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 Nov 26, 2021
Episode 39: ‘Badmotorfinger’ vs ‘Achtung Baby’ / OCD
Friday Nov 26, 2021
Friday Nov 26, 2021
The guys start off the episode with Asif discussing the problems faced by men after trying on their suits after 18 months of the Covid-19 pandemic (1:18). The guys then compare two albums released in the fall of 1991, Soundgarden’s ‘Badmotorfinger’ and U2’s ‘Achtung Baby’ (3:15). They start off by discussing ‘Badmotorfinger’ and the amazing productivity of Chris Cornell in the fall 1991 and the overall innovation of the album. The guys then discuss U2’s ‘Achtung Baby’; they discuss the tensions the band had when recording the album and how the documentary ‘From the Sky Down’ details the trials and tribulations of making this album. They discuss how the band writing the song “One” was the breakthrough that saved the album and the band itself. The guys then give their preferences about which album they prefer. Asif then discusses OCD, a topic suggested by a listener (28:51). Asif goes over the symptoms and how common it is. He then goes over the difference between OCD and Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD). He then discusses whether OCD is genetic and the recommended treatment for OCD. At the end of the episode, listen to hear about a podcast we are currently "Obsessed" with...
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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Tomorrow Begat Tomorrow: An Oral History of Soundgarden’s Badmotorfinger: https://www.spin.com/2021/10/soundgarden-badmotorfinger-oral-history-30th-anniversary/
- 30 Years Ago: Soundgarden Break Through With ‘Badmotorfinger’: https://loudwire.com/soundgarden-badmotorfinger-anniversary/?utm_source=tsmclip&utm_medium=referral
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The Past Brought Into the Light: Breaking Down a U2 Breakthrough, Chord by Chord: https://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/29/arts/television/from-the-sky-down-a-documentary-about-u2-review.html
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U2’s ‘Achtung Baby’ at 30: Looking Back at the Pioneering Rock Giants’ Greatest Album and Backstory: https://www.rockcellarmagazine.com/u2-achtung-baby-30th-anniversary-look-back-history-listen/
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I’m Not Brave at All: https://www.theplayerstribune.com/articles/corey-hirsch-nhl-hockey-mental-health
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Personality disorders: review and clinical application in daily practice: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22150659/
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Suicide ideation and attempts in obsessive-compulsive disorder: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31046037/
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Canadian clinical practice guidelines for the management of anxiety, posttraumatic stress and obsessive-compulsive disorders: https://bmcpsychiatry.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1471-244X-14-S1-S1
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Obsessive-compulsive disorder and body dysmorphic disorder: treatment: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg31
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Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Diagnosis and Management: https://www.aafp.org/afp/2015/1115/p896.html
- Obsessed: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/obsessed/id1559480972
Friday Nov 19, 2021
Episode 38: Kumail Nanjiani gets ripped / HGH and steroid use in Hollywood
Friday Nov 19, 2021
Friday Nov 19, 2021
The guys start off the episodes by discussing Ali’s recent attendance at a Toronto Maple Leafs game and his ‘Sophie’s Choice’ of needing to choose whether to cheer for Toronto or the Boston Bruins (1:40). Asif then discusses his thoughts on the recent movie by Denis Villeneuve ‘Dune”. Then Asif asks Ali about Kumail Nanjiani and his thoughts on his body transformation and the reasons Kumail has given about his reasons for getting into shape (9:42). They then talk about Kumail posting pics of his new bod on Instagram and the response (good and bad) to it. The guys go out of their way to emphasize that they do not feel that Kumail has done HGH or steroids. Then Asif goes over exactly what HGH and steroids are as well as the side effects of taking them (33:17). He then discusses how they are allegedly used by actors in Hollywood as well as in Bollywood.
