A new miracle cure-all has been making the rounds on social media, promising that people who take methylene blue can improve their mood and cognition. Some TikTok videos even suggest the synthetic dye could be used to treat cancer. Joe Schwarcz, director of McGill's Office for Science and Society, explains there’s little evidence to suggest methylene blue is useful outside of very specific circumstances.

For transcripts of The Dose, please visit: lnk.to/dose-transcripts. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. For more episodes of this podcast, click this link.

U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently spoke of an autism "epidemic" when he announced "a massive testing and research effort" to investigate potential causes. But as developmental pediatrician Dr. Melanie Penner explains, the rise in diagnoses reflects broader recognition of the signs and symptoms, rather than increased prevalence. And that, she says, means more people are getting the help they need.

For transcripts of The Dose, please visit: lnk.to/dose-transcripts. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. For more episodes of this podcast, click this link.

Whole-body deodorants are the latest fad designed to mask our scent, but not everyone agrees that body odour is a bad thing. Sarah Everts, Carleton University associate professor and author of The Joy of Sweat: The Strange Science of Perspiration, explains why we smell, why we should pause before applying whole-body deodorant, and why we should chill a little when it comes to BO.

For transcripts of The Dose, please visit: lnk.to/dose-transcripts. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. For more episodes of this podcast, click this link.

Much of the federal election campaign’s focus has been on the U.S. But health care is always on the minds of Canadians. So what are the federal government’s responsibilities when it comes to health care — especially when 6.5 million Canadians don't have a family doctor or a nurse practitioner? Amélie Quesnel-Vallée explains. She's a McGill professor and Canada Research Chair in Policies and Health Inequalities.

For transcripts of The Dose, please visit: lnk.to/dose-transcripts. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. For more episodes of this podcast, click this link.

A third of Canadians have at least one tattoo, but it's not without risk. While uncommon, tattoos can cause allergies and infections. Some studies have also found an association between tattoo ink and cancer. McGill University dermatologist Dr. Elena Netchiporouk explains how tattoos can cause an allergic reaction, and could potentially increase the risk of certain cancers, though more research is needed.

For transcripts of The Dose, please visit: lnk.to/dose-transcripts. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. For more episodes of this podcast, click this link.

Nearly half of Canadians have experienced increased anxiety over the last month, according to a new survey from Mental Health Research Canada. Top reasons are the rising cost of living and political uncertainty in the U.S. University of Toronto Scarborough distinguished professor of psychology Zindel Segal explains why we tune into negative news and how we can manage stress brought on by uncontrollable situations.

For transcripts of The Dose, please visit: lnk.to/dose-transcripts. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. For more episodes of this podcast, click this link.

It’s a stressful world out there. And one way some people quiet it down is taking medications like Lorazepam, Xanax, or Valium. They're called Benzodiazepines and their use and misuse has become a plotline in the popular TV series The White Lotus and The Pitt. University of British Columbia's clinical assistant professor and addictions medicine specialist Dr. Paxton Bach explains the benefits and risks of taking benzos.

For transcripts of The Dose, please visit: lnk.to/dose-transcripts. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. For more episodes of this podcast, click this link.

Hair loss, also known as alopecia, affects roughly 40 per cent of women by the age of 50, and some research suggests the number increases post-menopause. Toronto dermatologist Dr. Renee A. Beach explains why many women experience alopecia, and offers advice on how to slow down hair loss.

For transcripts of The Dose, please visit: lnk.to/dose-transcripts. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. For more episodes of this podcast, click this link.