The People's Pharmacy

This week, Joe and Terry Graedon welcome your questions and stories about the dangers of overdosing on OTC meds. Dr. Lisa Sanders, an acknowledged expert on medical diagnosis, starts us off with a story about a patient’s mysterious illness. How was it linked to the medicine he was taking? You can ask your questions about […]

This week on our nationally syndicated radio show, we examine the consequences of prescriptions for anxiety or grief. All of us, at some point in our lives, will experience some of these emotions. If we discuss them with a healthcare provider, there’s a chance we’ll end up with a prescription. When are medications helpful and […]

. Decades ago, people trusted their doctors and assumed that physicians always had the patient’s best interests in mind. That belief has faded and trust in medicine seems to be in tatters following the divisive battles of the pandemic. In this episode, we consider how doctors might rebuild faith in medicine. You may want to […]

Plenty of issues in the public eye could well make anyone anxious. Some people suffer more than others, however. What we feed our gut microbes–and ourselves–can make a big difference. In this episode, a nutritional psychiatrist and professional chef explains how to calm your mind with smart food choices. You may want to listen through […]

Everyone is weary of the coronavirus pandemic and ready to be done with it. So the news that a new pandemic is already slowly unfolding is unwelcome. But unless we pay attention and do what we can to reverse the growing trend of antimicrobial resistant infections, they could end up causing even more death and […]

What do you want to know about prostate cancer? This week, Joe and Terry Graedon welcome your questions about the latest screening tools and treatments for prostate cancer. Almost 300,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year, but stigma keeps many from discussing it. As a result, they may not learn about the latest […]

Chemists use compounds such as bisphenols and phthalates to help make plastic packaging strong and durable. In this episode, two experts describe how these chemicals get into our food and how we can minimize our exposure. They share their advice on how to eat less plastic. You may want to listen through your local public […]

If you tell your healthcare provider that you’re feeling anxious or depressed, chances are they will prescribe you a medication. Millions of people take anti-anxiety pills or antidepressants, and many find that the medicine makes life more bearable. But can you understand what makes your life meaningful? For that, you might need to tell your […]

This week, Joe and Terry Graedon welcome your stories and questions about living with animals. Does a cat purring on your lap help you calm down after a hectic day? Has walking the dog become a part of your exercise routine? Tell us about your pets at 888-472-3366 between 7 and 8 am EST. Or […]

This week, two guests describe their work with the healing power of medicinal herbs. They draw upon family histories of herbalism along with their own studies of how to use botanical medicines. You may want to listen through your local public radio station or get the live stream at 7 am EDT on your computer […]

This week, we talk with Dr. Paul Offit, author of the new book, Tell Me When It’s Over. Most of us are more than ready to move on from the COVID-19 pandemic. We’ll discuss how public health officials could regain our trust. In addition, we consider what lessons we should take away from this experience. […]

This week, our guests examine the quality of medications. Does importing a majority of our medicines from plants in places like India or China compromise our national security? Just how well does the FDA monitor drug quality? You may want to listen through your local public radio station or get the live stream at 7 […]

This week, Joe and Terry Graedon entertain your questions and stories about home remedies. What do you do for leg cramps or heartburn? Call in your favorites at 888-472-3366 between 7 and 8 am EST, or send us an email beforehand: [email protected]. We’ll explore whether there is science supporting home remedies. You could listen through […]

This week, our guest is one of the country’s leading experts on schizophrenia, Dr. Jeffrey Lieberman. He teaches at the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, part of Columbia University, where he studies the treatment of mental illness. His research led to the therapeutic strategy of early detection and intervention for a malady of the […]

This week, we talk with America’s Pharmacist, Suzy Cohen, about the effectiveness of medications and natural healing. Suzy has a multimedia presence in newspapers and on television. Millions of people trust her advice on over-the-counter and prescription medicines. She is also a strong advocate for natural approaches. You may want to listen through your local […]

This week, dermatologist Chris Adigun joins us live in the studio to answer your questions about how to treat your skin and hair when the weather gets cold. Cold wind, low humidity and forced hot air indoors can all conspire to dry out your skin. Call in your questions about winterizing your skin at 888-472-3366 […]

Too many of us assume that aging automatically brings debility and cognitive decline. So it is a pleasure to talk with a centenarian who is ready to share the secrets to living a long healthy life. Secrets to Living a Long Healthy Life: Dr. Gladys McGarey is 102 years old. She spent her childhood in […]

This week on our nationally syndicated radio show, you’ll hear an internationally recognized expert on overcoming eating disorders. There are several different types of eating disorders, and they are far more common than most people realize. With so much emotion surrounding food and body image, you might have a hard time understanding how to help […]

In this week’s interview, Dr. Aaron Carroll of Indiana University discusses what we should take into account when we evaluate prescription drugs. How can we tell if the benefits would outweigh the risks for us? You may want to listen to it through your local public radio station or get the live stream at 7 […]

In this week’s interview, a board-certified geriatric pharmacist explains why taking an older person off a medication might be just as important as putting them on one. In fact, since prescriptions tend to accumulate over time, the delicate art of deprescribing is even more essential. This pharmacist helps physicians determine how to reduce the number […]

This week’s interview is on an underappreciated killer, sudden cardiac death. This is not the same thing as a heart attack. Our guest, Dr. Zian Tseng, has been studying cardiac arrest for years to learn why it happens and what to do about it. You may want to listen to it through your local public […]

This week’s interviews focus on the benefits of better hearing. Dr. Frank Lin describes the results of the ACHIEVE study, in which some participants got a very significant delay in the onset of cognitive decline if they were provided with needed hearing aids. We also talk with a reporter about recently introduced over-the-counter devices. You […]

In this episode of our nationally syndicated radio show, we talk with two physicians who have looked closely at the research on using herbs for healing. Sometimes, people dismiss the medicines we can find in plants as old wives’ tales or silly home remedies. Increasingly, however, scientists are confirming that certain herbs can be very […]

This week’s radio show is the second of a two-part series on new medicines for treating obesity. This episode features Dr. Robert Lustig, neuroendocrinologist and anti-obesity crusader. He discusses the uses and disadvantages of drugs such as semaglutide (Wegovy, Ozempic) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro). In addition, he offers a completely different way to combat obesity. You […]

This week’s radio show is the first of a two-part series on new medicines for treating obesity. This episode features obesity expert Dr. Jamy Ard. He’ll describe how he uses drugs such as semaglutide (Wegovy, Ozempic) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro). What are the pros and cons of these medications, and what other approaches are available? You […]

In this broadcast, we answer listeners’ questions about over-the-counter drugs. If you have bought a medicine without a prescription, how do you use it wisely? Dr. Stefanie Ferreri, Distinguished Professor in Pharmacy Practice at the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy is standing by, along with Joe and Terry, to answer your questions about the pros […]

This week’s radio show features two of the country’s leading nutritional epidemiologists, Dr. Walter Willett of Harvard and Dr. Barry Popkin of the University of North Carolina. They discuss some of the challenges with the food on our grocery shelves and advise us on how to tell if the food we choose is real or […]

This week’s radio show features one of our favorite guests, Dr. Robynne Chutkan. She is a gastroenterologist in Washington, DC and is a brilliant communicator. You may want to listen to it through your local public radio station or get the live stream at 7 am EDT on your computer or smart phone (wunc.org). Here […]

This week on our nationally syndicated radio show, we talk with one of the authors of Wonder Drug: 7 scientifically proven ways that serving others is the best medicine for yourself. A self-proclaimed data nerd, Dr. Steve Trzeciak and his coauthor were charged with improving performance and patient satisfaction for a large hospital. The consultants […]

According to the CDC, cases of COVID-19 have been rising in several parts of the country. Cases of hospitalization for COVID are also up. One way to protect ourselves from airborne germs like the SARS-CoV-2 virus is through better ventilation and air filtration. How well are we using these techniques? Maximizing Ventilation to Avoid Airborne […]

Since at least the 16th century, people have suggested that the eyes are the windows to the soul. In the 21st century, ophthalmologists have developed technology that allows them to assess our health beyond our eyes. What do they see when they look through these windows to the brain? Eyes as the Windows to the […]

When you develop a health problem with symptoms that trouble you, the first step is to find out what it is. Diagnosis may be the most basic task a doctor or other healthcare provider undertakes. That doesn’t mean it is easy, though. New research is uncovering the shocking dangers of misdiagnosis. The Dangers of Misdiagnosis […]

When you think of preventing heart disease, what comes to mind? We hope you envision regular exercise and a healthful diet (whatever that means to you). Perhaps you also plan for regular checkups and know what your cholesterol levels are. If they have been high, you may be taking a statin cholesterol-lowering drug to get […]

