PODCAST · health
ACSH Science Dispatch
by ACSH
Health scares seem to lurk around every corner these days. From "toxic" pesticides to "ultra-processed" foods and BPA, the list of things that can supposedly kill us is endless. How do you spot genuine threats amid all the clickbait? Join the American Council on Science and Health each week as we separate science fact from science fiction.
Episodes
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Be skeptical of health skeptics. When debunking goes too far
Debunking misinformation is a big business. For every health "influencer" selling a supplement on Instagram, there's probably a doppelganger with a Ph.D. making a lot of money arguing against supplementation. That's not inherently wrong—unscientific nonsense should be confronted. But when...
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Mom Pod Takeover: Back-to-school health tips, vaccines, and flu season
In the latest episode of the Mom Pod Takeover, we explore back-to-school health tips, vaccine education, and how to handle common childhood illnesses with experts in immunology and science communication. Perfect for parents looking to navigate the germ-filled season with confidence and...
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Marijuana legalization—fool's errand or good policy? Two doctors weigh in
As more states legalize recreational cannabis use, serious health risks linked to the drug appear to be increasing. Emergency rooms have seen more cases of cannabis hyperemesis syndrome—recurrent, uncontrollable vomiting and abdominal pain, sometimes so severe it has been dubbed “scromiting.”…
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Time for accountability on COVID origins
Suppressing government documents and evading Freedom of Information requests. Thousands of emails, Slack messages and diary entries released by Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) have raised troubling questions about the behavior of top public health officials and scientists during the COVID…
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Motion sickness? There's a new drug to calm your queasiness
Motion sickness has plagued travelers for centuries, yet the standard remedies remain largely unchanged—often leaving users drowsy, dry-mouthed and unfocused. A new drug in late-stage trials targets the root cause: a sensory mismatch between what the eyes see and what the inner ear senses. The...
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We're living longer. Are we getting sicker? The 'healthspan' v lifespan debate
We're living longer than ever thanks to dramatic improvements in modern medicine, but are we healthy enough to enjoy those extra golden years? In the wake of the MAHA movement, a recent study claims there's a growing gap between our lifespan and "healthspan," arguing that greater emphasis on...
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PFAS panic—America could waste trillions on a fabricated chemical scare
America’s PFAS rules rest on a questionable 80-year-old assumption born of Hiroshima and Nagasaki: any exposure above zero to certain chemicals is harmful, so levels must be driven to the vanishing point to protect public health. New research by ACSH contributor and toxicologist Edward Calabrese...
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Moms Podcast Takeover: Sun, swim & science with Dr. Liza Lockwood
Summer myths are everywhere—but some can be dangerous. This week on the Mom Pod, Dr. Liza Lockwood joins the moms to separate fact from fiction on sunscreen, water safety, and hydration. From the biggest summer parenting myths to simple science-backed tips that could keep your family safer, this…
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Medical freedom? The case against unregulated peptides
Many consumers are buying unregulated peptides—"for research purposes only"—from suspicious websites with the intention of using the drugs on themselves. Some libertarians claim that the inalienable right to medical freedom legitimizes this transaction. Dr. Dinerstein, who spent decades obtaining...
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Lying With Numbers—How Deceptive Data Bolsters Health Scares
Numbers seem very scientific. They give any argument a veneer of credibility, even a dishonest one that misleads the public. Let's examine some common methods used to take advantage of the public's innumeracy and promote health scares online.
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"Ultra-Processed," "Synthetic": Nonsense Words That Means Nothing
The body responds to molecules and nutrients—not origin stories or factory steps. Whether a chemical is lab-made or a food industrially processed, biology cares about composition, calories, sugar and fiber, not the production method. Natural isn’t inherently safer, and processing isn’t inherently...
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Moms Podcast Takeover: Social Media 'Anxiety Detox' with Dr. Jess Steier
On the latest edition of the Science Dispatch Moms Takeover, ACSH’s Ana Dolaskie and Desiree English team up with Dr. Jess Steier (Unbiased Science) for a no-nonsense social media anxiety detox. They tackle honey and infant botulism risks, viral pesticide panics, and celebrate evidence-based...
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Moms Podcast Takeover: A Pro-Science Parents Guide to Instagram, Pt. 1
Social media can feel like a minefield for parents. Every scroll brings a fresh wave of chemical scares, "toxic" warnings or the latest must-try health fad—if you want to be a "good mom," that is. This week on the Science Dispatch podcast, two ACSH moms step into the host seats: video reporter…
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Regulate Sugar Like Drugs? A Strange Idea With Mainstream Support
Should we regulate sugar like opioids? It's a proposal with widespread appeal (at least in the academy). But when considered practically, the idea runs headlong into the complicated realities of food production, federal bureaucracy and individual behavior.
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'It's Just Hokum': Ultra-Processed Food Doesn't Cause Behavioral Issues in Kids
So-called ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are blamed for a litany of health problems—often based on shaky science. But recent headlines pushed the spurious correlations even further, alleging that some popular snack foods might be linked to behavioral problems in children. The problem? The study…
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Pesticides Killing Bees? Busting Chemical Myths With Dr. Liza Lockwood
Synthetic pesticides: they're the ultimate bogeyman in the mind of today's chemophobic health "influencer." As popular as this view is, it's badly misguided. The truth is that pesticides have dramatically reduced farming's environmental footprint—helping protect beneficial insects as food...
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Fight Drug Abuse With Safe Injection Sites? Dr. Lynn Webster
Drug prohibition hasn't worked. Illicit opioids continue to kill thousands of Americans each year, and the problem grows worse as the illegal drug supply becomes increasingly toxic. With such a lackluster track record, is it time to consider a more radical solution to the overdose epidemic? ACSH...
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Religion and Science—Friends, Enemies or Total Strangers?
You can be religious or you can be scientific—you certainly can’t be both. That’s the framing many people bring to discussions where faith and evidence intersect. But is it really a fair way to approach the issue? No, say Dr. Chuck Dinerstein and Cam English on this episode of The Science…
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Fighting Schizophrenia—With Bacon? How Ketosis May (Or May Not) Help Treat Psychosis
Ketogenic diets can help some obese people lose a significant amount of weight when their health is at risk. But in recent months, social media influencers have also credited these very low-carb diets with a far more remarkable effect: treating, or even curing, schizophrenia. Is there any truth…
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Can Everything Kill My Kids? Combating Viral Pseudoscience with Dr. Jess Steier
Dr. Jess Steier, founder of Unbiased Science, joins Ana and Cam on this episode to break down her most effective misinfo-fighting techniques. In a digital ecosystem where experts are often drowned out by health gurus pushing supplements and e-books, Dr. Steier has built a massive audience of...
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From Boom to Bust and Back: The Real Story of Nuclear Power’s Renaissance
Nuclear power: it's safe, sustainable and affordable. Yet the public knows very little about the technology—save for a flawed memory of a few misunderstood power plant accidents. This ignorance has been used by critics to stifle the technology, limiting the world's access to reliable, low-carbon...
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Natural = Healthier? Busting Chemophobia Myths with Chemist Dr. Simon Maechling
Science has improved our lives in countless ways. Our food is safer than ever, once-deadly diseases are preventable, and we have sustainable energy like nuclear power. Yet few people appreciate this progress—because our social media feeds are flooded with endless pseudoscience. Here's how one...
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What MAHA Gets Wrong About America's 'Healthy' Past
RFK, Jr.'s Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement hinges on the assumption that our country was once far healthier than it is today. The problem? It never was. By almost every metric, Americans lead longer, healthier lives now than their ancestors ever did. Let's take a closer look at the...
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Some People Can't Enjoy Music. Science Has An Explanation
Why do some people get goosebumps from a song while others hear the exact same notes…and feel nothing? New research reveals “musical anhedonia” — a real brain disconnect where music hits your ears but never reaches the reward center. It’s not picky taste, but a fascinating finding from neurology....
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What's Radiation Therapy for Cancer Really Like? An Expert (And Patient) Explains
On this episode of Science Dispatch, we take a look at the radiation oncology experience from the perspective of a patient (and radiation expert) who endured 28 mornings of this common but misunderstood therapy. What does the science say about efficacy and side effects? Perhaps more importantly,...
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You May (But Probably Won't) Benefit From Fish Oil Supplements
Recent research suggests that regular omega-3 intake from supplements is linked to a modest reduction in cardiovascular events—but the benefits are smaller than many headlines suggest, and not everyone experiences them. Who actually gains protection? Let's take a look.
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Kīlauea Eruption: The Nasty Volcanic Chemical You Definitely Shouldn't Breathe
On this episode of Science Dispatch, we dive into the latest Kīlauea eruption and the alarming chemistry behind the air people are breathing. The volcano is releasing massive amounts of sulfur dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, hydrochloric acid, and other nasty gases—creating vog (volcanic smog) that...
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'No Magic Fix': Artificial Sweeteners Won't Save Your Life—But Won't Kill You Either
Non-sugar sweeteners are neither miracle cures for obesity nor hidden health threats. Recent evidence shows they can modestly support weight loss, help reduce sugar intake and fit safely into a balanced diet. The "uncomfortable truth" is clear: these sweeteners are context-dependent tools, not...
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'Ultra-Processed' Food Isn't Driving A Disease Epidemic
In a strange turn of events, The Lancet—one of the world's oldest medical journals—has taken a line you might expect to hear from Robert F. Kennedy Jr., declaring "ultra-processed" food a driver of chronic disease. Is there any evidence behind this association, or are we just dealing with…
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Scromiting Your Way Into The ER. Another Downside of Marijuana Use
With highly potent and (sometimes) legal marijuana widely available across the US, emergency rooms are reporting an increase in cannabis hyperemesis syndrome (CHS), an unpleasant condition characterized by screaming and vomiting—"scromiting" in the vernacular. The condition is yet more evidence...
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Gluten Sensitivity—Health Fad or Medical Condition?
What does science tell us about gluten sensitivity? Depending on whom you ask, it's either a heal scare advanced by social media grifters or a legitimate medical condition that afflicts many people. Let's take a closer look to separate fact from myth.
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Everything You Know About the 'Opioid Epidemic' Is Wrong
The story everyone knows about the opioid epidemic goes like this: Big, bad Purdue Pharma aggressively marketed its potent painkiller OxyContin, hooking legions of unsuspecting Americans on the pharmaceutical equivalent of heroin. It's a compelling tale—and it's wrong in almost of its…
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Dumb Luck Might Have Generated a Cancer Breakthrough
In the high-stakes arena of cancer drug development, SU212 was engineered as a safer twist on podophyllotoxin—a toxic killer designed to halt rogue cell division. Yet in a twist worthy of scientific serendipity, it veered off course, bypassing its intended target entirely and stumbling upon a...
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'Follow the Science'—a Useless Slogan?
Following the emergence of COVID-19, "follow the science" became a stark ideological divide that pitted one American against another. This partisan framing weaponized the scientific method instead of letting it solve a critical public-health crisis. Is it time to abandon this unhelpful slogan and...
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10 Years Cancer-Free: Dr. Dinerstein’s Harrowing Survival Story
"You have cancer." It's a life-changing (and sometimes life-ending) development—a horrible piece of news no one is really ever prepared to receive. Are there better and worse ways to react? Can you do anything to improve your prognosis? Dr. Chuck Dinerstein answers these questions while…
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TRT—Masculine Cure-All for Aging Men, Or Another Health Fad?
Social media is awash in testimonials from anonymous men who claim that testosterone-replacement therapy (TRT) helped them beat depression, sexual dysfunction, obesity and other maladies that often impact men as they age. Such compelling endorsements no doubt appeal to others who struggle with...
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Apple Cider Vinegar for Acid Reflux? No, It'll Just Cause A Stomach Ache
Experiencing heartburn? Then consuming an acidic product like apple cider vinegar isn't the solution. The logic is simple: if you've got excess stomach acid, more acid won't help. But up is down in the world of alternative medicine, so let's take a closer look at the bad chemistry behind this...
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Future Vision—Fighting Blindness with Retinal Implants
A groundbreaking retinal implant, PRIMA, is restoring central vision in patients with geographic atrophy (GA), an advanced form of macular degeneration that blinds roughly 1 million Americans. Unlike drugs that slow progression, this wireless neurostimulation system captures real-world images,...
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Has Modern Life Wrecked Our Microbiome (And Our Health)?
The trillions of microbes that live in and on the human body—collectively known as the microbiome—appear to have profoundly important effects on our health. This raises a potential concern: some of our most significant public health interventions—vaccines, antibiotics, sanitation—are designed to...
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Fiber Maxxers v Fiber Haters. Who Has Science On Their Side?
How much fiber do you really need to maintain optimal metabolic health? Ferocious partisans on either side of the debate will give you opposing answers, each supported by superficially compelling scientific evidence. But who's actually telling you the truth? It's complicated.
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Public Health Lessons from Brazil's Alcohol Poisoning Outbreak
In early October, Brazil faced a nationwide health emergency as adulterated alcohol, primarily white spirits like vodka and cachaça, was laced with toxic methanol—an industrial chemical used to falsely boost alcohol content. Authorities suspect organized crime diluted liquor to evade taxes or...
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Food 'Addiction' Is an Unscientific Myth
Yet another junk epidemiological study claims that "ultra-processed" foods are addictive. The research is little more than a conclusion desperately in search of evidence. Let's take a look at its critical flaws.
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Unleash GMO Ticks to Spread Meat Allergies? Idiocy From The Ivory Tower
We should genetically engineer ticks and release them into the environment, so they can infect people with a meat allergy. That's a real—and thoroughly wicked—proposal from two bioethicists at Western Michigan University. Join us as we dissect possibly the dumbest idea the academy has ever produced.
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Scrolling Our Way To Stupidity? How Technology Reshapes Our Thinking
The digital revolution has radically shifted how we consume information. Reading lengthy think pieces and books has given way to limitless hours of doom scrolling and streaming. The widespread access to content enabled by internet access has many upsides, but are we really wired for our new...
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Another Autism Scare? Breaking Down the Tylenol Hype
Last month, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. launched a new wave of hysteria by announcing that Tylenol could be linked to autism. The result was a predictable partisan squabble with both sides lining up behind their preferred studies and experts. Let's put aside the...
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Is it Time to Ban Direct-to-Consumer Pharma Ads?
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s supporters are eager to rein in direct-to-consumer pharmaceutical ads, claiming they mislead Americans about important health topics. But this anti-pharma coalition faces an awkward dilemma. After pushing regulatory rollbacks at FDA last year, they're now hindered by the...
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Listener Q&A—Genetics and Heart Disease. The Problem With 'Fragmented' Medicine
Join Cameron English and Dr. Chuck Dinerstein on Episode 135 of the Science Dispatch podcast as they discuss: Genes and heart health: Is there a specific gene that increases heart-disease risk in black people? More importantly, does that knowledge improve our ability to treat individual patients?...
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How Scientific is 'Gender-Affirming Care'?
In the last four years, 27 US states have enacted bans or severe restrictions on so-called "gender-affirming care" for children—a marked increase from just one state in 2021. Some experts say the rapid shift in the legal landscape is premature because science has yet to provide a definitive…
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Drug Legalization—The Answer to Our Overdose Epidemic? Dr. Jeffrey Singer
“The stricter the law enforcement, the more dangerous the drug.” That’s how ACSH advisor and Cato Institute senior fellow Dr. Jeffrey Singer describes the iron law of prohibition, which he argues is driving America’s overdose epidemic. How do we reverse this alarming trend? Legalize all drugs.…
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Protein Powders, Caffeine Pouches and Cold Plunges. Answering TikTok's Health Questions
You asked, we answered. Join Cam English and Dr. Chuck Dinerstein on the latest episode of Science Dispatch as we tackle your questions about health and medicine. This week, we examine the risks and benefits of protein supplements, caffeine pouches and cold plunges.
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Health scares seem to lurk around every corner these days. From "toxic" pesticides to "ultra-processed" foods and BPA, the list of things that can supposedly kill us is endless. How do you spot genuine threats amid all the clickbait? Join the American Council on Science and Health each week as we separate science fact from science fiction.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does ACSH Science Dispatch have?
ACSH Science Dispatch currently has 180 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is ACSH Science Dispatch about?
Health scares seem to lurk around every corner these days. From "toxic" pesticides to "ultra-processed" foods and BPA, the list of things that can supposedly kill us is endless. How do you spot genuine threats amid all the clickbait? Join the American Council on Science and Health each week as we...
How often does ACSH Science Dispatch release new episodes?
ACSH Science Dispatch publishes regularly with 180 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to ACSH Science Dispatch?
You can listen to ACSH Science Dispatch on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts ACSH Science Dispatch?
ACSH Science Dispatch is created and hosted by ACSH.
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