What You’ve Wanted to Know About Autism but Were Too Afraid to Ask

A listener named Victoria wants to know what comes next for her autistic teenage son. This week on Paging Dr. Gupta, we look at how the needs of autistic kids change as they grow up. Plus, common misconceptions about independence, college, and work for autistic teens and adults, with insight from autism researcher and Arizona State University professor Dr. Joshua Anbar.  If you want to get a glimpse into the lives of Victoria and Mason, see this photo essay.   This episode was produced by Jennifer Lai and Kyra Dahring.   Showrunner: Amanda Sealy  Senior Producer: Dan Bloom  Technical Director: Dan Dzula  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In response to a listener's call about her autistic son, Dr. Sanjay Gupta invited leading autism researcher Dr. Matthew Lerner, Director of the Social Connections and Treatment Lab at the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute, to break down how our understanding of autism has changed, what it means to be “on the spectrum” and why diagnoses are on the rise. The conversation continues next Tuesday on Paging Dr. Gupta, where Sanjay explores what growing up and transitioning into adulthood really looks like for autistic people. Our show was produced by Jennifer Lai and Kyra Dahring Medical Writer: Andrea KaneShowrunner: Amanda Sealy Senior Producer: Dan BloomTechnical Director: Dan Dzula Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Can using cannabis help women manage health issues related to endometriosis and perimenopause? Should women use weed while pregnant or breast feeding? CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr Sanjay Gupta tackles some of your health questions regarding weed and women.  Learn more about the effects of cannabis on women, by watching the latest installment of Dr. Gupta’s documentary series, Weed 8: Weed and Women, available stream now on the CNN app. This episode was produced by Andrea Kane and Leying Tang Showrunner: Amanda Sealy Senior Producer: Dan Bloom Technical Director: Dan Dzula Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Most people might think hypnosis is just stage tricks. But the science tells a different story. Dr. Sanjay Gupta talks with Stanford’s Dr. David Spiegel about how clinical hypnosis may help with pain, anxiety, and bad habits. He also explains why elite athletes use it to improve focus and performance, and how you might be able to use it yourself. Producer: Kyra Dahring Medical Writer: Andrea Kane Showrunner: Amanda Sealy  Senior Producer: Dan Bloom Technical Director: Dan Dzula Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Four astronauts returned to Earth recently, after a historic 10-day lunar flyby mission in which they ventured farther into space than any human has before. They were part of Artemis II, NASA’s flight to test how well the agency’s Orion spacecraft, and the astronauts, operate in deep space — all in preparation for longer-term trips to the moon and beyond. CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr Sanjay Gupta answers some of your health-related questions about the mission, including: How do they sleep in zero gravity? What’s up with all those hot sauces? This episode was produced by Leying Tang and Andrea Kane   Showrunner: Amanda Sealy  Senior Producer: Dan Bloom Technical Director: Dan Dzula Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Even though everyone poops, most of us don’t really want to be reminded of that fact: we downright avoid discussing bowel habits with anyone — even our own doctor. But what happens in our gut is inextricably linked to our overall health. Dr. Sanjay Gupta sits down with neurogastroenterologist and author of the new book “You’ve Been Pooping All Wrong,” Dr. Trisha Pasricha, to discuss the brain-gut axis, the microbiome and what really is normal. Producer and Medical Writer: Andrea Kane  Showrunner: Amanda Sealy  Senior Producer: Dan Bloom  Technical Director: Dan Dzula Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For decades, beta blockers were the go‑to prescription after a heart attack - meant to slow the heart rate and prevent future heart attacks. However, doctors are now reconsidering that long‑held approach. This week, Dr. Sanjay Gupta explains who may still need these drugs, who might not, and why tapering safely matters. Also, a listener question about the long‑term side effects of beta blockers. This episode was produced by Jennifer Lai and Nadia Kounang Showrunner: Amanda Sealy  Senior Producer: Dan Bloom Technical Director: Dan Dzula Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When the first iPhone was unveiled, it sparked a tech revolution. But who could have imagined how much it would reshape our lives? In this episode, Sanjay sits down with CNN’s Chief Climate Correspondent Bill Weir to talk about his new documentary 50 Years of Apple — exploring how our devices have woven themselves into our homes, our habits, and even our parenting. They dig into the rise of screen addiction, what constant device use may be doing to our brains, and where Apple (and our tech‑filled future) may be headed next.  50 Years of Apple for The Whole Story with Anderson Cooper airs Saturday April 4 at 10 p.m. ET on CNN, or you can stream it now on CNN All Access. This episode was produced by Kyra Dahring with assistance from Jennifer Lai Medical Writer: Andrea Kane Showrunner: Amanda Sealy  Senior Producer: Dan Bloom Technical Director: Dan Dzula Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As more of us spend our days staring at screens, keeping our eyes healthy matters more than ever. This week, Dr. Sanjay Gupta digs into the small habits, smart food choices, and the right eye drops that can help protect your “super peepers” for the long run. Plus, we dig into why one listener feels weak even while staying active -- and why the difference between strength and muscle mass matters. This episode was produced by Leying Tang and Jennifer Lai.  Showrunner: Amanda Sealy Senior Producer: Dan Bloom Technical Director: Dan Dzula Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Cortisol gets blamed for everything from sleepless nights to stubborn belly fat, but the real story is far more complicated. Dr. Sanjay Gupta talks with Dr. Robert Sapolsky, a neuroscientist, biologist, and Stanford University professor, and author of Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers, about what this stress hormone actually does and why it matters. Sapolsky explains how chronic stress affects sleep, metabolism, mood, and long‑term health, and shares what we can learn from creatures who manage stress far better than we do... including how you might do the same.   Our show was produced by Jennifer Lai.   Medical Writer: Andrea Kane Showrunner: Amanda Sealy Senior Producer: Dan Bloom Technical Director: Dan Dzula Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices