Sawbones: Kratom
Maybe you've heard of kratom, a substance being sold as a 'natural' energy substance. With its alarmingly growing popularity, Dr. Sydnee and Justin look into what exactly it is, what it really does, and whether you shoul…
Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine
Ever wondered why doctors used to prescribe cigarettes or thought drilling a hole in your skull could cure a headache? That’s the strange territory explored each week on Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine. Hosted by Dr. Sydnee McElroy, a family physician, and her husband Justin McElroy, this is a deeply funny and often cringe-inducing journey through the bizarre history of medical treatments. Together, they dig into the archives to uncover the dumb, bad, gross, weird, and downright dangerous ideas that have masqueraded as healing science. You’ll hear about everything from radioactive tonics and mercury-laden cure-alls to the peculiar origins of modern fitness fads, all delivered with the easy rapport of a couple who finds humor in humanity’s well-intentioned blunders. This podcast isn’t just a list of historical errors; it’s a conversation that connects past medical misadventures to our current understanding of health, making you appreciate the scientific method while you laugh. The blend of Sydnee’s medical expertise and Justin’s incredulous curiosity creates a uniquely entertaining and informative listen, perfect for anyone fascinated by the odd intersections of comedy, history, and human wellness. Tune in for stories that are as educational as they are hilarious, reminding us that the path to good health has been anything but straight.
Episodes
Sawbones: Hantavirus, Part 2
The recent outbreak of human-communicable Hantavirus on a cruise ship continues to change rapidly and the U.S. continues to lag behind other nations in its response. This week on Sawbones, an update on the situation and…
Sawbones: Hantavirus
In what may be our most requested episode of all time, Dr. Sydnee addresses the hantavirus outbreak in the headlines, looks at its history and evaluates just how badly the U.S. is handling the situation. Music: "Medicine…
Sawbones: Can Black Widow Venom Cure Diabetes?
After all the listener support, it’s only fair we give back! “We” meaning Dr. Sydnee is giving back to the listeners by answering their medical questions! Can hanging upside-down cause lasting damage? Are hangnails rando…
Sawbones: Milk, Part 2 - Government Cheese
Are you ready to lose your mind about dairy and look at your charcuterie board differently? Justin tells Dr. Sydnee all about the inflated demand for milk, how good for you dairy actually is, and how the United States ca…
Sawbones: Milk, Part 1 - Lactose Intolerance
Why do some people have stomachaches when they drink or eat dairy products? Dr. Syndee and Justin talk about lactose and lactase to explain that it's really those who can drink milk who are the outliers and answer the ve…
Sawbones: Vitamin K
No, not the musical artist who sang the graduation song (that's Vitamin C). Vitamin K has been in the news a little bit lately because it's often given as a shot to newborns. Dr. Sydnee talks about the history of its dis…
Sawbones: Ranking TV Medical Shows
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 an…
Sawbones: Medicine in Movies
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,…
Sawbones: Second Update: Havana Syndrome
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…
