TED Health
TED
300 episodes
What does exercise do to your brain? Can psychedelics treat depression? From smart daily habits to new medical breakthroughs, welcome to TED Health, with host Dr. Shoshana Ungerleider. TED speakers answer questions you never even knew you had, and share ideas you won't hear anywhere else, all around how we can live healthier lives.
More about the show
Follow Dr. Shoshana Ungerleider on Instagram at @shoshanamd and LinkedIn at @shoshanaungerleidermd
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Episodes page 4 of 6
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How aerosols brighten clouds — and cool the planet | Sarah J. Doherty
Here's a conundrum: the same aerosol pollutants that harm human health also help cool the climate, says atmospheric scientist Sarah J. Doherty. Is there a way to clean up the air without warming the planet? Exploring…
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Food expiration dates don't mean what you think | Carolyn Beans
Countries around the world waste huge amounts of food every year: roughly a fifth of food items in the US are tossed because consumers aren't sure how to interpret expiration labels. But most groceries are still…
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The miracle of organ donation — and a breakthrough for the future | Abbas Ardehali
Organ transplants save lives, but they come with challenges: every minute a healthy donated organ is on ice increases risk. And even if things go perfectly, rejection of the organ is still possible. Cardiothoracic…
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The vital data you flush down the toilet | Newsha Ghaeli
"Everybody pees and poops — and we know that urine and stool contain a rich source of information on our health," says data detective Newsha Ghaeli. Exploring the growing field of wastewater epidemiology, she shows how…
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Why is it so hard to cure the common cold? | George Zaidan
On average, adults catch more than 150 colds throughout their lives. Even with similar symptoms, the cause could be different each time. Common colds are caused by at least 8 different families of virus, each of which…
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What happens to sex in midlife? A look at the "bedroom gap" | Maria E. Sophocles
Menopause isn't just hot flashes, says gynecologist and sexual medicine specialist Maria Sophocles. It's often accompanied by overlooked symptoms like painful sex or loss of libido. Shedding light on what she calls the…
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How to make smart decisions more easily | Alexandra Panzer
Everything our bodies do— whether physical or mental— uses energy. Studies have found that many individuals seem to have a daily threshold for making decisions, and an extended period of decision-making can lead to…
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The science of laughter | Sasha Winkler
Isn’t it odd that, when something’s funny, you might show your teeth, change your breathing, become weak and achy in some places, and maybe even cry? In other words, why do we do this bizarre thing that is laughter?…
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What if a simple blood test could detect cancer? | Hani Goodarzi
Catching cancer at its earliest stages saves lives. But in a body made up of trillions of cells, how do you spot a small group of rogue cancer cells? Biomedical researcher Hani Goodarzi discusses his lab's discovery of…
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The diseases that changed humanity forever | Dan Kwartler
Since humanity’s earliest days, we’ve been plagued by countless disease-causing pathogens. Invisible and persistent, these microorganisms and the illnesses they incur have killed more humans than anything else in…
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A campaign for period positivity | Ananya Grover
Having your period is exhausting — and for many people across the world, menstruation is even more challenging because of stigmas and difficulty getting basic hygiene supplies, says social activist Ananya Grover. In…
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Do gut microbes control your personality? | Kathleen McAuliffe
Biologist Kathleen McAuliffe dives into emerging research that explores how certain gut bacteria can influence major parts of who you are, from your personality to life-changing neurological disorders. Learn more about…
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How to hack your brain when you're in pain | Amy Baxter
Have we misunderstood pain? This week we’re revisiting a talk by researcher and physician Amy Baxter as she unravels the symphony of connections that send pain from your body to your brain, explaining practical…
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What happens as we die? | Kathryn Mannix
Have we lost the practical wisdom of what happens as people die? With lessons from a career witnessing thousands of people's final breaths, palliative care expert Kathryn Mannix urges us to demystify the experience of…
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Is alternative meat the recipe for a healthier planet? | Tao Zhang
A Chinese saying goes, "There's no pleasure in eating without meat." And the data backs that up: every year, China consumes 26 percent of the world's meat and 45 percent of its seafood — numbers that could grow…
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What happens when we deny people abortions? | Diana Greene Foster
How does getting an abortion — or not — influence a woman's life? Demographer Diana Greene Foster puts forward the results of The Turnaway Study, her landmark work following nearly 1,000 women through abortion or…
