Chasing Life

Why No One Should Ever Use Air Dryers in Public Bathrooms 02.06.2026 14min

Should you use an air dryer or paper towels to dry your hands after washing them in a public bathroom? Dr. Sanjay Gupta shares his take. Plus, plasma donation is a growing trend across the country. Dr. Gupta digs into the reasons why and if there are any long-term health consequences. This episode was produced by Leying Tang. Medical Writer: Andrea KaneShowrunner: Dan BloomTechnical Director: Dan Dzula Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How to Help Your Parents Cut Down Their Screen Time 29.05.2026 28min

Screen time worries aren’t just for kids anymore. Families are seeing the same habits in parents and grandparents. Dr. Sanjay Gupta talks with psychiatrist Dr. Sue Varma about risks to the aging brain, warning signs and what families can do. Our show was produced by Kyra Dahring and Jennifer Lai. Medical Writer: Andrea KaneShowrunner: Dan BloomTechnical Director: Dan Dzula Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Should You Be Worried About Ebola? 26.05.2026 17min

As a growing Ebola outbreak in Central Africa raises alarm, listeners have questions about what it is, how it spreads, and how worried they should be. Sanjay breaks down what we know — including why Ebola is highly infectious but not easily contagious — and why this outbreak has experts on alert. Plus, what it could mean for travel and the upcoming World Cup. This episode was produced by Andrea Kane and Leying Tang Senior Producer: Dan Bloom Technical Director: Dan Dzula Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hope and Advice for Recent Grads 22.05.2026 19min

Dr. Sanjay Gupta returned to his alma mater, University of Michigan Medical School, where he addressed the Class of 2026. Today on Chasing Life, he shares that warm welcome to the newest grads, full of lessons from the field. Our show was produced by Sofía Sanchez Medical Writer: Andrea Kane Senior Producer: Dan Bloom Technical Director: Dan Dzula Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What You Should Know About Nighttime Leg Cramps 19.05.2026 15min

If you’ve ever woken up to a sudden, painful leg cramp, you’re not alone. Sanjay takes a closer look at a listener's question about nighttime leg cramps -- and why popular remedies like bananas and magnesium don’t always help. Plus, what swollen feet and ankles can reveal about your health. This episode was produced by Jennifer Lai with assistance from Elizabeth Corallo Medical Writer: Andrea Kane Senior Producer: Dan Bloom Technical Director: Dan Dzula Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What Your Hair Knows About Your Health That You Don’t 15.05.2026 29min

Thinning hair, shedding, and sudden graying can send people searching for answers. This week, Sanjay speaks with dermatologist and Harvard assistant professor Dr. Maryanne Makredes Senna about what could be driving hair loss, what to watch for, and which treatments are actually worth it. Plus, practical tips and the biggest myths to avoid. This episode was produced by Jennifer Lai and Kyra Dahring. Medical Writer: Andrea Kane Senior Producer: Dan Bloom Technical Director: Dan Dzula Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What You Need to Know About Hantavirus 12.05.2026 19min

After a deadly outbreak on an expedition cruise ship, listeners have questions about hantavirus and what it means for them. Sanjay breaks down what we know about how it spreads, and how worried you actually need to be. Plus, what experts are saying about the pandemic potential of the virus. This episode was produced by Andrea Kane, Jennifer Lai and Kyra Dahring. Senior Producer: Dan Bloom Technical Director: Dan Dzula Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

AI Is in Your Healthcare Now. Here’s What to Know 08.05.2026 30min

More people are turning to AI for health advice, but how reliable is it? Dr. Sanjay Gupta sits down with Dr. Bob Wachter, author of "A Giant Leap," to unpack how AI is already helping patients and doctors, where it can go wrong, and how to use these tools safely without over relying on them. Dr. Gupta is a practicing neurosurgeon and member of the National Academy of Medicine’s AI Code of Conduct Steering Committee. He has previously provided limited consulting to OpenEvidence as a medical advisor. Our show was produced by Kyra Dahring with support from Jennifer Lai and Elizabeth Corallo Medical Writer: Andrea KaneSenior Producer: Dan BloomTechnical Director: Dan Dzula Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Will Mocktails Help Reduce Your Cancer Risk? 05.05.2026 15min

