Podcasts · Health & Fitness

The Dose

CBC

299 episodes

A weekly look at the health news that matters to you. Dr. Brian Goldman brings you the best science from top experts in plain language. He cuts through the BS and confusion to give you a dose of smart advice that you won’t find anywhere else. New episodes every Thursday.

Episodes page 1 of 6

  1. Can AI tell me if I have breast cancer?

    · 25 min

    AI-assisted mammograms are already a thing. They use deep learning to help detect breast cancer and, in some cases, predict your risk of getting it. Given that breast cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death…

  2. Flu season's early! What should I do about it?

    · 24 min

    Look out Canada, flu season is here early! As influenza cases rise across the country, experts warn it's still too soon to say how bad this season will be. Alberta infectious diseases specialist Dr. Lynora Saxinger…

  3. What should people who’ve never smoked know about lung cancer?

    · 24 min

    Lung cancer is the deadliest cancer in Canada, and a growing number of never-smokers are getting diagnosed. Dr. Nicole Ezer, director of McGill University Health Centre's lung cancer screening centre, explains why this…

  4. Why 'fibremaxxing' actually makes sense

    · 23 min

    Finally, a social media "maxxing" trend that gets it right! Most people don't eat nearly enough fibre, according to dietitian and nutritionist Nishta Saxena. She says it's easy to increase your fibre intake and with…

  5. Cancer blood tests: How accurate are they?

    · 23 min

    An estimated 240 Canadians die from cancer every day. Now, a growing number of companies are offering cancer-detecting blood tests. Some claim they can detect signs of more than 50 types of cancer. Princess Margaret…

  6. I want to try sports betting apps. How can I stay out of trouble?

    · 24 min

    Sports betting ads promise big payouts and quick cash. But new research shows gambling-related ER visits nearly doubled in Ontario after online betting expanded, raising concerns about a larger public health issue.…

  7. Would you take a drug that could prevent Alzheimer's?

    · 23 min

    More than 750,000 Canadians live with dementia, including Alzheimer’s. Many more, like host Dr. Brian Goldman, worry they could develop it. Now, U.K. researchers are testing whether the drug trontinemab could prevent…

  8. Psychiatric labels — why some people want one!

    · 20 min

    Social media is filled with people discussing their mental health symptoms, often encouraging others to consider getting a diagnostic label as well. Dr. Gail Beck, a child psychiatrist at the Royal Ottawa Mental Health…

  9. The Dose Summer Special 2026: Beyond the Hype

    · 48 min

    The Dose is currently on a summer break, but we wanted to feature some of our favourite shows while we’re away. This week, we've put together two episodes where we explore the science behind two popular wellness…

  10. The Dose Summer Special 2026: Figuring Out Food

    · 52 min

    This week, we’re revisiting two episodes that tackle big questions about weight management and nutrition: How healthy is eating one meal a day? And, how should you adapt your diet while taking GLP-1 drugs? We explore…

  11. How might a social media ban affect my child's mental health?

    · 26 min

    Canada's Bill C-34 aims to restrict social media access for people under the age of 16. Supporters say it could help reduce rising rates of depression, anxiety and social isolation. But Dr. Shimi Kang, a psychiatrist…

  12. How can I stay healthy during the 2026 FIFA World Cup?

    · 26 min

    Hundreds of thousands of visitors are expected in Toronto and Vancouver for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but what does that mean for public health? Dr. Michelle Murti, medical officer of health for Toronto Public Health,…

  13. What do I need to know about the Ebola virus?

    · 25 min

    An Ebola outbreak coursing through the Democratic Republic of Congo has experts worried it might rival the worst outbreak in history. Dr. Joanne Liu was president of Doctors Without Borders during that deadly 2014…

  14. What are the latest tick-borne diseases in Canada?

    · 28 min

    As ticks and tick-borne diseases rise across Canada due to warmer weather, experts are warning about two invasive species: the lone star and Asian longhorned ticks. Entomologist Jade Savage, creator and director of the…

  15. Should I be worried about my red eyes?

    · 26 min

    From seasonal allergies to infections, red eyes can have many causes. University of Calgary ophthalmologist Dr. Helen Chung talks about what’s behind eye redness, when drops can help, and when it’s time to see a…

  16. Why do I need to know about Legionnaires' disease?

    · 23 min

    Toronto and Hamilton are experiencing outbreaks of Legionnaires' disease, a serious type of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria. Infectious diseases physician Dr. Isaac Bogoch says it spreads through natural, as…