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My mission to change the narrative of mental health | Glenn Close
Legendary actor and mental health advocate Glenn Close is on a quest to change how we think about mental health, starting with her decision to speak out about her own family's struggles — a brave choice considering the…
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Why you shouldn't trust boredom | Kevin H. Gary
Are you actually bored, or is something else going on? Educator Kevin H. Gary shares three practical takeaways to deal with the doldrums, so you can take control of your attention, figure out which feelings to trust…
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Racism has a cost for everyone | Heather C. McGhee
Racism makes our economy worse — and not just in ways that harm people of color, says public policy expert Heather C. McGhee. From her research and travels across the US, McGhee shares startling insights into how…
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The science behind how sickness shapes your mood | Keely Muscatell
Your immune system is more socially aware than you think, says social neuroscientist and psychology professor Keely Muscatell. Investigating the interconnectedness of your mood and your inflammatory system, she offers…
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Are you really as good at something as you think? | Robin Kramer
Does confidence equal competence? Not quite. In a talk that will make you better aware of yourself, experimental psychologist Robin Kramer delves into the Dunning-Kruger effect — which argues that those who are least…
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Which is better for you: "Real" meat or "fake" meat? | Carolyn Beans
In 2021, a survey of over 1,000 Americans found that nearly two-thirds had eaten plant-based meat alternatives in the past year. Many cited potential health and environmental benefits as their motivation. But are these…
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The truth about human population decline | Jennifer D. Sciubba
With birth rates falling, the worldwide human population is getting older and smaller. According to traditional thinking, this spells a future of labor shortages, bankrupt social security systems and overall economic…
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Why I gave my teenage daughter a vibrator | Robin Buckley
"Why does a vibrator make us uncomfortable, but Viagra does not?" asks cognitive-behavioral coach Robin Buckley. Sharing her own personal story of empowering her teenage daughter to explore the power of pleasure,…
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So much sitting, looking at screens. Can we combat our sedentary lives? | Body Electric
This is an episode we think you might enjoy of Body Electric. TED Radio Hour host Manoush Zomorodi investigates the relationship between our technology and our bodies and asks: How are we physically adapting to meet…
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Artificial skin? We made it — here's why | Anna Maria Coclite
Material scientist Anna Maria Coclite unveils "smart skin" — artificial skin technology that responds to touch, temperature and humidity like your very own. (It's actually even more sensitive than human skin!) From…
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Why you feel anxious socializing (and what to do about it) | Fallon Goodman
In crowds, at meetings, get-togethers with friends, everyday interactions: social anxiety can show up as an unwelcome guest at any time. But why? Psychologist Fallon Goodman digs into the source of social anxiety,…
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The secret to a happy life — lessons from 8 decades of research | Robert Waldinger
The happiest and healthiest people are those who have an abundance of warm connections with others, says psychiatrist Robert Waldinger, who leads the Harvard Study of Adult Development — one of the longest-running…
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Are life-saving medicines hiding in the world's coldest places? | Normand Voyer
Could the next wonder drug be somewhere in Canada's snowy north? Take a trip to this beautiful, frigid landscape as chemist Normand Voyer explores the mysterious molecular treasures found in plants thriving in the…
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CRISPR's next advance is bigger than you think | Jennifer Doudna
You've probably heard of CRISPR, the revolutionary technology that allows us to edit the DNA in living organisms. Biochemist and 2023 Audacious Project grantee Jennifer Doudna earned the Nobel Prize for her…
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What did people do before anesthesia? | Sally Frampton
The quest for anesthetics that could induce unconsciousness and enable more meticulous surgeries began around the early 3rd century CE. Before anesthesia was widely used, patients had to consciously endure every moment…
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A flavorful field guide to foraging | Alexis Nikole Nelson
Whether it's dandelions blooming in your backyard or purslane sprouting from the sidewalk, forager Alexis Nikole Nelson is on a mission to show how freely growing flora could make its way to your plate. With contagious…
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The single most important parenting strategy | Becky Kennedy
Everyone loses their temper from time to time — but the stakes are dizzyingly high when the focus of your fury is your own child. Clinical psychologist and renowned parenting whisperer Becky Kennedy is here to help.…