We all know drinking alcohol is bad for our health, but how much can it reduce our risk of cancer if we drink less or even cut it out entirely? This week, Dr. Sanjay Gupta digs into the correlation between consuming alcohol and risk of cancer as well as alternatives to alcohol if you’re feeling pressured to drink. Plus, we explain if silicone is a better alternative to replace plastic and what the differences between these two materials are. This episode was produced by Leying Tang Showrunner: Amanda Sealy Senior Producer: Dan Bloom Technical Director: Dan Dzula Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Why GLP-1s May or May Not Be for You 01.05.2026 31min

GLP-1s are no longer only for weight loss or diabetes. Dr. Sanjay Gupta invites CNN's Meg Tirrell back to Chasing Life to update on the drug’s benefits and risks. Plus, why they’ve personally considered -- and decided against – taking one. Our show was produced by Sofia Sanchez Medical Writer: Andrea Kane Showrunner: Amanda Sealy Senior Producer: Dan Bloom Technical Director: Dan Dzula Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Autism Doesn’t End at Childhood. Here’s the Reality 28.04.2026 16min

A listener named Victoria wants to know what comes next for her autistic teenage son. This week on Paging Dr. Gupta, we look at how the needs of autistic kids change as they grow up. Plus, common misconceptions about independence, college, and work for autistic teens and adults, with insight from autism researcher and Arizona State University professor Dr. Joshua Anbar. If you want to get a glimpse into the lives of Victoria and Mason, see this photo essay. This episode was produced by Jennifer Lai and Kyra Dahring. Showrunner: Amanda Sealy Senior Producer: Dan Bloom Technical Director: Dan Dzula Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What You’ve Wanted to Know About Autism but Were Too Afraid to Ask 24.04.2026 30min

In response to a listener's call about her autistic son, Dr. Sanjay Gupta invited leading autism researcher Dr. Matthew Lerner, Director of the Social Connections and Treatment Lab at the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute, to break down how our understanding of autism has changed, what it means to be “on the spectrum” and why diagnoses are on the rise. The conversation continues next Tuesday on Paging Dr. Gupta, where Sanjay explores what growing up and transitioning into adulthood really looks like for autistic people. Our show was produced by Jennifer Lai and Kyra Dahring Medical Writer: Andrea KaneShowrunner: Amanda Sealy Senior Producer: Dan BloomTechnical Director: Dan Dzula Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What Happens When Mom-To-Be Smokes Weed While Pregnant? 21.04.2026 18min

Can using cannabis help women manage health issues related to endometriosis and perimenopause? Should women use weed while pregnant or breast feeding? CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr Sanjay Gupta tackles some of your health questions regarding weed and women. Learn more about the effects of cannabis on women, by watching the latest installment of Dr. Gupta’s documentary series, Weed 8: Weed and Women, available stream now on the CNN app. This episode was produced by Andrea Kane and Leying Tang Showrunner: Amanda Sealy Senior Producer: Dan Bloom Technical Director: Dan Dzula Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How Hypnosis May Be More Real, and Powerful, Than You Think 17.04.2026 28min

Most people might think hypnosis is just stage tricks. But the science tells a different story. Dr. Sanjay Gupta talks with Stanford’s Dr. David Spiegel about how clinical hypnosis may help with pain, anxiety, and bad habits. He also explains why elite athletes use it to improve focus and performance, and how you might be able to use it yourself. Producer: Kyra Dahring Medical Writer: Andrea Kane Showrunner: Amanda Sealy Senior Producer: Dan Bloom Technical Director: Dan Dzula Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do Astronauts Float Around While They Sleep? 14.04.2026 15min

