What's Up Docs? Podcast
Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken are on a mission to help us take better care of ourselves.
In this ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Radio 4 podcast, Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken are on a mission to help us take better care of ourselves.
Although they are identical twins, Chris and Xand are very different and they never stop thinking and arguing about science and health. They want to lead healthy, happy lives and as doctors, they want this for everyone. Yet they tussle over how best to get there.
When it comes to looking after our own health, it can be confusing. Medicine and science produce amazing new treatments and diagnostics every day and we are bombarded with so many headlines and pieces of advice; but how are we supposed to know what's really best for us and then successfully apply it to our lives?
Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken embrace this challenge; even as they marvel at the scientific breakthroughs, they grapple with the competing claims about health, wellbeing and how to live.
From understanding testosterone therapies to microplastics in our diets, and the concept of 'hangriness' to the power of saying no - this podcast deals with the health stresses we all face every day, while taking on board how the decisions by corporations and governments affect all our health.
Each episode, Chris and Xand are joined by an expert guest to examine the latest research, psychological insights, and data, to help listeners navigate the overwhelming amount of information and advice out there. They talk about the trials and tribulations in their own lives in their characteristically witty way - each teasing the other as they search for solutions. Xand has trouble sleeping , Chris has noisy knees, one of them has got an embarrassing itch. They have different ways of looking at things and find it really helpful to get the other one's point of view. These doctors are trying their best and encouraging listeners to do the same.
Email: whatsupdocs@bbc.co.uk
Whatsapp: 08000 665123
A Loftus Media production for ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Radio 4.
Episodes to download
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Doctors' Notes: False memories
Last Tuesday
Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken delve further into the research around false memories.
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What should we do about false memories?
Last Tuesday
Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken explore the role of false memories in our lives.
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Doctors' Notes: Napping
Tue 21 Oct 2025
Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken want to know how napping varies across ages and cultures.
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Should you take naps?
Tue 21 Oct 2025
Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken want to know whether napping is good for us.
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Doctors’ Notes: Embarrassment
Tue 14 Oct 2025
Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken set out to discover who gets embarrassed - and why.
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Why do we get embarrassed?
Tue 14 Oct 2025
Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken explore the role of embarrassment in our lives.
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Doctors’ Notes: Nature
Tue 7 Oct 2025
Chris and Xand look a little deeper into the relationship between nature and our health.
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Is nature good for you?
Tue 7 Oct 2025
Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken want to know the link between nature and our wellbeing.
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Can psychedelics improve your mental health?
Tue 30 Sep 2025
Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken are on a mission to help us take better care of ourselves.
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Doctors' Notes: Fibre
Tue 23 Sep 2025
Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken dig into fibre, its socioeconomics and the microbiome.
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Are you getting enough fibre?
Tue 23 Sep 2025
Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken explore why fibre is important for our health.
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Doctors' Notes: Backs
Tue 16 Sep 2025
Chris and Xand explore the wide-ranging issues around back pain.
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How can you strengthen your back?
Tue 16 Sep 2025
Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken get to the bottom of back pain.
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Doctors' Notes: Magnesium
Tue 9 Sep 2025
Drs Chris and Xand explore magnesium's relationship to diabetes and exercise.
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Should you take magnesium supplements?
Tue 9 Sep 2025
Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken unpick the most talked about mineral - magnesium.
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Doctors' Notes: Menstrual Health
Tue 2 Sep 2025
Chris and Xand van Tulleken want to know how we can reduce menstrual health stigma.
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Is there a 'normal' menstrual cycle?
Tue 2 Sep 2025
Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken uncover what we misunderstand about the menstrual cycle.
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Is our noisy world killing us?
Tue 26 Aug 2025
Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken uncover the serious health impacts of noise.
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Doctors’ Notes: Kidneys
Tue 19 Aug 2025
Chris and Xand explore the issue of chronic kidney disease.
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How to look after your kidneys
Tue 19 Aug 2025
Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken discover the magic of the kidneys.
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Doctors’ Notes: Nails
Tue 12 Aug 2025
Chris and Xand take a deeper dive into nails and the health clues they can reveal.
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What do your nails say about your health?
Tue 12 Aug 2025
Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken delve into the science of nail health.
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Doctors' Notes: Laughter
Tue 5 Aug 2025
Chris and Xand explore different types of laughter and what they reveal about us.
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Will laughter help you live longer?
Tue 5 Aug 2025
Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken discuss whether laughter really is the best medicine.
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Doctors' Notes: Saying 'No'
Tue 29 Jul 2025
Chris and Xand explore the importance of saying 'no' in parenting.
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Should you say 'no' more often?
Tue 29 Jul 2025
Chris and Xand explore the importance of setting boundaries in all aspects of our lives.
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Doctors' Notes: Caffeine
Tue 22 Jul 2025
Chris and Xand take a deeper dive into the science of caffeine and its impact on sport.
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Can caffeine boost your performance?
Tue 22 Jul 2025
Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken explore the effects of caffeine on our brains and bodies.
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Doctors' Notes: Tanning
Tue 15 Jul 2025
Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken shine a light on what really happens when we tan.