
The Secret to Longevity: Keep Moving
04 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We often talk about exercise in the context of cardio or strength training, but there's another pillar of fitness that is especially important as we a...
Why Your Brain Loves an Organized Space
01 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Can the way you organize your space affect your mood? Dr. Sanjay Gupta answers a listener’s question about clutter and mental health. Plus, do blue ...
Why We Need to Embrace Stress
28 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Most of us try to avoid stress at all costs. But Dr. Sharon Bergquist, author of ‘The Stress Paradox,’ says too little stress can be just as bad f...
Which Cooking Oils Should You Be Using?
25 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ever find yourself staring at cooking oils in the store, wondering which ones are actually good for you? Dr. Sanjay Gupta clears up the confusion on w...
Puberty Is Starting Earlier. Should Parents Worry?
21 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Research shows that kids are starting puberty earlier than ever, with the average age now beginning at 8 for girls and 9 for boys. But what does this ...
Five Years Later: What We Know About Long Covid
18 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It’s been five years since Covid-19 was declared a pandemic, but for some, the symptoms are still lingering—just how common is that? Plus, if you’...
Are You Falling for Health Misinformation?
14 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Covid-19 pandemic unleashed a new level of conspiracy theories and medical misinformation that some dubbed an ‘infodemic.’ Science influencer ...
Pneumonia Affects Millions Each Year—Here’s How to Stay Safe
11 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Pneumonia is a serious threat; what can you do to lower your risk? Plus, for all the night owls out there, Dr. Sanjay Gupta answers a listener’s qu...
A Doctor. His Brain Tumor. A New Perspective.
07 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What can a doctor learn from becoming a patient? That’s what Dr. Bobby Mukkamala, a surgeon and president-elect of the American Medical Association,...
How Safe Are Your Food Storage Habits?
04 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever been told to let hot food cool before putting it in the fridge? And what about those "microwave-safe" plastic containers—are they actu...
Measles is Back. How Worried Should We Be?
28 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We haven’t talked much about measles since it was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000. But measles is one of the most contagious viruse...
What People Should Know About Measles
25 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Measles was considered eliminated in the United States in 2000 — so why is it making a comeback? Dr. Sanjay Gupta reports from West Texas where the...
Ultraprocessed Foods: How Bad Could They Be?
21 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We’ve all heard that so-called “ultraprocessed” foods aren’t great for us—but why? It turns out scientists are still trying to figure that o...
A Breakthrough in Pain Management Without Opioids
18 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Big news in pain management, the FDA has approved a new opioid-free pain medication. So how is it different from what’s already out there? Plus, if ...
Relax, Jealousy is Normal
14 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
No, you’re not petty for feeling jealous. Research shows humans experience this emotion even before they can crawl. CNN chief medical correspondent ...
Fasting and Fighting Cruise Ship Viruses: What You Need to Know
11 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Curious about intermittent fasting? Dr. Sanjay Gupta answers a listener’s question by breaking down the science and shares his own experience. Plus,...
How to Hack Your Brain’s Reward System
07 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What if staying motivated wasn’t about willpower, but strategy? ADHD coach Eric Tivers created the Dopamenu, a personalized menu of small, satisfyin...
Want a Healthier Mocktail? Here’s How
04 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
You can find mocktails on just about any menu these days, but can you enjoy the trend without the sugar overload? Dr. Sanjay Gupta answers a listener’...
What If Healing Your Mind Starts in Your Body?
31 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Trauma has become a buzzword in the zeitgeist over the years, but do we really understand what it means and how it impacts the body? Dr. Sanjay Gupta ...
One Doctor's Decision to Stop Showering
24 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. James Hamblin stopped taking regular showers. And no, he didn’t stink. The doctor and journalist joins Dr. Sanjay Gupta to explain why he set ou...
Feeling Bored? That May Actually Motivate You
17 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Boredom – it’s a state many of us try to avoid. But, in a world full of distractions, maybe it’s time to embrace boredom as a way to spark creat...
Letting Go of the Pressure To Be Perfect
10 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It’s the new year, a time when so many of us set out to do more, be better. It can feel overwhelming, and most resolutions end up broken. So what if...
Can Weight Loss Drugs Impact Your Joy of Food?
03 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Yes, drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro can help people lose weight, but at what cost? Dr. Sanjay Gupta explores why these drugs may not be the ...
How Ozempic Transformed the Way We Look at Obesity
27 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro, are being called “miracle drugs” with users boasting about their fast results. Dr. Sanjay Gupta takes a deep dive i...