Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine

Sawbones: Kratom 02.06.2026 41min

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/

Sawbones: Hantavirus, Part 2 19.05.2026 34min

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/

Sawbones: Hantavirus 12.05.2026 43min

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/

Sawbones: Can Black Widow Venom Cure Diabetes? 05.05.2026 42min

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/

Sawbones: Milk, Part 2 - Government Cheese 28.04.2026 50min

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/

Sawbones: Milk, Part 1 - Lactose Intolerance 21.04.2026 41min

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/

Sawbones: Vitamin K 07.04.2026 36min

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/

Sawbones: Ranking TV Medical Shows 31.03.2026 47min

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

Sawbones: Medicine in Movies 24.03.2026 38min

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

Sawbones: Second Update: Havana Syndrome 17.03.2026 1godz 2min

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

Sawbones: Measles 2026 03.03.2026 43min

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

Sawbones: Would a Healing Vape be More Efficient Than a Healing Potion? 24.02.2026 42min

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

Sawbones: Carpal Tunnel 17.02.2026 38min

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/

Sawbones: Sauna 10.02.2026 39min

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://www.ilcm.org/donate/

Sawbones: Tear Gas 03.02.2026 34min

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/

Sawbones: Mushroom Coffee 27.01.2026 37min

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/

Sawbones: Colonoscopy Preparation 13.01.2026 44min

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/

Sawbones: Colonoscopy 06.01.2026 34min

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/

Sawbones Classic: Nose Blowing 23.12.2025 39min

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://harmonyhousewv.com/

Sawbones: Hepatitis B 16.12.2025 37min

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/