Is Laughter the best medicine? We attempt to answer this and other pressing questions in Doctor Vs Comedian. Dr Asif Doja is a pediatric neurologist and Ali Hassan is a stand up comedian and actor (CBC‘s Laugh Out Loud, Designated Survivor, Goon) who are each fascinated by what the other one does. In each episode, Asif picks a topic for Ali from comedy and entertainment and questions Ali about it. Then Ali picks a topic from medicine and health and grills Asif on that subject. We talk about serious subjects in an unserious way. If you want to hear about comedy, entertainment, health and wellness and don‘t want to have to choose between being entertaining AND informed, then this show is for you.
Episodes
Friday Jul 30, 2021
Episode 22: Send in the Clowns
Friday Jul 30, 2021
Friday Jul 30, 2021
In this episode, Asif starts things off by discussing how he finally got around to seeing Zach Snyder’s Justice League (1:00) and they compare the viewing experience to Christopher Nolan’s Tenet. The guys then discuss clowns in comedy as well as hospital clowns. First, Ali discusses the different types of clowns and the history of clowning (4:59). Then he discusses a specific subtype of clown, “Le Bouffon” and why Sacha Baron Cohen loves to be called one.. Finally, Ali discusses modern entertainers who can be considered clowns. Next, Asif discusses the history of hospital clowns AKA doctor clowns (20:18). He reviews the history of hospital clowning, the type of people who become hospital clowns, and the job requirements. Asif discusses his personal experiences with hospital clowns, what the scientific evidence says about their effectiveness, and medical students doing rotations with hospital clowns.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
Contact us at doctorvcomedian@gmail.com
Follow us on Social media:
Twitter: @doctorvcomedian
Instagram: doctorvcomedian
Show Notes:
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For Actor-Activist Sacha Baron Cohen, Being Called A 'Bouffon' Is A Good Thing: https://www.capradio.org/news/npr/story?storyid=980502414
- Hospital Clowns -- modern day court jesters at work, The Lancet, 2006: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(06)69919-4/fulltext
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Effectiveness of hospital clowns for symptom management in paediatrics: systematic review of randomised and non-randomised controlled trial, British Medical Journal, 2020: https://www.bmj.com/content/371/bmj.m4290
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Hospital clowning: a paediatrician’s view, European Journal of Pediatrics, 2017: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5243901/
- The Best Medicine. How clowning around at CHEO is teaching new doctors empathy: https://newsinteractives.cbc.ca/longform/how-clowning-around-is-teaching-new-doctors-empathy
Friday Jul 23, 2021
Episode 21: ‘Ted Lasso’ / Psychedelics in Medicine
Friday Jul 23, 2021
Friday Jul 23, 2021
On today’s episode the guys first off start talking about last week’s Emmy nominations, including the surprises and snubs (00:54). Then Asif asks Ali about his thoughts on ‘Ted Lasso’ (5:16). The guys talk about the development of the show and praise the performances of the cast, particularly Jason Sudeikis and Hannah Waddingham. They then talk about why the show has resonated with so many people during the pandemic. They also discuss the real life parallels between Ted Lasso’s personal life and Jason Sudeikis’. Then Ali asks Asif about psychedelics in medicine and their surprising connection to Ted Lasso (24:18). Asif talks about psychedelics being brought to prominence by the author Micheal Pollan and discusses the emerging evidence for their use in mental health.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
Contact us at doctorvcomedian@gmail.com
Follow us on Social media:
Twitter: @doctorvcomedian
Instagram: doctorvcomedian
Show Notes
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Jason Sudeikis Is Having One Hell of a Year https://www.gq.com/story/jason-sudeikis-august-cover-profile
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He shoots! He scores! How Jason Sudeikis won our hearts with Ted Lasso: https://ew.com/tv/ted-lasso-cover-jason-sudeikis/
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How to Change Your Mind: What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us About Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression, and Transcendence: https://michaelpollan.com/books/how-to-change-your-mind/
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'Reluctant Psychonaut' Michael Pollan Embraces The 'New Science' Of Psychedelics: https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/05/15/611225541/reluctant-psychonaut-michael-pollan-embraces-the-new-science-of-psychedelics
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Michael Pollan Drops Acid — and Comes Back From His Trip Convinced: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/04/books/review/michael-pollan-how-to-change-your-mind.html
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This Will Change Your Mind About Psychedelic Drugs: https://time.com/5278036/michael-pollan-psychedelic-drugs/
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The Current Status of Psychedelics in Psychiatry: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32725172/
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Psilocybin can occasion mystical-type experiences having substantial and sustained personal meaning and spiritual significance: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16826400/
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Neural correlates of the psychedelic state as determined by fMRI studies with psilocybin: https://www.pnas.org/content/109/6/2138
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Effects of Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy on Major Depressive Disorder: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/fullarticle/2772630
Thursday Jul 15, 2021
Episode 20: ‘Never Have I Ever’/ Conversion Disorder
Thursday Jul 15, 2021
Thursday Jul 15, 2021
