Health Stuff

Kidney stones are common, painful, and often preventable. Hari and Dr. Priyanka break down what causes them, why they hurt so much, and how hydration, diet, salt, and calcium can affect your risk. Plus, they cover what you can do at home, when a kidney stone is a medical emergency, and bust common myths about lemon juice, cranberry juice, chugging water, and beer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Priyanka and Hari explore what it means to feel emotions more intensely with psychiatrist and ADHD expert Dr. Sasha Hamdani, author of Too Sensitive: Rejection, Resilience, and the Science of Feeling Deeply. They unpack rejection sensitivity, ADHD, and the science behind emotional sensitivity, from unanswered texts and relationship conflict to the ways trauma, hormones, and cultural expectations can shape how we experience emotions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why does acid reflux happen, and when is it more than just heartburn? Dr. Priyanka and Hari break down acid reflux and GERD, from the surprising symptoms you might not recognize as reflux to the lifestyle changes and treatments that can actually help. Plus, they tackle common myths and explain when heartburn could be a sign of something more serious.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ketamine has a complicated reputation. It’s been a horse tranquilizer, a party drug, linked to celebrity headlines, and is now being explored as a breakthrough treatment for depression, PTSD, and trauma. So what is it really?Dr. Priyanka and Hari trace ketamine’s history from operating rooms to mental health clinics, explain how it works differently from traditional antidepressants, and unpack why it can help some people with treatment-resistant depression. They also discuss the principles of ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP), the lessons from Matthew Perry’s death, and why proper medical oversight matters. Along the way, Dr. Wali shares powerful stories from her own clinical experience.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hernias are one of the most common reasons people need surgery, but there are plenty of misconceptions about what causes them and when they’re actually dangerous. This week, Hari and Dr. Priyanka explain why hernias happen, the different types to know about, the symptoms that shouldn’t be ignored, and when it’s safe to monitor one versus when it’s time to head to the emergency room.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

HPV is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections in the world, yet many people know surprisingly little about it. This week, Hari and Dr. Priyanka break down how HPV spreads, why most sexually active adults will encounter it at some point, and the differences between low-risk and high-risk strains. They discuss the link between HPV and cervical, throat, and other cancers, the importance of screening and vaccination, and why reducing stigma around sexual health leads to better outcomes for everyone.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Herpes is one of the most common viruses in the world, but it’s also one of the most misunderstood. This week, Hari and Dr. Priyanka break down the differences between HSV-1 and HSV-2, how herpes spreads, why many people never know they have it, and what outbreaks actually look like. They explore treatment options, common myths about testing and transmission, and why honest conversations and reducing stigma are essential for protecting both individual and public health.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Earwax might seem gross, but it’s actually one of your body’s built-in defense systems. This week, Hari and Dr. Priyanka dive into the sticky science of cerumen: why your ears make it, why Q-tips feel so good, and why doctors desperately want you to stop using them. From impacted wax and hearing loss to ear candling and the surprising genetics behind body odor, this episode explores the strange world living inside your ears.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Priyanka and Hari explore the healing power of music with DJ Hesta Prynn, a DJ and therapist blending neuroscience, psychology, and music. From earworms and breakup songs to rave culture, lullabies, and ketamine-assisted therapy, they unpack why certain songs hit so deeply, how music shapes emotion and memory, and whether the songs we obsess over might be telling us something about ourselves.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Priyanka shares her personal journey becoming a mother, from joyful anticipation to a birth experience that unfolded in unexpected and intense ways. She and Hari explore childbirth in modern hospital systems, from induction methods and labor progression to how routine care can escalate into emergency intervention. They discuss postpartum hemorrhage, NICU admission, and the emotional impact of early parent-newborn separation. The also discuss rising C-section rates, racial disparities in maternal care, inconsistent hospital practices, and how financial and legal pressures shape decision-making.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Measles was once declared eliminated in the U.S. So why is it back and spreading fast?Priyanka and Hari break down one of the most contagious viruses humans have ever faced, what actually happens in your body when you get infected, and why outbreaks are rising again today. They walk through the history of measles, how vaccines work, and the real risks versus the perceived ones. Along the way, they tackle common questions, misinformation, and the science behind the MMR vaccine so you can make informed decisions for yourself and your family.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Becoming a parent is a biological, psychological, and social transformation. Priyanka and Hari talk with science journalist Lucy Jones, author of Matrescence: On the Metamorphosis of Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Motherhood, about the concept of matrescence and why the transition into motherhood can feel so destabilizing, emotional, and overwhelming, even for people who deeply want children. From dramatic hormonal shifts to structural changes in the brain, science shows that becoming a parent reshapes us in profound ways. The conversation also explores how modern society has made raising children more isolating than ever and what we can do to better support our communities. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.