Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine

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

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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

Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joinsawbones

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

Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joinsawbones

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

Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joinsawbones

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/

Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joinsawbones

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/

Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joinsawbones

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/

Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joinsawbones

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/

Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joinsawbones

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/

Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joinsawbones

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/

Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joinsawbones