On today’s episode, the guys start off by reminiscing about the career of the acclaimed director Richard Donner (1:07). They talk about his classic films including ‘Superman’, ‘The Goonies’, ‘Scrooged’, ‘Lethal Weapon’, as well as the not so classic ‘16 Blocks’ (featuring a classically bad vocal choice by Mos Def). Then Asif asks Ali about his thoughts on Mindy Kaling’s ‘Never have I Ever’ (7:25), whose second season is out now on Netflix. They talk about the excellent casting choice of the previously unknown Maitreyi Ramakrishnan. The guys discuss the diverse representation in the show and how the show depicts the idea of growing up South Asian in North America. Then Asif asks Ali about conversion disorder (aka functional neurologic disorder) which is depicted in season 1 of the show (31:12). Asif talks about the diagnosis, how it comes about and how it is NOT people ‘faking’ symptoms. The guys also reference Ricky Bobby from ‘Talladega Nights’. Asif then talks about the prognosis and treatment of the disorder.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
Contact us at doctorvcomedian@gmail.com
Follow us on Social media:
Twitter: @doctorvcomedian
Instagram: doctorvcomedian
Show Notes:
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What South Asian Youth Are Saying About Devi from "Never Have Ever":
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Decade of progress in motor functional neurological disorder: continuing the momentum:
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Conversion Disorder: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29851882/
- https://www.neurosymptoms.org/en_US/
- Paralympics and conversion disorder: https://jnnp.bmj.com/content/87/2/217
Friday Jul 09, 2021
Episode 19: Non-traditional comedy specials / ADHD in adults
Friday Jul 09, 2021
Friday Jul 09, 2021
On today’s episode, Ali updates us on his filming of Hudson and Rex in Newfoundland (00:54).Then Asif asks Ali about his thoughts on Bo Burnham’s new netflix special ‘Inside’ (3:56). The guys talk about Bo Burnham’s rise to fame via the internet and the response to his special, both good and bad. They compare the response to the special to Hannah Gadsby’s ‘Nanette’ and other atypical comedy specials such as those done by Hasan Minhaj, Patton Oswalt and Chris Rock. Then Ali asks Asif about ADHD in adults (29:59). Asif then addresses whether ADHD may be overdiagnosed as well. Finally, they discuss the abuse of prescription stimulants in college and university students.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
Contact us at doctorvcomedian@gmail.com
Follow us on Social media:
Twitter: @doctorvcomedian
Instagram: doctorvcomedian
Show Notes:
-
The Problem With Bo Burnham’s Inside https://slate.com/culture/2021/06/problem-with-bo-burnham-inside.html
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Bo Burnham on creating comedy from a life of growing up online and his new film Eighth Grade: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/q/monday-july-30-2018-bo-burnham-abba-s-benny-andersson-and-more-1.4764877/bo-burnham-on-creating-comedy-from-a-life-of-growing-up-online-and-his-new-film-eighth-grade-1.4764883
- Three ideas. Three Contradictions. Or not: https://www.ted.com/talks/hannah_gadsby_three_ideas_three_contradictions_or_not
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Is Adult Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Being Overdiagnosed? https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4500182/
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Non-medical Prescription Stimulant Use among Post-secondary Students (Topic Summary): https://www.ccsa.ca/non-medical-prescription-stimulant-use-among-post-secondary-students-topic-summary
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“Study Drug” Abuse by College Students: What You Need to Know: https://www.center4research.org/study-drug-abuse-college-students/
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Do college students improve their grades by using prescription stimulants nonmedically? https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306460316302659?casa_token=Yql1SIrZvGwAAAAA:nz7ffOZypJRxSaofFFF4mwjO5PviIckR1-VZmhGbR1xFft-63Ch4UHohGh_3tCuuf2-7nfMakjtz
Friday Jul 02, 2021
Episode 18: HBO's 'Hacks' / ADHD in Kids
Friday Jul 02, 2021
Friday Jul 02, 2021
On today’s episode, Ali joins us on location in Newfoundland, and talks about filming the television show 'Hudson and Rex' (00:50). Asif asks Ali about his thoughts on the new HBO show ‘Hacks’. They discuss the premise of the show (young writer coming up with jokes for an aging comedian), comedians getting jokes written for them, and aging comics. They also share their thoughts on how the main character on the show appears to be inspired by the legendary Joan Rivers (5:35). The guys then give their thoughts on the show as a whole and why they like the show’s unlikeable characters. Then, Asif discusses ADHD in kids (34:13). He goes over definitions of ADHD and the fact the amount of kids being diagnosed with ADHD over time has been increasing. Asif then discusses the pros and cons of children receiving a diagnosis of ADHD as well as therapy for ADHD.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
Contact us at doctorvcomedian@gmail.com
Follow us on Social media:
Twitter: @doctorvcomedian
Instagram: doctorvcomedian
Show Notes:
- ‘Hacks’: Jean Smart Makes ’Em Laugh in Stand-Up Dramedy: https://www.rollingstone.com/tv/tv-reviews/hacks-review-hbo-max-jean-smart-1166522/
- Overdiagnosis of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Children and AdolescentsA Systematic Scoping Review: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2778451
- Overdiagnosis of mental disorders in children and adolescents (in developed countries): https://capmh.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13034-016-0140-5
- Measuring inappropriate medical diagnosis and treatment in survey data: The case of ADHD among school-aged children.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20739076/
- Influence of relative age on diagnosis and treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3328520/