Chasing Life

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...

Can Science and God Coexist?

20 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Faith and science may often seem at odds with one another, but renowned geneticist and former NIH director, Dr. Francis Collins, says that he sees sci...

Your Shame-Free Guide to Cutting Back on Booze

13 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Holiday party season is upon us. But before you reach for that second cocktail (or third), let’s take a look at the science behind what alcohol act...

Can We Protect Ourselves from Microplastics?

06 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Microplastics are everywhere — from the ocean to our bloodstream — raising urgent questions about their impact on human health. How concerned shou...

Debunking Conspiracies This Thanksgiving? Let AI Help.

29 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Conspiracy theories can take many forms, from misgivings about the first moon landing to false claims that the 2020 election was stolen. These kinds o...

Our Food Keeps Getting Recalled. Here’s What to Do.

22 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 li...

What it’s Like to Take an Alzheimer’s Test

15 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 ge...

Why There’s More Hope for Alzheimer’s

08 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

For the nearly 7 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s, progress on treatments has felt painfully slow and incremental at best…until now. Dr. ...

How to Have Difficult Conversations in a Polarized World

01 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 wis...

The Bittersweet Truth About Sugar

25 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Americans are sugar obsessed. Can we cut back without making life feel less sweet? This Halloween, sugar studies expert Laura Schmidt shares tips for ...

Self-Exams Matter: Why These TV Powerhouses Say Don’t Skip Them

18 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Stressed Parents? Dr. Becky Wants to Help.

11 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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....

The Secret Lives of Neurosurgeons

04 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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...

A New Era for Cannabis and What It Could Mean for You

27 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The U.S. government recently proposed rescheduling cannabis from a Schedule I to a Schedule III drug — basically signaling it has some accepted medi...

Superbugs Could Kill Millions. Here’s How We Stop Them.

20 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Antibiotics have been hailed as a "miracle drug" since the discovery of penicillin in 1928. But now, more bacteria are developing resistance to antibi...

Can Safety and Excitement Coexist in the NFL?

13 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 whi...

Is There a College Mental Health Crisis?

06 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Anxiety and depression are surging on college campuses, according to research from the University of Michigan. Two in five teens say they feel persist...

The Wild West of Ketamine Treatment

27 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 mor...

‘A Silent Killer’: Extreme Heat and Your Health

20 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 de...

What You Need to Know About Sunscreen

13 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We've all heard about the importance of wearing sunscreen, but recent headlines have raised questions about the safety and effectiveness of certain in...

Living Your Happiest Life

06 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Mind of a Medalist

30 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 sp...

Does Money Buy Happiness?

23 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We’ve all heard the phrase, “money doesn’t buy happiness.” But, Elizabeth Dunn, a professor in the Department of Psychology at the University ...

The Habits of Happy People

16 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 soci...

Want to be Happier? Confidence Can Help

09 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Trying new things. Setting Goals. Rebounding from setbacks.  All of these tasks have at least one thing in common – they require confidence. And ac...

Your Trauma May Be Making You Sick

02 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 experienc...

How Exercise Can Make Us Happier

25 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 a...

A Conversation with Dr. Anthony Fauci

18 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Anthony Fauci became a household name during the COVID-19 pandemic as director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. But t...

Are We Prepared for Bird Flu?

11 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 do...

Should Everyone Consider Therapy to Be Happier?

04 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 everyon...

Can Anxiety Be A Good Thing?

28 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Is There A Science To Happiness?

21 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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...

The Benefits of Gratitude

14 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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...

How Worried Should You Be About Ultraprocessed Foods?

07 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 Ch...

What You Need to Know About Bird Flu

30 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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...

What Camels Teach Us About the Future

23 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Global temperatures are rising, severe storms are intensifying and people are feeling climate anxiety. Does saving the planet mean living without comf...

The Joy of Food

16 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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?...

Body Neutrality with Jameela Jamil

09 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Do Diets Really Work?

02 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Do These Quick Weight Loss Hacks Work?

26 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 e...

Lindy West on what we’re getting wrong about weight

19 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 bec...

Is Obesity Really a Disease?

12 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 t...

The Truth About Menopause and Weight Gain

05 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 co...

Paging Dr. Gupta: What You Need to Know about the Alabama IVF Ruling

27 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Alabama’s Supreme Court has ruled that embryos are children and anyone discarding frozen embryos could face wrongful death charges. So where does th...

What You Need to know about Kids and High Body Weight

20 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 disord...

WeightWatchers CEO Explains Why ‘We Got It Wrong’

13 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

The Big Business Behind Weight Loss Drugs

06 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It’s become a multibillion-dollar business: weight loss drugs. Demand is high, as is the cost. How did medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro an...

Is Ozempic Really A Miracle Drug?

30 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

New drugs like Wegovy, Ozempic and Mounjaro are billed as a revolutionary new approach for losing weight. But are these actually miracle drugs? Dr. Sa...

Why Our Bodies Fight Us on Losing Weight

23 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 hu...

What Weight Tells Us about Our Health

16 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 d...

Chasing Life presents All There Is With Anderson Cooper

26 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Making Resolutions with Chasing Life

19 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Answering Your Burning Questions About The Brain

12 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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, D...

The Forgiving Brain

05 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 happe...

Is There Such a Thing as the Organized Brain?

28 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 tha...

The Dating Brain in the Digital Age

21 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 algorit...

Treating the Depressed Brain

14 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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...

The Long Journey to Treat the Long Covid Brain

07 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

More than three years after the outset of the Covid-19 pandemic, many long Covid patients are still experiencing brain fog, extreme fatigue, and myria...

Stephen King on Fiction and the Frightened Brain

31 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 reade...

The Recipe for a Nourished Brain

24 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 eati...

Paging Dr. Gupta: How to Cope with The Current News Cycle

17 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 psychiatr...

Kids, Sports & the Concussed Brain

10 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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...

The Good, the Bad and the Unknown of the Menopausal Brain

03 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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, ...

Michael Pollan Spills the Beans on the Caffeinated Brain

26 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 give...

The Rested Brain

19 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

The Distracted Brain

12 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 fee...

Chasing Life with the Gupta Family

05 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 r...

Sanjay Investigates “Weed 7: A Senior Moment" Pt. 2

29 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 C...

Sanjay Investigates “Weed 7: A Senior Moment” Pt. 1

22 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 ex...

Lessons in Longevity

15 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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, ...

The Promise of Cannabis as We Age

08 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

 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 med...

Biohacking...or BS?

01 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Caloric restriction. Blood transfusions. Hormetic stress. Off-label meds. As CNN’s Chief Medical Correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta is often asked abou...

Justine Bateman on Why She Won’t Try To Look Younger

25 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 epis...

The Myth of the Midlife Crisis

18 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

For years, people have been faced with the possibility of suffering a ‘midlife crisis’ when they near age 40. But is the concept scientifically so...