Recreational cannabis has become increasingly potent since Canada legalized it in 2018. That means intense and longer-lasting highs. Psychiatrist Dr. Philip Tibbo sheds light on what high-potency cannabis is, its physical and mental effects, and how to safely consume the drug.

For transcripts of The Dose, please visit: lnk.to/dose-transcripts. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. For more episodes of this podcast, click this link.

Wildfire smoke can feel unavoidable during summer in Canada, and that's on top of the air pollution that most cities experience during warmer months. Respirologist Dr. Chris Carlsten, head of University of British Columbia's Air Pollution Exposure Lab, explains how poor air quality affects our health, and how masks and air filters can help.

For transcripts of The Dose, please visit: lnk.to/dose-transcripts. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. For more episodes of this podcast, click this link.

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To live longer, healthier lives, we need to eat a balanced diet, get enough exercise and sleep, and go easy on the alcohol. While the solutions are simple, building healthy habits is more complicated. Dr. Eric Topol, director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute and author of Super Agers: An Evidence-Based Approach to Longevity, explains why we should aim for a long "healthspan" versus "lifespan," and offers advice on how to build the habits that will help get us there.

For transcripts of The Dose, please visit: lnk.to/dose-transcripts. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. For more episodes of this podcast, click this link.

Fill out our listener survey here. We appreciate your input! 

Just Asking, hosted by Saroja Coelho, takes audience questions about major news and trends, then invites experts to give you the answers needed to make better decisions in your life.

In this episode: Drugs like ketamine, MDMA and psilocybin are being looked at as possible treatments for depression, anxiety and PTSD. And while there’s a growing appetite from patients to explore these options, the research is still ongoing about why they work the way they do, and which patients are best suited for them. Where does the research currently stand? And what risks should patients be aware of? Just Asking brings on two experts to help answer those questions.

You can find more episodes of Just Asking here.

Cosmetics are a big business. But while many brands promise to beautify and rejuvenate, it's not always clear whether their makeup products and creams actually benefit our skin. Dermatologist Dr. Renee Beach explains how some cosmetics, including anti-aging creams, can improve skin health, but says not to believe everything you read on the label.

For transcripts of The Dose, please visit: lnk.to/dose-transcripts. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. For more episodes of this podcast, click this link.

Former U.S. president Joe Biden's advanced prostate cancer has raised some questions, like how it could have gone undiagnosed for so long, and what the future holds. Dr. Laurence Klotz, chief of urology at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, explains how prostate cancer is diagnosed, why some forms are more aggressive than others, and the extensive array of treatments available.

For transcripts of The Dose, please visit: lnk.to/dose-transcripts. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. For more episodes of this podcast, click this link.

We think of varicose veins as something that happens mostly to older people. It turns out the slow-moving condition usually begins at a much younger age. Dr. Varun Kapila is a vascular surgeon and president of the Canadian Society for Vascular Surgery. He says there are a few lifestyle factors that can reduce the chances of getting varicose veins — or at least slow their progression.

For transcripts of The Dose, please visit: lnk.to/dose-transcripts. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. For more episodes of this podcast, click this link.

Seasonal allergy sufferers who've noticed their symptoms getting worse aren't imagining things. Due mostly to the effects of climate change, but also urban planning, seasonal allergies are more intense. Dr. Anne Ellis, chair of the division of allergy and immunology at Queen's University, explains why you're suffering more, and that allergy treatments are offering new hope.

For transcripts of The Dose, please visit: lnk.to/dose-transcripts. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. For more episodes of this podcast, click this link.

A new miracle cure-all has been making the rounds on social media, promising that people who take methylene blue can improve their mood and cognition. Some TikTok videos even suggest the synthetic dye could be used to treat cancer. Joe Schwarcz, director of McGill's Office for Science and Society, explains there’s little evidence to suggest methylene blue is useful outside of very specific circumstances.

For transcripts of The Dose, please visit: lnk.to/dose-transcripts. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. For more episodes of this podcast, click this link.

U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently spoke of an autism "epidemic" when he announced "a massive testing and research effort" to investigate potential causes. But as developmental pediatrician Dr. Melanie Penner explains, the rise in diagnoses reflects broader recognition of the signs and symptoms, rather than increased prevalence. And that, she says, means more people are getting the help they need. 

For transcripts of The Dose, please visit: lnk.to/dose-transcripts. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. For more episodes of this podcast, click this link.