What’s Up Docs?

Welcome to What’s Up Docs?, the podcast where doctors and identical twins Chris and Xand van Tulleken explore every aspect of our health and wellbeing.

In this episode, they want to find out about photographs and memory. How does our memory work? How can taking photos impact our ability to form memories? And can we use photos to enhance our memory? They speak to Linda Henkel, Professor of Psychological and Brain Sciences at Fairfield University, to find out.

If you want to get in touch, you can email us at whatsupdocs@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08000 665 123.

Presenters: Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken Guest: Professor Linda Henkel Producer: Jo Rowntree Executive Producer: Rami Tzabar Editor: Kirsten Lass Assistant Producer: Maia Miller-Lewis Assistant Producer and Researcher: William Hornbrook Tech Lead: Reuben Huxtable Social Media: Leon Gower Digital Lead: Richard Berry Composer: Phoebe McFarlane Sound Design: Melvin Rickarby

At the BBC: Assistant Commissioner: Greg Smith Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4

Chris and Xand dig deeper into the science of how memories are shaped, and how digital technology is affecting our ability to remember things.

Welcome to What’s Up Docs?, the podcast where doctors and identical twins Chris and Xand van Tulleken explore every aspect of our health and wellbeing.

In this episode, they delve into the issue of microplastics - minute fragments of plastic material that have been found in every environment on the planet, as well as in our brains and bodies. How did they get there, are they doing us harm and, if they are, what can we do about it? They speak to Environmental Toxicologist Dr Stephanie Wright from Imperial College, London about the evidence behind the dramatic headlines and why trying to measure the impact of microplastic on health is a challenge.

If you want to get in touch, you can email us at whatsupdocs@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08000 665 123.

Presenters: Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken Guest: Dr Stephanie Wright Producer: Jo Rowntree Executive Producer: Rami Tzabar Editor: Kirsten Lass Assistant Producers: Maia Miller-Lewis and Mary Holditch Tech Lead: Reuben Huxtable Social Media: Leon Gower Digital Lead: Richard Berry Composer: Phoebe McFarlane Sound Design: Melvin Rickarby

At the BBC: Assistant Commissioner: Greg Smith Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4

In this bonus episode Chris and Xand continue to explore microplastics - an issue gaining a lot of media and academic interest. They are joined by Dr Stephanie Wright, a Senior Lecturer in Environmental Toxicology at Imperial College, London, whose work looks at the intersection between plastic pollution and human health.

If you’d like to share your thoughts on this or any other topic covered on the podcast, you email us at whatsupdocs@bbc.co.uk or Whatsapp on 08000 665 123.

Presenters: Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken Guest: Dr Stephanie Wright Producer: Jo Rowntree Executive Producer: Rami Tzabar Editor: Kirsten Lass Assistant Producers: Maia Miller-Lewis and Mary Holditch Tech Lead: Reuben Huxtable Social Media: Leon Gower Digital Lead: Richard Berry Composer: Phoebe McFarlane Sound Design: Melvin Rickarby

At the BBC: Assistant Commissioner: Greg Smith Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4.

Welcome to What’s Up Docs?, the podcast where doctors and identical twins Chris and Xand van Tulleken explore every aspect of our health and wellbeing. How do you tell your friend that something they’ve been doing is really starting to hurt your feelings? Talk to your mum about her health? Or even ask your partner to try something new in bed?

If just thinking about these types of conversations makes your stomach flip, you’re not alone. Most of us avoid moments like these, but how important is it to confront our interpersonal issues head on?

The docs are joined by Chartered Psychologist Kimberley Wilson to explore how we can better prepare for life’s tough but important conversations. Chris and Xand are committed to sharing their personal health and wellbeing journey on What’s up Docs, and in this episode they unexpectedly found themselves having a difficult conversation of their own.

If you’d like to share your thoughts on difficult conversations or anything else that caught your attention in this episode - you can email us at whatsupdocs@bbc.co.uk or Whatsapp us on 08000 665123. Presenters: Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken Guest: Kimberley Wilson Producers: Emily Bird and Jo Rowntree Executive Producer: Rami Tzabar Editor: Kirsten Lass Assistant Producer: Maia Miller-Lewis Researchers: Emily Bird Tech Lead: Reuben Huxtable Social Media: Leon Gower Digital Lead: Richard Berry Composer: Phoebe McFarlane Sound Design: Melvin Rickarby

At the BBC: Assistant Commissioner: Greg Smith Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4

After an unexpected wave of emotion in the main episode, Chris and Xand took a breather and grabbed some lunch. In this bonus episode, we pick up where we left off. Chartered psychologist Kimberly Wilson helps the twins unpick what happened in their own difficult conversation and explains how we can all respond better when having these tricky talks in our lives.

If you’d like to share your thoughts on difficult conversations or anything else that piqued your interest, you can email whatsupdocs@bbc.co.uk or Whatsapp on 08000 665123.

Presenters: Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken Guest: Kimberly Wilson Producer: Emily Bird and Jo Rowntree Executive Producer: Rami Tzabar Editor: Kirsten Lass Assistant Producer: Maia Miller-Lewis Tech Lead: Reuben Huxtable Production Manager: Leon Gower Digital Lead: Richard Berry Composer: Phoebe McFarlane Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4

At the BBC: Assistant Commissioner: Greg Smith Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4.

Are headaches clouding your day? Join Chris and Xand as they speak to Dr Katy Munro, a senior doctor at the National Migraine Centre, to delve into the science behind those nagging pains. Discover practical remedies to ease the throbbing, best ways to avoid getting them in the first place and common headache myths.

If you want to get in touch, you can email us at whatsupdocs@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08000 665 123.

Presenters: Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken Guest: Dr Katy Munro Producer: Jo Rowntree Executive Producer: Rami Tzabar Editor: Kirsten Lass Assistant Producer: Maia Miller-Lewis Researchers: Grace Revill Tech Lead: Reuben Huxtable Social Media: Leon Gower Digital Lead: Richard Berry Composer: Phoebe McFarlane Sound Design: Melvin Rickarby

At the BBC: Assistant Commissioner: Greg Smith Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4

In this bonus episode, Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken dig deeper into headaches. They talk to Dr Katy Munro, a senior doctor at the National Migraine Centre, about her personal experience of headaches, how she dealt with them and how it motivated her to help others.

If you’d like to share your thoughts on this or any other topic covered on the podcast, you email us at whatsupdocs@bbc.co.uk or Whatsapp on 08000 665 123.

Presenters: Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken Guest: Dr Katy Munro Producer: Jo Rowntree Executive Producer: Rami Tzabar Editor: Kirsten Lass Assistant Producer: Maia Miller-Lewis Researchers: Grace Revill Tech Lead: Reuben Huxtable Social Media: Leon Gower Digital Lead: Richard Berry Composer: Phoebe McFarlane Sound Design: Melvin Rickarby

At the BBC: Assistant Commissioner: Greg Smith Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4.

Chris and Xand want to know about bad breath. Chris's wife calls him out on it when he has it. But what causes it? And is there anything we can do about it? In this episode they speak to Dr Praveen Sharma, Associate Professor and Honorary Consultant in Restorative Dentistry, to find out.

If you want to get in touch, you can email us at whatsupdocs@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08000 665123.

Presenters: Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken Guest: Professor Dr Praveen Sharma Producer: Jo Rowntree Executive Producer: Rami Tzabar Editor: Kirsten Lass Assistant Producer: Maia Miller-Lewis Researchers: Grace Revill Tech Lead: Reuben Huxtable Social Media: Leon Gower Digital Lead: Richard Berry Composer: Phoebe McFarlane Sound Design: Melvin Rickarby

At the BBC: Assistant Commissioner: Greg Smith Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4

In this bonus episode, Chris and Xand dig deeper into gum disease. They are joined by Associate Professor & Honorary Consultant in Restorative Dentistry Praveen Sharma to discuss how different types of bacteria in our mouths affect the rest of our bodies, and the link between gum disease and systemic conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

If you’d like to share your thoughts on this or any other topic covered on the podcast, you email us at whatsupdocs@bbc.co.uk or Whatsapp on 08000 665 123.

Presenters: Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken Guest: Associate Professor Praveen Sharma Producer: Jo Rowntree Executive Producer: Rami Tzabar Editor: Kirsten Lass Assistant Producer: Maia Miller-Lewis Researchers: Grace Revill Tech Lead: Reuben Huxtable Social Media: Leon Gower Digital Lead: Richard Berry Composer: Phoebe McFarlane Sound Design: Melvin Rickarby At the BBC: Assistant Commissioner: Greg Smith Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4.

In this episode, Chris and Xand explore sleep deprivation, something they both experience. Many people have become obsessed with getting the perfect night’s sleep. We’re using gadgets, monitoring how many hours we’re getting each night, and taking supplements. But how worried should we actually be?

Chris and Xand talk to Russell Foster, Professor of Circadian Neuroscience at Oxford University, to seek some reassurance. How do we stop our lack of sleep from keeping us up at night?

If you’d like to share your thoughts on sleep deprivation or anything else that caught your attention in this episode - you can email us at whatsupdocs@bbc.co.uk or Whatsapp us on 08000 665123.

Presenters: Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken Guest: Professor Russell Foster Producer: Jo Rowntree Executive Producer: Rami Tzabar Editor: Kirsten Lass Assistant Producer: Maia Miller-Lewis Researchers: Grace Revill and Lisa Lipman Tech Lead: Reuben Huxtable Social Media: Leon Gower Digital Lead: Richard Berry Composer: Phoebe McFarlane Sound Design: Melvin Rickarby At the BBC: Assistant Commissioner: Greg Smith Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4

Chris and Xand dig deeper into sleep deprivation with Professor of Circadian Neuroscience at Oxford University, Russell Foster. They discuss the evolution of sleep and the difference between sleepiness and fatigue.

If you’d like to share your thoughts on this or any other topic covered on the podcast, you email us at whatsupdocs@bbc.co.uk or Whatsapp on 08000 665 123.

Presenters: Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken Guest: Professor Professor Russell Foster Producer: Jo Rowntree Executive Producer: Rami Tzabar Editor: Kirsten Lass Assistant Producer: Maia Miller-Lewis Researchers: Grace Revill and Lisa Lipman Tech Lead: Reuben Huxtable Social Media: Leon Gower Digital Lead: Richard Berry Composer: Phoebe McFarlane Sound Design: Melvin Rickarby

At the BBC: Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts Assistant Commissioner: Greg Smith

A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4.

In this epsiode, Chris and Xand van Tulleken explore testosterone replacement therapy.

It’s been suggested to Xand that he needs some testosterone replacement therapy - but should he take it? Does testosterone really boost mood, sexual appetite and energy? When testosterone declines in men as they get older and when women go through the menopause, can increasing testosterone offer positive results?

Chris and Xand are joined by Dr Channa Jayasena, expert in reproductive endocrinology to find out.

If you’d like to share your thoughts on testosterone or anything else that caught your attention in this episode - you can email us at whatsupdocs@bbc.co.uk or Whatsapp us on 08000 665123.

Presenters: Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken Guest: Dr Channa Jayasena, Imperial College London Producer: Jo Rowntree Executive Producer: Rami Tzabar Editor: Kirsten Lass Assistant Producer: Maia Miller-Lewis Researchers: Lisa Lipman Tech Lead: Reuben Huxtable Social Media: Leon Gower Digital Lead: Richard Berry Composer: Phoebe McFarlane Sound Design: Melvin Rickarby

At the BBC: Assistant Commissioner: Greg Smith Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4

Chris and Xand dig deeper into the role of testosterone with Dr Channa Jayasena, expert in reproductive endocrinology from Imperial College London.

They discuss how  testosterone interacts with other hormones, particularly oestrogen and the different roles these hormones play when it comes to male and female biology. They also explore the populism of testosterone.

If you’d like to share your thoughts on this, or any other topic in the series, you can email at whatsupdocs@bbc.co.uk or Whatsapp on 08000 665 123.

Presenters: Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken Guest: Dr Channa Jayasena, Imperial College London Producer: Jo Rowntree Executive Producer: Rami Tzabar Editor: Kirsten Lass Assistant Producer: Maia Miller-Lewis Researchers: Lisa Lipman Tech Lead: Reuben Huxtable Social Media: Leon Gower Digital Lead: Richard Berry Composer: Phoebe McFarlane Sound Design: Melvin Rickarby

At the BBC: Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts Assistant Commissioner: Greg Smith

A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4.

In a new podcast from BBC Radio 4, doctors and identical twins Chris and Xand van Tulleken explore the messy and complicated world of health and wellbeing.

In this episode they want to know about knee pain - why do we get it, what can we do to treat and prevent it, and should we really just ‘push through it’? They talk to Philip Conaghan, Professor of Musculoskeletal Medicine at the University of Leeds, to find out.

If you want to get in touch, you can email at whatsupdocs@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08000 665123.

Presenters: Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken Guest: Professor Philip Conaghan Producer: Jo Rowntree Executive Producer: Rami Tzabar Editor: Kirsten Lass Assistant Producer: Maia Miller-Lewis Researcher: Grace Revill Tech Lead: Reuben Huxtable Production Manager: Leon Gower Digital Lead: Richard Berry Composer: Phoebe McFarlane Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4

Join Chris and Xand for some bonus content, digging deeper into the topic of each week’s episode of What’s Up Docs?

In this episode they look at knees and are joined by Philip Conaghan, Professor of Musculoskeletal Medicine at the University of Leeds. They discuss key exercises we can be doing to help with chronic knee pain, what the best kind of pain relief is, and how to ensure longevity of the ligaments.

