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Artwork for Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine

Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine

Justin McElroy, Dr. Sydnee McElroy
Public Health
Vaccines
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Christmas
Vaccination
Covid-19
Home Alone 2: Lost In New York
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
Fluoride
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Pepto Bismol
Kevin Mccallister
Harry Lyme
Marv Murchins
Renaissance Medicine
Lisztomania
Dopamine Detox
Tear Gas
Medical History
Tuberculosis

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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes585Founded13 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Health & FitnessMedicineComedy

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine

Latest Episodes

Dr. Sydnee is joined this week by Charlie and Cooper, who are starring in a production of Matilda, and therefore experts in . . . telekinetic government experiments. The three McElroys talk about the unsuccessful history of trying to prove – or creat... more

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 shoul... more

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... more

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 t... more

Key Facts

Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Wonderful!
Wonderful!Rachel and Griffin McElroy
The Adventure Zone
The Adventure ZoneThe McElroys
Shmanners
ShmannersTravis and Teresa McElroy
The Empty Bowl
The Empty BowlJustin McElroy

Recent Guests

Thatcher Sawyer
A college student who had a near-death experience during Spring Break
Auburn University
Episode: Feed Drop: Clint and Justin join MFD Spring Break!
John Green
Author and co-founder of Good.Store
Good.Store
Episode: Sawbones: John Green and Good.Store

Hosts

Justin McElroy
Host of Sawbones
Sydnee McElroy
Co-host of Sawbones

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 25k ratings
  • It’s the wrong symbol *edited* now the correct symbol

    The staff and the two snakes is the incorrect symbol. It is the symbol of messengers. The correct symbol is the staff with one snake wrapped around it.

    *edit*

    They have since I wrote this review fix the symbol five stars

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Gay and trans
    Canada18 days ago
  • listened to the whole show 5+ times… love it!

    i’ve been listening to sawbones to fall asleep for about 5 years. it’s a great way to wind down with an educational perspective and generally low-stakes fun facts! justin and sydney have fantastic banter and always make me smile :D some of these reviewers are really upset. if you don’t like the show, don’t listen !

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    clara:D))))
    United States19 days ago
  • Great way to learn random stuff

    I love this show, I have learned a lot of random stuff and it is very funny and a great show for everyone. It is funny, free and factual.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Tatertoter1234
    United Statesa month ago
  • Wish it’s a CEU!

    I find this WAY more informative (and of course entertaining!) than any CEU’s. All medical professionals should have a listen and learn something new. Thank you Sawbone Team!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    HMA5000
    United States2 months ago
  • Unlistenable at times

    I really wanted to like this show but Justin constantly talks over Sydnee to the point where it’s uncomfortable and distracting. He’s trying to be funny but he’s not most of the time because he’s going for quantity not quality. It makes the show unlistenable at times.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    gonzoknife
    United States2 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Many appreciate accessible explanations and engaging storytelling.
Some listeners feel the show drifts into politics or tone for certain topics.
Listeners praise the hosts' chemistry and balance of humor with medical history.
Long-time fans value the show's evolution and depth in medical history while wishing for more focus on classic topics.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#122
United States/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#129
Canada/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#217
Australia/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#40
Saudi Arabia/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#98
Norway/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#131
Singapore/Comedy

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Sawbones: Can Black Widow Venom Cure Diabetes?
Q: Can Black Widow Venom cure diabetes?
No. There is a grain of truth about certain toxins affecting insulin pathways, but the venom itself is unsafe and not a cure; drug development would require isolating the active component and ensuring safety, with approved medications recommended instead.
Sawbones: Can Black Widow Venom Cure Diabetes?
Q: If you're upside down for long periods, can that cause lasting damage?
Brief periods of hanging upside down are generally not harmful, but prolonged hanging can stress the heart, lungs, and brain, potentially causing problems if maintained for too long. Individual physiology and conditions matter, but the consensus is to avoid long durations.
Sawbones: Would a Healing Vape be More Efficient Than a Healing Potion?
Q: Is there any benefit to taking prenatal vitamins if I'm desperately not wanting to get pregnant?
Prenatal vitamins have added nutrients that are beneficial during pregnancy, but if not pregnant, they do not provide significant benefits and can have side effects.
Sawbones: Would a Healing Vape be More Efficient Than a Healing Potion?
Q: Do compression socks really work this way for every body?
Compression socks can help reduce swelling and discomfort during flights, but for those without high-risk conditions, their effectiveness against DVT is minimal.
Sawbones: Would a Healing Vape be More Efficient Than a Healing Potion?
Q: Why do we take antibiotics over a period of like 10 days rather than a bunch at once?
Taking antibiotics in smaller doses over a period helps prevent toxicity to the body and allows for effective elimination of bacteria without harming the host.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Two-host, science-forward show that blends medical history with modern health topics, debunking myths and exploring how medicine evolved. Episodes mix rigorous explanations with humor, pop culture references, and accessible storytelling, often tracing how public health, policy, and industry shaped medical understanding. Notable strengths include clear explanations of complex topics (from vaccines to diagnostic tools) and a lively dynamic between the hosts that keeps dense subjects engaging. This mix makes it appealing to curious listeners who want both entertainment and educational takeaways, especially those in or entering healthcare, science communication, or medical history fields.

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These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. My Brother, My Brother And Me
2. Wonderful!
3. The Adventure Zone
4. Shmanners
5. The Empty Bowl

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 13 years ago and published 585 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Thatcher Sawyer
2. John Green

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