Pain is in the Brain

Many people lost their sense of smell and taste during the early waves of Covid-19. Is there help for those who have yet to recover? CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta sniffs out answers. Plus, a listener warning about a new malady striking some hardcore cannabis users. Producer & Medical Writer: Andrea Kane Showrunner: Amanda Sealy Senior Producer: Dan Bloom Technical Director: Dan Dzula Executive Producer: Steve Lickteig Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We often think of pain starting at the source of an injury, but the truth is, it’s all starts in our brain. Dr. Sanjay Gupta explores how discovering the root cause of pain not only helps us understand it but also how to find much needed relief.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Even as a trauma neurosurgeon, Dr. Sanjay Gupta thought he understood pain. But, when his mother fell and broke her back, it changed the way he thought about pain and how it impacts people’s lives.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After a head-spinning year in the worlds of health and technology, Audie Cornish of The Assignment sat down with Dr. Sanjay Gupta and Clare Duffy from Terms of Service, to break down the stories that ended up on all their podcasts this year. Producer: Dan Bloom Technical Director: Dan Dzula Executive Producer: Steve Lickteig Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

From the resurgence of measles to a new way to treat pain, 2025 was a challenge for public health while still offering moments of hope. Sanjay recaps the year with his top 10 health stories of 2025. Producer & Showrunner: Amanda Sealy Medical Writer: Amanda Sealy Senior Producer: Dan Bloom Technical Director: Dan Dzula Executive Producer: Steve Lickteig Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The holidays are full of stories, laughter, and maybe a little disagreement. Ever try telling a story and hear someone say, “That’s not what happened!”? There’s actually science behind it. Dr. Signy Sheldon, a psychologist at McGill University, explains why our memories differ, how they shift over time, and shares tips for telling stories that connect—without sparking family debate.  Producer: Kyra Dahring  Medical Writer: Andrea Kane  Showrunner: Amanda Sealy  Senior Producer: Dan Bloom  Technical Director: Dan Dzula  Executive Producer: Steve Lickteig Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

“Drink your milk,” we are told as children. CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta examines our practice of continuing to drinking cow’s milk as we grow up. Plus, how to get the best sleep if you work the night shift.  Producer & Medical Writer: Andrea Kane Showrunner: Amanda Sealy Senior Producer: Dan Bloom Technical Director: Dan Dzula Executive Producer: Steve Lickteig Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The average person gets two to four colds a year. With all the missed school and work, that adds up to an economic impact of about $40 billion, according to some studies. So why haven’t we cured the common cold yet? CNN Medical Correspondent Meg Tirrell explores the science, the history, and the modern attempts to finally crack the case. Producer: Jesse Remedios Medical Writer: Andrea Kane Showrunner: Amanda Sealy Senior Producer: Dan Bloom Technical Director: Dan Dzula Executive Producer: Steve Lickteig Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

There’s a new sleep trend making waves: taping your mouth shut at night. Advocates say it can help you breathe better, sleep deeper, and even wake up more energized. But is it safe -- or could it put your health at risk? Sanjay breaks down what the science says about this viral “hack” and what doctors want you to know before you try it. Plus, a listener asks about calcium supplements and testosterone for bone loss.   This episode was produced by Jennifer Lai  Medical Writer: Andrea Kane Showrunner: Amanda Sealy Senior Producer: Dan Bloom Technical Director: Dan Dzula Executive Producer: Steve Lickteig Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Parkinson’s disease, a progressive movement disorder whose hallmark is damage to the dopamine-producing neurons in the brain, afflicts almost 12 million people worldwide. And the number of new cases is growing quickly. For roughly 13% of patients, genetics plays a key role. For many others, the underlying cause of the disease might be more mundane and insidious: environmental toxins — via the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat and the chemicals with which we regularly come in contact. Neurologist Dr Michael Okun, co-author of The Parkinson’s Plan, joins CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr Sanjay Gupta to discuss where we stand today in our understanding of this disease, and the “PLAN” moving forward.  This episode was produced by Andrea Kane Medical Writer: Andrea KaneShowrunner: Amanda SealySenior Producer: Dan BloomTechnical Director: Dan Dzula Executive Producer: Steve Lickteig Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices