Through A Scientist's Eyes

Chris Wynder

How does "science" get done? What does that word mean? For the average person how do we trust vaccines, drugs and public health? As a scientist I spend a lot of time obsessing about how do explain to friends what "the science" means.

  1. What you need to know about Vaccines

    2025-08-15

    What you need to know about Vaccines

    Vaccines are incredibly effective- maybe one of the most effective medicines that science has ever created. Listen to understand what you need to know about how to make the right decisions for you and your family. Disclosure: This episode was made using AI to generate the podcast hosts. All other steps; gather the information, reviewing information for accuracy, reviewing the script and post-production were performed by a scientist. Vaccines offer profound health and economic benefits for individuals and communities. Globally, vaccines have saved an estimated 150 million children over the last 50 years, notably reducing infant mortality by 40%. Measles vaccination alone averted over 60 million deaths from 2000-2023. For young adults, staying current with immunizations is vital for maintaining personal health and independence, preventing dangerous diseases and their severe complications like brain damage or death. Vaccination also protects vulnerable individuals who cannot be immunized, fostering community immunity.Economically, routine childhood immunizations in the U.S. for those born 1994-2023 are projected to prevent 508 million illnesses and 1.1 million deaths, leading to net societal savings of $2.7 trillion—an estimated $11 saved for every $1 invested. Beyond direct prevention, vaccines contribute to improved cognition and school attainment, enhancing long-term economic productivity. Emerging evidence also suggests certain vaccines, like the shingles vaccine, may reduce dementia risk.

    18 min
  2. What You Need To know about Weed

    2025-07-01

    What You Need To know about Weed

    Welcome back to the podcast. Episode 1 of this seasom starts a new educational series "What You Need to Know" IMPORTANT DISCLOSURE: This episode has AI generate hosts. We felt that the back and forth was a better way to create a conversations that feel real to listeners. We want to be very clear that all evidence and information used to curate the script was exclusively from published, peer-reviewed sources. All 12 sources were each reviewed and the podcast itself was then reviewed for accuracy. More about Medical Marijuana: We are tackling one of the fastest growing over the counter medicines in North America; Cannabis AKA Weed, Bud- just to name a few names. The new "TASE" website will be dedicated to educational resources that are based on the medical communities insight to help all of use make good decisions. Learn more here: Through A Scientist's Eyes- Learn About Science page For our Youtube page we have a related video that delves into Cannabis from another angle. What Should You Do Before Using? If you're thinking about trying cannabis for health reasons, here are some smart steps: Talk to Your Doctor: This is the most important step! Your doctor can review your health history, discuss other treatment options, and help you understand how cannabis might interact with any medicines you're already taking."Go Low and Slow": If you decide to try it, start with a very small dose. Slowly increase it over time until you find what helps your symptoms with the fewest side effects. This helps your body get used to it.Keep a Diary: Write down how much you take, when, and how it affects your symptoms and any side effects. If it's not helping after a few weeks, it might not be the right choice for you.Get Reliable Information: Don't just rely on what you hear from friends or see online. Look for trusted, science-backed sources. Cannabis and its parts (THC and CBD) might offer some relief for certain conditions, especially pain, MS spasms, and some cancer-related symptoms. However, it's really important to be careful. The effects can vary, there are potential side effects and drug interactions, and the products aren't always regulated. BOTTOM LINE: Always talk to a healthcare professional before you start using cannabis for any health reason. They can help you make an informed decision that's best for your health.

    22 min

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How does "science" get done? What does that word mean? For the average person how do we trust vaccines, drugs and public health? As a scientist I spend a lot of time obsessing about how do explain to friends what "the science" means.