Home Podcasts Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine
Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine

Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine

Justin McElroy, Dr. Sydnee McElroy 584 episodes Latest Jun 2, 2026

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.

Episodes

Sawbones: Kratom Jun 2, 2026 00:41:42 Maybe you've heard of kratom, a substance being sold as a 'natural' energy substance. With its alarmingly growing popularity, Dr. Sydnee and Justin look into what exactly it is, what it really does, and whether you should take it. (Spoiler: you should not). Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/ Lamda Legal: https://lambdalegal.org/ Help support this show and unlock bo
Sawbones: Hantavirus, Part 2 May 19, 2026 00:34:23 The recent outbreak of human-communicable Hantavirus on a cruise ship continues to change rapidly and the U.S. continues to lag behind other nations in its response. This week on Sawbones, an update on the situation and some thoughts about the future of disease management in a country that seems uninterested in doing so. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/ First Nat
Sawbones: Hantavirus May 12, 2026 00:43:49 In what may be our most requested episode of all time, Dr. Sydnee addresses the hantavirus outbreak in the headlines, looks at its history and evaluates just how badly the U.S. is handling the situation. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/ First Nations Development Institute: https://www.firstnations.org/ Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a mem
Sawbones: Can Black Widow Venom Cure Diabetes? May 5, 2026 00:42:04 After all the listener support, it’s only fair we give back! “We” meaning Dr. Sydnee is giving back to the listeners by answering their medical questions! Can hanging upside-down cause lasting damage? Are hangnails random or is it part of my life choices? Why did the black plague end? Does flexing my calves strengthen my bladder? And how many living cells are in poop? Music: "Medicines" by The Tax
Sawbones: Milk, Part 2 - Government Cheese Apr 28, 2026 00:50:14 Are you ready to lose your mind about dairy and look at your charcuterie board differently? Justin tells Dr. Sydnee all about the inflated demand for milk, how good for you dairy actually is, and how the United States came to have a giant bunker of cheese in Missouri Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/ Marsha P. Johnson Institute: https://marshap.org/ Help support t
Sawbones: Milk, Part 1 - Lactose Intolerance Apr 21, 2026 00:41:35 Why do some people have stomachaches when they drink or eat dairy products? Dr. Syndee and Justin talk about lactose and lactase to explain that it's really those who can drink milk who are the outliers and answer the very important question: is school milk racist? Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/ Marsha P. Johnson Institute: https://marshap.org/ Help support thi
Sawbones: Vitamin K Apr 7, 2026 00:36:10 No, not the musical artist who sang the graduation song (that's Vitamin C). Vitamin K has been in the news a little bit lately because it's often given as a shot to newborns. Dr. Sydnee talks about the history of its discovery, what it is for, why it's important, and why in the world it's called Vitamin K. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/ Marsha P. Johnson Instit
Sawbones: Ranking TV Medical Shows Mar 31, 2026 00:47:33 In celebration of Dr. Sydnee’s birthday, Justin brings a whole swath of medical show on TV since the year of her birth. From Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman to Nip/Tuck to The Pitt, Dr. Sydnee ranks shows for their accuracy and entertainment value until she’s finisher her bathtub birthday Prosecco. There is no democracy here, Dr. Sydnee’s opinion is the law. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://t
Sawbones: Medicine in Movies Mar 24, 2026 00:38:15 Miracle drugs, strange side effects, classical conditioning: there are many films where the plot hinges around the existence of some unrealistic medicine. Justin brings to the plate the pills and medical devices in Dune, Robocop, Scanners, and more, while Dr. Sydnee ascertains how close they are to reality – or not. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/ Border Angels:
Sawbones: Second Update: Havana Syndrome Mar 17, 2026 01:02:11 Our first ever double-update, Justin and Dr. Sydnee bring an update to an update about the very mysterious Havana Syndrome. Not only is there kind of a reversal of the last update, but the cause actually COULD be a giant microwave? So enjoy the full episode explaining the history of Havana Syndrome, the old update from 2022, and what we learned very recently. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers ht
Sawbones: Measles 2026 Mar 3, 2026 00:43:28 It's been a decade since Sawbones last talked about measles, and we don't often check in with an update unless . . . well, something comes up in the news. Dr. Sydnee talks about how the vaccine for measles was developed, the unfortunate backlash that has been going on against it since 2008, and what we can do for the future. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/ Borde
Sawbones: Would a Healing Vape be More Efficient Than a Healing Potion? Feb 24, 2026 00:42:44 The snow’s piling up outside so we’re cozying down with another batch of listener medical questions! Can I take all my antibiotics at once? If my twin has an allergy, do I have it too? Are prenatal vitamins good for people who do not want to get pregnant? And can air literally get knocked out of your lungs? Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/ Immigrant Law Center of

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