415 episodes

Do you ever wonder what makes us tick? The way we act, feel and even process information from the world around us? All of it starts with the brain. CNN's Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta is tapping his decades of experience as a neurosurgeon to explore the many states of the brain – distracted, nourished, concussed, frightened and more. Our brains are in constant conversation with our bodies, so the condition of one can have direct effect on the other. Sanjay will provide insights into how to actually build a stronger brain and keep it sharp.

Chasing Life CNN

    • Health & Fitness
    • 4.5 • 7.2K Ratings

Do you ever wonder what makes us tick? The way we act, feel and even process information from the world around us? All of it starts with the brain. CNN's Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta is tapping his decades of experience as a neurosurgeon to explore the many states of the brain – distracted, nourished, concussed, frightened and more. Our brains are in constant conversation with our bodies, so the condition of one can have direct effect on the other. Sanjay will provide insights into how to actually build a stronger brain and keep it sharp.

    Michael Pollan Spills the Beans on the Caffeinated Brain

    Michael Pollan Spills the Beans on the Caffeinated Brain

    Are you someone who needs a cup of coffee or spot of tea to start the day? Would you be surprised to hear that the key ingredient, the thing that gives you that morning boost - caffeine - is also a psychoactive drug? Whether it’s coffee, tea or soda, people around the world consume some form of caffeine every day. Even kids! But what is it actually doing to our brains? What causes that jolt of energy in the morning, and what are the drawbacks? On this episode of Chasing Life, Dr. Sanjay Gupta talks to science writer Michael Pollan about his research, the history of caffeine – and quitting cold turkey.
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    • 29 min
    The Rested Brain

    The Rested Brain

    From work responsibilities to social engagements to family commitments, our days are jam-packed, and it can be tough to give your brain a break. Rest is an important ingredient for good health, but do you really understand why? On this episode of Chasing Life, Professor Victoria Garfield, who studies sleep and how it impacts our brains and our bodies as we get older, explains what it is about rest that is so good for our brains. Why it’s so important to take time to relax and what surprising new research tells us about the simple act of napping.
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    • 33 min
    The Distracted Brain

    The Distracted Brain

    If you have trouble focusing on books, work, or even TV shows, you’re not alone. The fact is our attention spans are getting shorter. And it can feel like our ability to perform and be productive is harder. But is a shorter attention span actually impacting our brain function and overall health? Does it really help to block distractions like social media? In our first episode of an all new season, Sanjay speaks to Gloria Mark, a professor of informatics at the University of California, Irvine, and author of “Attention Span: A Groundbreaking Way to Restore Balance, Happiness and Productivity.” She’ll tell us what’s actually going on in the brain when we’re attentive and why we’re less focused than we used to be. Professor Mark will also share tips for sharpening our attention spans that go beyond “just put down your phone.”
    To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy

    • 33 min
    Chasing Life with the Gupta Family

    Chasing Life with the Gupta Family

    Over the last year on the podcast Sanjay has been having some very candid conversations with his family. On this special episode of Chasing Life, we revisit conversations with his wife, Rebecca and daughters, Soleil, Sage and Sky about smartphones, social media and their impact on young people. Sanjay also speaks with his brother, Suneel and parents, Damyanti and Subhash, about the myth of the midlife crisis and the ways that we approach life as we age.
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    • 34 min
    Sanjay Investigates “Weed 7: A Senior Moment" Pt. 2

    Sanjay Investigates “Weed 7: A Senior Moment" Pt. 2

    Dr. Sanjay Gupta examines the potential benefits of medical marijuana. Over the last 10 years, Dr. Gupta's reporting on the topic has produced seven CNN documentaries. In his most recent investigation, he meets scientists and families who found success using marijuana for patients suffering with dementia. This special report originally aired on CNN on August 6, 2023.
    To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy

    • 20 min
    Sanjay Investigates “Weed 7: A Senior Moment” Pt. 1

    Sanjay Investigates “Weed 7: A Senior Moment” Pt. 1

    Chasing Life is taking a short break and will be back with new episodes next month. This week, we are sharing Dr. Gupta’s most recent documentary examining the potential benefits of medical marijuana. His investigation explores the fastest growing group of cannabis users, people who are 65 and older. This special report originally aired on CNN on August 6, 2023.
    To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy

    • 26 min

Customer Reviews

4.5 out of 5
7.2K Ratings

7.2K Ratings

AMomtoFour ,

Social Media Use and Teens

I really enjoyed this series and listened to much of it with my own teens. My 16-year old got his first phone this year and we still do not allow social media. In the 8 months that he has had it his IRL hobbies have drastically reduced. He has also struggled with anxiety and depression. When I look at the teen suicide rate and how it has jumped since the inception of the smart phone I do have wonder about the correlation and the lack of action by our government and corporations. During covid around 1600 children under the age of 17 died but teen suicide rates take 6000 children a year, a number that has doubled since the smart phone. Our entire country went on lock down for Covid but smartphones are handed out to children in elementary grades. I just don’t get it… I know causation does not always equal correlation but I do wonder why it is treated so lightly by parents and is allowed to go unchecked.

dgrube5932 ,

Focus

I can’t multitask, which means I’m not focused on any one thing mistakes are made, but
It’s too bad it took so long to realize. I’m smarter than I thought, it could have been put to good use. My mind has a mind of its own.
Thank you Darcy

LDW2 ,

Love this podcast…

This is a wonderful podcast - thank you for exploring and sharing such intriguing content!

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