If you’d like to share your thoughts on this, or any other topic in the series, you can email at whatsupdocs@bbc.co.uk or send us a message or voice note on Whatsapp on 08000 665 123.

Presenters: Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken Guest: Philip Conaghan, Professor of Musculoskeletal Medicine at the University of Leeds Producer: Jo Rowntree Executive Producer: Rami Tzabar Editor: Kirsten Lass Assistant Producer: Maia Miller-Lewis Researchers: Grace Revill Tech Lead: Reuben Huxtable Social Media: Leon Gower Digital Lead: Richard Berry Composer: Phoebe McFarlane Sound Design: Melvin Rickarby

At the BBC: Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts Assistant Commissioner: Greg Smith

A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4.

In a new podcast from BBC Radio 4, doctors and identical twins Chris and Xand van Tulleken explore the messy and complicated world of health and wellbeing.

In this episode they want to know about ‘hanger’. Is it real? Or is being hangry just a marketing tool?

Guest Professor of Social Psychology Viren Swami from Anglia Ruskin University says it's real - but hunger is not the only thing that contributes to our emotional state.

If you want to get in touch, you can email at whatsupdocs@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08000 665123.

Presenters: Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken Guest: Professor Viren Swami Producer: Jo Rowntree Executive Producer: Rami Tzabar Editor: Kirsten Lass Assistant Producer: Maia Miller-Lewis Researcher: Lisa Lipman Tech Lead: Reuben Huxtable Production Manager: Leon Gower Digital Lead: Richard Berry Composer: Phoebe McFarlane Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4

Join Chris and Xand for some bonus content, digging deeper into the topic of each week’s episode of What’s Up Docs?

Such is their passion for health and wellbeing that when joined by an expert they find it hard to contain their excitement and the questions just keep coming. Doctors' Notes is the solution. Here, they spend a little more time with the expert and explore some ideas that they can’t get out of their minds.

In this episode, picking up from their conversation with Professor of Social Psychology, Viren Swami, Chris and Xand take a further look at hanger. Looking into the personal, physical and psychological components of hanger, they delve into the political and social issues attached to hunger.

If you’d like to share your thoughts on hanger or anything else that caught your attention in this edition of Doctors' Notes or the main episode on hanger, you can email whatsupdocs@bbc.co.uk or Whatsapp on 08000 665123.

Presenters: Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken Guest: Professor Viren Swami of Anglia Ruskin University Producer: Jo Rowntree Executive Producer: Rami Tzabar Editor: Kirsten Lass Assistant Producer: Maia Miller-Lewis Researcher: Lisa Lipman Tech Lead: Reuben Huxtable Production Manager: Leon Gower Digital Lead: Richard Berry Composer: Phoebe McFarlane Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4

In a new podcast from BBC Radio 4, doctors and identical twins Chris and Xand van Tulleken explore every aspect of our health and wellbeing. In this episode they want to know about willpower. What does it do? Can any of us get better at doing difficult things?

Guest Kimberley Wilson, a chartered psychologist, says it's the biggest question and longest standing issue in psychology and philosophy. Does willpower even exist?

If you want to get in touch with us, you can email at whatsupdocs@bbc.co.uk

And we are also on WhatsApp where you can send a message on 08000 665123

Presenters: Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken Guest: Kimberley Wilson Producer: Jo Rowntree Executive Producer: Rami Tzabar Editor: Kirsten Lass Assistant Producer: Maia Miller-Lewis Researcher: Lisa Lipman Tech Lead: Reuben Huxtable Composer: Phoebe McFarlane Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4

Join Chris and Xand for some bonus content as they dig deeper into the topic of each week’s episode of What’s Up Docs?

Such is their passion for health and wellbeing that when joined by an expert they find it hard to contain their excitement and the questions just keep coming. Doctors' Notes is the solution. Here, they spend a little more time with the expert and explore some ideas that they can’t get out of their minds.

In this episode, picking up from their conversation with chartered psychologist Kimberly Wilson, Chris and Xand take a further look at willpower. Xand gets a bit of free therapy, evaluating his own relationship to willpower and they discuss relapse and the role it plays in the cycle of behavioural change.

If you’d like to share your thoughts on willpower or anything else that piqued your interest in this edition of Doctors' Notes or the main episode about willpower, you can email whatsupdocs@bbc.co.uk or Whatsapp on 08000 665123.

Presenters: Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken Guest: Kimberly Wilson Producer: Jo Rowntree Executive Producer: Rami Tzabar Editor: Kirsten Lass Assistant Producer: Maia Miller-Lewis Researcher: Lisa Lipman Tech Lead: Reuben Huxtable Production Manager: Leon Gower Digital Lead: Richard Berry Composer: Phoebe McFarlane Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4