It wouldn't be Twenty Fungalore without talking about the alleged medicinal properties of mushrooms, which are a fungus and not a plant at all. Justin and Dr. Sydnee talk to Cleveland about common fungi used as medical supplements, from the parasitic Cordyceps to the infamous psilocybin.

Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/

Magnetic bracelets, immortality rings . . . the internet is full of wearables that are sold for their medicinal properties as if they’re equipment in Baldur’s Gate. Dr. Sydnee and Justin talk about the history of this fashionable medicine and what it claims to do. 

Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/

Sometimes the cities we visit on tour have some historical medical mess-ups, but not Detroit! Dr. Sydnee and Justin talk about Forest Dewey Dodrill, who performed the first successful heart surgery (with a pump) in a time where operating on the heart was considered a no-no. 

Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/

You may have heard that a new study showed tampons contain traces of metals. Dr. Sydnee and Justin go through the history of tampons, why they might contain metal, and what we still need to find out about the possible effects of using them.

Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/

Can you touch your tongue with your nose or wiggle your ears? Dr. Sydnee and Justin talk about the science and studies behind weird little tricks some bodies can do, or "stupid human tricks." 

Can you flare your nostrils? Take our poll: https://shorturl.at/rdzY3 

Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/

Sawbones listeners just have so many strange medical questions! Questions like: Why do I sneeze at dark chocolate? Does Diet Coke actually relieve nausea? Why does saliva get thicker while exercising? And you know that TikTok with the cinnamon rolls and the yeast infection. . . is that . . .real? 

Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/

To coincide with the opening of Justin and Sydnee's stage production, we bring to you a classic episode about the medicinal history of chocolate! 

This week on Sawbones, Dr. Sydnee and Justin take a sunrise and sprinkle it with dew. 

Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/

There are different versions of Willy Wonka's chocolate factory exploits, but all of them involve strange things happening to children who misbehave. But from a biological standpoint, what does that look like? Dr. Sydnee and Justin discuss the strange science going on at Wonka's factory and whether gum could possibly contain enough juice to turn someone into a blueberry. 

Note: Willy Wonka is the creation of Roald Dahl, not a good person. More information about his antisemitism available here: https://time.com/5937507/roald-dahl-anti-semitism/ 

Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/

Hot time, summer in the city, time for listener Sawbones questions! Questions like: Why is blood sticky? Why does skin itch when it grows back? Might my twin reject my organs? And should I bring my own speculum to an exam? 

Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/

Dr. Sydnee has ruined her TikTok algorithm for the listeners once again and came across something called "Hydrogen Water." Similar to alkaline water, hydrogen water goes through an ionization process that leaves it with excess hydrogen molecules. But . . . is it better than regular water? Probably not.

Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/