  17. What do I need to know about hantavirus?

    · 25 min

    Three people have died after a hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship, and several others are seriously ill. While hantaviruses are typically carried by rodents and rarely infect humans, health officials are…

  18. What should I know about ibogaine?

    · 24 min

    Psychedelics are a hot topic, and a drug called ibogaine is receiving attention after a recent shoutout from U.S. President Donald Trump. University of Calgary psychedelics researcher Leah Mayo explains what ibogaine…

  19. What can erectile dysfunction say about men’s health?

    · 26 min

    Erectile dysfunction is commonly thought of as a sexual health issue, but experts say the condition can reveal a lot about men's health. Dr. Dean Elterman, a urologist at the University Health Network in Toronto, says…

  20. What can a full-body MRI actually tell me about my health?

    · 25 min

    Some private clinics in Canada are offering whole-body MRIs that can run thousands of dollars. They claim these scans can detect a range of issues, and can find cancers in the early stages. Dr. Iain Kirkpatrick, the…

  21. Why are young women more likely to tear their ACL and what can they do about it?

    · 25 min

    Young female athletes are considerably more likely to tear their anterior cruciate ligaments, or ACLs, than young men. Dr. Marie-Lyne Nault is an orthopedic surgeon and researcher specializing in pediatric sports…

  22. What do I need to know about meningococcal disease?

    · 25 min

    Meningococcal disease is a rare but potentially lethal bacterial infection. Two young people died in a recent outbreak in the U.K. Infectious diseases specialist Dr. Isaac Bogoch explains what you need to know about…

  23. What do we know so far about psilocybin as a medical treatment?

    · 24 min

    Psilocybin, the active compound in magic mushrooms, shows promise for treating depression and other mental health conditions. Dr. Joshua Rosenblat, a psychiatrist and researcher at the Krembil Brain Institute at UHN,…

  24. What's the real evidence on injectable peptides?

    · 23 min

    Wellness influencers on social media are touting injectable peptides as a new wonder drug, claiming compounds like BPC-157 can improve muscle strength, boost recovery times and even increase longevity. But University…

  25. How should I tailor my diet while taking GLP-1 drugs?

    · 25 min

    A recent survey found roughly three million Canadians are taking GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Mounjaro. The drugs can reduce appetite and cravings, and could also affect the body’s fat and muscle stores. Jennifer…

  26. What's the latest stem cell research?

    · 28 min

    Researchers in Canada and around the world are exploring ways stem cells could help treat conditions like diabetes, Parkinson's and heart disease, but the hype sometimes outpaces the science. Neurosurgeon and…

  27. What should people who’ve never smoked know about lung cancer?

    · 24 min

    Lung cancer is the deadliest cancer in Canada, and a growing number of never-smokers are getting diagnosed. Dr. Nicole Ezer, director of McGill University Health Centre's lung cancer screening centre, explains why this…

  28. How healthy is eating one meal a day?

    · 27 min

    The One Meal a Day Diet, or OMAD, is a more extreme version of intermittent fasting that's been gaining in popularity. Its proponents say it can help people lose weight by eating a day’s worth of calories in a single…

  29. What can heat therapy actually do for my health?

    · 26 min

    Heat therapy is an age-old remedy that’s been growing in popularity. Whether it’s hot springs, hot tubs, saunas, or steam rooms, there are plenty of claims about how heat therapy can improve your health — but what does…

  30. What’s new in menopause treatments?

    · 28 min

    With more than 30 symptoms of menopause, it can be difficult to decide which treatments work best. Menopause specialist ob-gyn Dr. Kelsey Mills explains why hormone therapy is the gold standard, how new non-hormonal…

  31. What's the skinny on whole milk?

    · 22 min

    For decades, dietary guidelines have recommended low-fat milk to lower the risk of heart disease. But the U.S. recently updated its guidance, saying whole milk can be part of a healthy diet, while Canada still…

  32. How could taking Aspirin every day benefit or harm my health?

    · 22 min

    For years, doctors have recommended taking Aspirin every day to help prevent heart attacks and stroke. Cardiologist Dr. Sonia Anand says that advice is still correct, but it only applies to certain patients. She…

  33. Which childhood vaccines do doctors recommend universally?

    · 23 min

    The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has updated its childhood vaccination schedule, cutting back the number of immunizations from 17 to 11. Infectious-diseases specialist Dr. Caroline Quach-Thanh says…

  34. What is scromiting and how can I avoid it?

    · 19 min

    Scromiting is a term popping up on social media that combines screaming and vomiting. It refers to cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, a painful condition that can affect long-term cannabis users. Dr. Kirk Magee, an…