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The world's rarest diseases — and how they impact everyone | Anna Greka
Physician-scientist Anna Greka investigates the world's rarest genetic diseases, decoding the secrets of our cells through "molecular detective work." She explains how her team is using new, advanced technology to…
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Can you change your sleep schedule? | Alexandra Panzer
An early bird rises with the sun, springing out of bed abuzz with energy. Meanwhile, a night owl groggily rises much later, not hitting their stride until late in the day. How many people are truly night owls or early…
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How to hack your brain when you're in pain | Amy Baxter
Have we misunderstood pain? Researcher and physician Amy Baxter unravels the symphony of connections that send pain from your body to your brain, explaining practical neuroscience hacks to quickly block those signals.…
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How targeted ads might just save your life | Sandersan Onie
Could the tech industry's complex algorithms support people during their darkest times, rather than just deliver targeted ads? Drawing from his own experience with depression, global mental health researcher Sandersan…
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Blindness isn't a tragic binary — it's a rich spectrum | Andrew Leland
When does vision loss become blindness? Writer, audio producer and editor Andrew Leland explains how his gradual loss of vision revealed a paradoxical truth about blindness — and shows why it might have implications…
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How to calm your anxiety, from a neuroscientist | Wendy Suzuki
What if you could transform your anxiety into something you can actually use during your work day? Neuroscientist Wendy Suzuki shares two evidence-based activities — breathing and movement — that can soothe your…
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The epidemics that almost happened | George Zaidan
In 2013, an Ebola outbreak began in Guinea. The country had no formal response system and the outbreak became the largest Ebola epidemic in recorded history. Guinea then completely overhauled their response system, and…
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Introducing Body Electric
We’ve got a special 6-part series with an interactive twist coming your way: On Body Electric, TED Radio Hour host Manoush Zomorodi investigates the relationship between our bodies and our technology…and she has a…
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Sex education should start with consent | Kaz
Consent can be a tricky topic to talk about in sex education curriculums, but it doesn't have to be. This week, we're revisiting a hilarious and relatable talk where sex educator and TED Fellow Kaz offers a fresh look…
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Why is it so hard to get effective birth control in the US? | Mark Edwards
Nearly half of all pregnancies in the United States are unplanned, the result of millions of people being unable to get the birth control method that works best for them. Reproductive health advocate and 2023 Audacious…
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Your right to mental privacy in the age of brain-sensing tech | Nita Farahany
Neurotechnology, or devices that let you track your own brain activity, could help you deeply understand your health. But without privacy protections, your innermost thoughts, emotions and desires could be at risk of…
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The tragedy of air pollution -- and an urgent demand for clean air | Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debrah
"Breathing clean air is every child's human right," says grassroots campaigner Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debrah, while sharing the heartbreaking story of her seven-year-old daughter, Ella Roberta, whose asthma was triggered…
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Why do we have crooked teeth when our ancestors didn't? | G. Richard Scott
According to the fossil record, ancient humans usually had straight teeth, complete with wisdom teeth. In fact, the dental dilemmas that fuel the demand for braces and wisdom teeth extractions today appear to be recent…
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Why thinking about death helps you live a better life | Alua Arthur
As a death doula, or someone who supports dying people and their loved ones, Alua Arthur spends a lot of time thinking about the end of life. In a profound talk that examines our brief, perfectly human time on this…
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Why having fun is the secret to a healthier life | Catherine Price
Have you had your daily dose of fun? It's not just enjoyable, it's also essential for your health and happiness, says science journalist Catherine Price. She proposes a new definition of fun -- what she calls "true…
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Is someone you love suffering in silence? Here's what to do | Gus Worland
Lots of people talk about the need to be physically fit, but mentally fit? Not as much. In a powerful talk, mental health advocate Gus Worland shares how an experience of deep grief from his own life sparked his…
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The Internet's First Main Character? | The Redemption of Jar Jar Binks
What if the most exciting achievement in your career also created a cultural phenomenon that pushed your mental health to the brim? In this new podcast from the TED Audio Collective, host Dylan Marron explores the…
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