Only a few decades ago, most households had very limited ways of measuring their members’ health. There were thermometers to tell if someone had a fever. A bathroom scale could tell if you were losing or gaining weight. For quite a while, if you wanted to know about your blood sugar or your blood pressure, […]

Have you ever taken a package out of your mailbox on a hot day and noticed that it was warm to the touch? If the pouch contained a tee shirt or a pair of sneakers, you probably didn’t think much more of it. But millions of people get their medications by mail, and some medicines […]

No question about it, sunshine and heat can be stressful for your skin. This episode is all about solutions to summer skin problems. Sunscreens offer the promise of protection from sunburn, but are they as good as we think they are? Does sunscreen block vitamin D formation? Find out which sunscreen ingredients work best and […]

It’s way too hot, not just in the United States, but in other parts of the world as well. The temperature in Rome this week was 107 degrees Fahrenheit. It is anticipated that the islands of Sicily and Sardinia could reach as high as 118. Temperatures were also dangerously high in Athens, leading authorities there […]

You are probably familiar with adrenaline, the hormone that jolts through your body in an emergency. As a result, your heart beats faster and harder, your hands shake, your pupils dilate and your muscles are mobilized for fast action. This is extremely useful in a crisis. But what if your body goes into crisis mode […]

This week on our nationally syndicated radio show, our topic is evolution and the role of delicious flavors. We talk with Dr. Rob Dunn, ecologist and evolutionary biologist, about how the search for food with delicious flavors as well as high nutrient content might have shaped our behavior as we evolved. How Humans Define Delicious […]

Until 1994, when Congress passed legislation on dietary supplements, most people using herbal medicine made it themselves or got it from a friend or family member with a green thumb. Before that time, most stores selling herbs in tinctures, capsules and tea bags were small, and so were the companies supplying them. Now, though, the […]

If you are like us, you welcome the first warm days of the season with joy. And then you start to fret. How can you avoid tick bites? Many people recognize Lyme disease as a serious health threat from deer tick bites. However, fewer are aware that a bite from a completely different tick, the […]

Millions of Americans take dietary supplements, and most of us assume that they are safe. While that is probably a reasonable rule of thumb, there are some situations that require more vigilance. In particular, we need to beware of herb and drug interactions. Even your doctor may not know about the hidden harms. How Risky […]

Physical activity is a key pillar of good health. Fewer than a fourth of American adults move their bodies enough to keep them healthy. The rest of us may spend too much time sitting in front of a computer or television screen. We recognize we need more exercise. But just as we wouldn’t try to […]

Are you getting enough fresh air? More than a century ago, Florence Nightingale insisted that hospitals needed good ventilation to get lots of fresh air. That would keep patients from spreading dangerous respiratory infections like tuberculosis. Although she didn’t use the term, she was describing the concept of sick buildings. Over the last year and […]

For decades researchers have told us that beta amyloid accumulation in the brain causes Alzheimer disease (AD). The FDA has recently approved two new drugs, Aduhelm and Leqembi, based on this theory. There is a third drug, donanemab, waiting on the runway. All three medications are very good at removing amyloid plaque from the brain, […]

You may not have thought much about long illness, but chances are you know someone who is suffering with one. The CDC estimates that some chronic condition afflicts as many as one in six American adults. That could be more than 130 million people. What counts as a long illness? Now, as experts declare that […]

This week on our nationally syndicated radio show, we explore the ecology of our bodies, especially our skin. Our faces, our armpits and even our bellybuttons harbor a multitude of tiny animals that we don’t see most of the time. What are they doing on us? The Fascinating World of the Tiny Animals Living on […]

This week’s episode begins with an interview. We talk with Dr. Craig Hopp of the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health about why doctors so often dismiss home remedies as old wives tales. Then he describes how we could evaluate remedies without randomized controlled trials. Natural products may offer leads for new drug development. […]

We have multiple nervous systems. You are probably aware of the nerves that help move your arms to throw a ball or move your legs to jump. No doubt you also know about the fight-or-flight response triggered by a fright. The oddly named sympathetic nervous system is in charge of that. Many of us don’t […]

Have you ever wondered what makes for a meaningful life? Philosophers have debated this for centuries, but now science has something to add. The current director of the Harvard Study of Adult Development shares the findings from this long-running, in-depth research on the factors that lead to happiness and a meaningful life. 80+ Years of […]