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:
-
Clueless Gamer: "Shadow Of War" With Kumail Nanjiani | CONAN on TBS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txvKrTplOVs
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Kumail Nanjiani’s Feelings: The man in the Marvel suit confronts his body: https://www.vulture.com/article/kumail-nanjiani-eternals-profile.html?utm_source=tw&utm_medium=s1&utm_campaign=vulture
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Kumail Nanjiani Can Do Anything: https://www.menshealth.com/fitness/a31195173/kumail-nanjiani-buff-interview/
- Tom and Lorenzo - Who Watches the Swole Men?On who gets to be an unhealthy hero and who doesn't:
- Steroids - Centre for addiction and mental health: https://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/mental-illness-and-addiction-index/steroids
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Systematic review: the safety and efficacy of growth hormone in the healthy elderly: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17227934/
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Systematic review: the effects of growth hormone on athletic performance: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18347346/
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Hollywood and Steroids: When A-List Actors Go the A-Rod Route: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/hollywood-steroid-use-a-list-609091/
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The open secret to looking like a superhero: https://www.vox.com/the-goods/22760163/steroids-hgh-hollywood-actors-peds-performance-enhancing-drugs
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Hollywood’s Vial Bodies: https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2012/03/human-grown-hormone-hollywood-201203
- https://melmagazine.com/en-us/story/instagram-fitness-influencers-scams
- Akshay Kumar: After 32 years of working out, I still don’t have more than 6 packshttps://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/akshay-kumar-after-32-years-of-working-out-i-still-dont-have-more-than-6-packs/articleshow/45258259.cms
Friday Nov 12, 2021
Episode 37: TikTok and Tourette
Friday Nov 12, 2021
Friday Nov 12, 2021
Today, the guys switch things around by discussing the medical topic first -- Tics and Tourette Syndrome (1:02). Asif discusses what the symptoms of Tourette Syndrome are, how you diagnose it and what causes it. He also talks about other commonly associated conditions and why you often do NOT need to treat tics. Then Ali and Asif discuss Tourette Syndrome on tv shows, movies and especially social media (20:50). Asif discusses how he was asked to be on the TV show “Employable Me” as a medical expert on Tourette Syndrome and his reasons for declining the offer. Asif discusses the finding of an increase in psychogenic tics over the Covid-19 pandemic and it’s possible relation to TikTok influencers. And as a bonus, at the end of the episode, Ali announces his casting in the new CBC sitcom “Run the Burbs”.
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:
- Employable Me: https://www.tvo.org/programs/employable-me
- Asif’s Youtube Video On Tics and Tourette: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rL4HrZDLJN0
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TikTok Teens and K-Pop Stans Say They Sank Trump Rally: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/21/style/tiktok-trump-rally-tulsa.html
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The Superstars of Tourette’s TikTok: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2021/07/disability-influencers-tourette-tiktok/619468/
- COVID-19 related increase in childhood tics and tic-like attacks: https://adc.bmj.com/content/106/5/420
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Gen Z Is Developing Unexplained Tics After Going Online, And Doctors Are Concerned: https://www.vice.com/en/article/xgx3en/gen-z-is-developing-unexplained-tics-after-going-online-and-doctors-are-concerned
- Rapid Onset Functional Tic‐Like Behaviors in Young Females During the COVID‐19 Pandemic:
- Tics and TikTok: Functional Tics Spread Through Social Media: https://movementdisorders.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/mdc3.13267
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TikTok Tics: A Pandemic Within a Pandemic: https://movementdisorders.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/mdc3.13316
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What Happened to the Girls in Le Roy: https://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/11/magazine/teenage-girls-twitching-le-roy.html
Thursday Nov 04, 2021
Episode 36: Coming up with material / Laughter & Medicine
Thursday Nov 04, 2021
Thursday Nov 04, 2021
On today’s episode, after a brief discussion of Jerry Seinfeld’s “Is this Anything?”, Ali discusses how he and other comedians come up with material (2:21). He talks about writing out jokes, practicing them at open mics and refining them over time. He then talks about what happens when you recommend a joke to a comic. Then, Asif discusses the health benefits of laughter on pain tolerance, interpersonal relationships and stress (29:17). He then discusses ‘laughter yoga’ and whether there is evidence for its use in medicine. Finally, he discusses so-called “laughing seizures”.
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:
-
Social Laughter Triggers Endogenous Opioid Release in Humans: https://www.jneurosci.org/content/37/25/6125
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Effects of laughter and relaxation on discomfort thresholds: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3302270/
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Six Science-Based Reasons Why Laughter Is The Best Medicine: https://www.forbes.com/sites/daviddisalvo/2017/06/05/six-science-based-reasons-why-laughter-is-the-best-medicine/?sh=65281b007f04
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Does laughing have a stress-buffering effect in daily life? An intensive longitudinal study: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0235851
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Laughter yoga versus group exercise program in elderly depressed women: a randomized controlled trial: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/gps.2545
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Laughter-inducing therapies: Systematic review and meta-analysis: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0277953619300851?via%3Dihub