  35. What do we need to know about burnout?

    · 23 min

    If you're dragging yourself into the office every day, you might be tired — or you might be experiencing burnout. Michael Leiter, professor emeritus of psychology at Acadia University and co-author of The Burnout…

  36. When should infants (and other people) get vaccinated for hepatitis B?

    · 25 min

    A U.S. federal vaccine advisory panel has voted to drop its long-standing recommendation for universal hepatitis B vaccination at birth. In Canada, most infants don’t receive the vaccine until two months of age, with…

  37. What does the evidence tell us about the shingles vaccine and dementia?

    · 23 min

    Researchers say a shingles vaccine could slow the progression of dementia and lower the risk of dying from it. Earlier this year, they produced the strongest evidence yet that the vaccine might reduce the risk of…

  38. What’s the latest on this year’s flu season?

    · 18 min

    A new variant of H3N2 may mean a more severe flu season in Canada, and this year's flu vaccine may not be quite as effective against it. Dr. Stephanie Smith, an infectious diseases specialist at the University of…

  39. How long should I stay on antidepressants?

    · 16 min

    Canadians are some of the biggest users of antidepressants in the world, yet many people taking them aren’t sure when, or whether, they can safely stop. Dr. Ishrat Husain, head of the Mood Disorders Service at the…

  40. What do I need to know about in-flight medical emergencies?

    · 28 min

    With roughly five billion people flying each year, in-flight medical emergencies happen more often than you’d think. One recent study found they occur about once every 212 flights. Dr. Vincent Poirier is an emergency…

  41. What should parents know about e-scooter injuries in children?

    · 20 min

    E-scooter injuries are on the rise in Canada, including in children. According to the Canadian Institute for Health Information, between 2022 and 2024, hospitalizations involving e-scooters for kids between five and 17…

  42. What is lecanemab and how does it slow down Alzheimer's disease?

    · 26 min

    A new Health Canada-approved drug called lecanemab has been shown to slow early-stage Alzheimer's disease. Neurologist Dr. Sharon Cohen, who participated in phase three trials for the drug, explains why lecanemab is…

  43. Why does the time change mess with my sleep, and what can I do about it?

    · 24 min

    Most Canadians reset their clocks twice a year. We spring forward, fall back and experts say that messes with our body's internal clocks. Rébecca Robillard, University of Ottawa associate professor and co-chair of the…

  44. What's the harm in eating ultra-processed foods and what can I do about it?

    · 22 min

    An estimated one third of Canadian adults are obese, and ultra-processed foods are a major culprit. Leading nutrition scientist Kevin Hall recently co-wrote a new book on how foods nourish and harm us. He says…

  45. What do I need to know about IV hydration and vitamin therapy?

    · 22 min

    Some wellness clinics in Canada are promoting IV vitamin and hydration therapy as a way to ease hangovers, migraines, and even prevent illness and inflammation. But Bernie Garrett, UBC associate professor and author of…

  46. How can we protect ourselves from fall and winter respiratory viruses?

    · 25 min

    It’s respiratory virus season again, and experts say to look out for the flu, COVID-19 and RSV. Infectious diseases specialist Dr. Allison McGeer explains what the data shows about how severe this year might be, as…

  47. What does the evidence tell us about Tylenol, leucovorin, and autism?

    · 27 min

    The Trump administration has claimed Tylenol in pregnancy causes autism, despite no conclusive evidence, and promoted the drug leucovorin as a potential treatment for autism symptoms. Pediatric neurologist Dr. Evdokia…

  48. What might testosterone replacement therapy mean for me?

    · 25 min

    The internet is full of hype for products claiming to boost mood, reduce fatigue, and enhance sexual performance—including testosterone supplements. Low testosterone can affect both men and women, but OB/GYN Dr. George…

  49. How can I reduce my risk of computer vision syndrome?

    · 23 min

    An estimated 70 per cent of people have experienced computer vision syndrome (CVS), or digital eye strain. It's a condition caused by staring at a digital screen that's too close for too long and can lead to headaches,…

  50. What does the latest research say about the benefits of GLP-1 drugs?

    · 25 min

    GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic are proven effective for type 2 diabetes and weight management. Researchers are now exploring their potential to reduce heart, kidney, liver, and even Alzheimer’s disease risks. But experts,…

Shows are listed from Apple Podcasts' charts and directory, and Podcast Index where it is used. Every show and episode belongs to its publisher and plays from the publisher's own feed; this site hosts none of them. Explicit shows are for adult profiles only, and children’s profiles hear only children’s shows. More about this list.