Chasing Life with Dr. Sanjay Gupta

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 shifted again. Teen vaping rates have dropped, but new nicotine products have quickly taken their place. Dr. Pamela Ling, a professor at University of California San Francisco who has spent her career studying the tobacco industry’s tactics, joins Dr. Sanjay Gupta to talk about why nicotine remains such a moving target — and how parents can help their kids stay ahead of it.

We have updated this episode after Phillip Morris International, the maker of ZYN, provided additional information regarding its product.

Producer: Jesse Remedios

Senior Producer: Dan Bloom

Showrunner: Amanda Sealy

Technical Director: Dan Dzula

Executive Producer: Steve Lickteig

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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 throughout the entire year. Worst of all: many are forced to make a choice with imperfect information. To help walk us through open enrollment, Dr. Sanjay Gupta talks to Elisabeth Rosenthal, senior contributing editor at KFF Health News, who has made it her mission to demystify the process.

This episode was produced by Andrea Kane and Sofía Sanchez

Showrunner: Amanda Sealy

Senior Producer: Dan Bloom

Technical Director: Dan Dzula

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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 system so complicated? And how can we fix it? To help demystify it, Dr. Sanjay Gupta talks to Elisabeth Rosenthal, the doctor turned health journalist who wrote, An American Sickness: How Healthcare Became Big Business and How You Can Take It Back. She's currently senior contributing editor at KFF Health News.

This episode was produced by Sofía Sanchez and Leying Tang

Medical Writer: Andrea Kane

Showrunner: Amanda Sealy

Senior Producer: Dan Bloom

Technical Director: Dan Dzula

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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 Paging Doctor Gupta. Plus, hypertension is rising among young people. Do we need to start paying attention earlier?

This episode was produced by Sofía Sánchez, Andrea Kane, and Nadia Kounang

Showrunner: Amanda Sealy

Senior Producer: Dan Bloom

Technical Director: Dan Dzula

Executive Producer: Steve Lickteig

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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 trying to figure out why this is happening. Dr. Sanjay Gupta talks with oncologist Dr. Kimmie Ng about what’s behind this rise, why colorectal cancer is leading the trend, and the signs you shouldn’t ignore. 

You can find more information and resources at the Young-Onset Colorectal Cancer Center at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. 

This episode was produced by Kyra Dahring. 

Medical Writer: Andrea Kane

Showrunner: Amanda Sealy

Senior Producer: Dan Bloom

Technical Director: Dan Dzula 

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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 that on this week’s Paging Doctor Gupta. Plus, can already being on an antibiotic protect you from someone else’s pneumonia?

This episode was produced by Andrea Kane and Jennifer Lai.

Showrunner: Amanda Sealy 

Senior Producer: Dan Bloom

Technical Director: Dan Dzula

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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 “Make America Healthy Again.” This conversation took place on Friday, September 26th, 2025.

Our show was produced by Jennifer Lai, with assistance from Leying Tang, Kyra Dahring, Jesse Remedios, and Nadia Kounang.

Medical Writer: Andrea Kane
Showrunner: Amanda Sealy 
Senior Producer: Dan Bloom
Technical Director: Dan Dzula

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President Trump has linked the use of acetaminophen — brand name: Tylenol — during pregnancy to autism in children. In this episode of Paging Dr Gupta, Dr. Sanjay Gupta answers questions about how strong that association is. Plus, what are the consequences of not treating a fever during pregnancy?

Producer: Andrea Kane

Showrunner: Amanda Sealy

Senior Producer: Dan Bloom

Technical Director: Dan Dzula

Executive Producer: Steve Lickteig

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Is delegating tasks and even thinking to digital devices making us lose our minds, or at least some brain function? Dr. Sanjay Gupta and neuroscientist Baroness Susan Greenfield, Oxford University professor and author of “Mind Change: How Digital Technologies Are Leaving Their Mark on Our Brains,” discuss and debate how screen time might be impacting our human connections and own cognitive abilities. Plus, Greenfield gives us three ways to reclaim our digital independence. 

Producer: Sofía Sánchez

Medical Writer: Andrea Kane
Showrunner: Amanda Sealy
Senior Producer: Dan Bloom
Technical Director: Dan Dzula

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The kissing bug disease — aka: Chagas disease — is slowly becoming endemic in certain parts of the United States. Dr. Sanjay Gupta explains what you need to know about detecting it, treating it and avoiding it. You’ll also learn if it can infect your fur babies, too.

Producer: Andrea Kane 

Showrunner: Amanda Sealy 

Senior Producer: Dan Bloom 

Technical Director: Dan Dzula

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