Four astronauts returned to Earth recently, after a historic 10-day lunar flyby mission in which they ventured farther into space than any human has before. They were part of Artemis II, NASA’s flight to test how well the agency’s Orion spacecraft, and the astronauts, operate in deep space — all in preparation for longer-term trips to the moon and beyond. CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr Sanjay Gupta answers some of your health-related questions about the mission, including: How do they sleep in zero gravity? What’s up with all those hot sauces? This episode was produced by Leying Tang and Andrea Kane Showrunner: Amanda Sealy Senior Producer: Dan Bloom Technical Director: Dan Dzula Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Everybody Poops— So, Why Is It So Hard to Talk About? 10.04.2026 29min

Even though everyone poops, most of us don’t really want to be reminded of that fact: we downright avoid discussing bowel habits with anyone — even our own doctor. But what happens in our gut is inextricably linked to our overall health. Dr. Sanjay Gupta sits down with neurogastroenterologist and author of the new book “You’ve Been Pooping All Wrong,” Dr. Trisha Pasricha, to discuss the brain-gut axis, the microbiome and what really is normal. Producer and Medical Writer: Andrea Kane Showrunner: Amanda Sealy Senior Producer: Dan Bloom Technical Director: Dan Dzula Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do You Still Need Your Beta Blocker? Here’s the Latest 07.04.2026 11min

For decades, beta blockers were the go‑to prescription after a heart attack - meant to slow the heart rate and prevent future heart attacks. However, doctors are now reconsidering that long‑held approach. This week, Dr. Sanjay Gupta explains who may still need these drugs, who might not, and why tapering safely matters. Also, a listener question about the long‑term side effects of beta blockers. This episode was produced by Jennifer Lai and Nadia Kounang Showrunner: Amanda Sealy Senior Producer: Dan Bloom Technical Director: Dan Dzula Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Did the iPhone Change Everything... Including Us? 03.04.2026 33min

When the first iPhone was unveiled, it sparked a tech revolution. But who could have imagined how much it would reshape our lives? In this episode, Sanjay sits down with CNN’s Chief Climate Correspondent Bill Weir to talk about his new documentary 50 Years of Apple — exploring how our devices have woven themselves into our homes, our habits, and even our parenting. They dig into the rise of screen addiction, what constant device use may be doing to our brains, and where Apple (and our tech‑filled future) may be headed next. 50 Years of Apple for The Whole Story with Anderson Cooper airs Saturday April 4 at 10 p.m. ET on CNN, or you can stream it now on CNN All Access. This episode was produced by Kyra Dahring with assistance from Jennifer Lai Medical Writer: Andrea Kane Showrunner: Amanda Sealy Senior Producer: Dan Bloom Technical Director: Dan Dzula Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Want to Keep Your Eyes in Tip-Top Shape? Here’s How 31.03.2026 17min

As more of us spend our days staring at screens, keeping our eyes healthy matters more than ever. This week, Dr. Sanjay Gupta digs into the small habits, smart food choices, and the right eye drops that can help protect your “super peepers” for the long run. Plus, we dig into why one listener feels weak even while staying active -- and why the difference between strength and muscle mass matters. This episode was produced by Leying Tang and Jennifer Lai. Showrunner: Amanda Sealy Senior Producer: Dan Bloom Technical Director: Dan Dzula Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is Cortisol Hurting You or Helping You? 27.03.2026 27min

Cortisol gets blamed for everything from sleepless nights to stubborn belly fat, but the real story is far more complicated. Dr. Sanjay Gupta talks with Dr. Robert Sapolsky, a neuroscientist, biologist, and Stanford University professor, and author of Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers, about what this stress hormone actually does and why it matters. Sapolsky explains how chronic stress affects sleep, metabolism, mood, and long‑term health, and shares what we can learn from creatures who manage stress far better than we do... including how you might do the same. Our show was produced by Jennifer Lai. Medical Writer: Andrea Kane Showrunner: Amanda Sealy Senior Producer: Dan Bloom Technical Director: Dan Dzula Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices