497 episodes

Join Dr. Sydnee McElroy and her husband Justin McElroy for a tour of all the dumb, bad, gross, weird and wrong ways we've tried to fix people.

Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine Maximum Fun

    • Comedy
    • 4.8 • 98 Ratings

Join Dr. Sydnee McElroy and her husband Justin McElroy for a tour of all the dumb, bad, gross, weird and wrong ways we've tried to fix people.

    Sawbones: Vampire Facials

    Sawbones: Vampire Facials

    You may have seen some celebrities or influencers on social media getting something called a Vampire Facial. It's exactly what it sounds like: blood spread on the face like a cream mask. But why would anyone do this unless it's supposed to do something for the skin? Dr. Sydnee and Justin draw out where this trend came from and its questionable benefits.

    Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/

    • 38 min
    Sawbones: CPR

    Sawbones: CPR

    Squishing someone’s heart and blowing air into them to bring them back to life seems so basic, so why weren’t we able to agree on it for the past few hundred years? This week on Sawbones, Dr. Sydnee gives an overview of the evolution of CPR which, despite what movies and TV would have you believe, isn’t quite an infinite cheat code for avoiding death.

    Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/

    • 41 min
    Sawbones: Lazarus Syndrome

    Sawbones: Lazarus Syndrome

    What if someone was declared dead . . . only for their heart to start beating again? This is a phenomenon sometimes called "Lazarus Syndrome" or "auto resuscitation after failed pulmonary resuscitation". Dr. Sydnee and Justin discuss the outline of exactly what needs to occur, some possible reasons this might happen, and a few wild examples.

    Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/

    • 39 min
    Sawbones: Sea Moss

    Sawbones: Sea Moss

    Another day, another fad superfood on social media! Sea moss, or carrageenan or Irish moss, has historically been used for ulcers and sore throats, but does it actually have any proven medical use? Well, no, but it’s probably a good vegan substitute for gelatin.

    Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/

    • 40 min
    Sawbones: Interpreting Research

    Sawbones: Interpreting Research

    With so much medical research out there on internet, how can you sort through what's based in science and what's just three people in a room? Dr. Sydnee discusses the all the different factors to think about when deciding how much weight to give any article or study. There's a lot!

    Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/

    • 41 min
    Sawbones: Gamer Pills

    Sawbones: Gamer Pills

    If you want to Get Good at video games quickly, are there any magic pills you can take? Well, there are people trying to sell them to you. Justin and Dr. Sydnee look at some supplements that claim to give gamers better focus and more energy, none of which are doctor-approved.

    Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/

    • 51 min

Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5
98 Ratings

98 Ratings

t3mporal ,

Spoon full of sugar...

Dear Justin, master podcaster, Co-author of a book on that subject…please stop mumbling? Large variations in speaking volume do not suit loud environments, or very quiet listening.

Sherbert42 ,

Superb balance between medical information and . . . Justin.

A great, informative, hilariously enjoyable journey through the history of medicine. Dr. Sydnee is very patient with Justin, but the balance between the medical information and Justin's jokes (usually Justin's, sometimes Sydnee as well) make the macabre or slightly gruesome topics hilarious. A deeply excellent show.

MelinaLMurbane ,

Outstanding programme

Informative and funny, sometimes serious, but always leaves me feeling a little more knowledgeable and a little less afraid to visit the doctor!

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