logo
episode-header-image
May 2021
38m 38s

The Parasite Delusion

Justin McElroy, Dr. Sydnee McElroy
About this episode
Last week, we talked about if eating papaya seeds could rid your body of parasites (spoiler: it can’t). But being concerned about having parasites is not new. We continue the conversation by looking into the phenomenon of Ekbom’s syndrome, or delusional parasitosis, a difficult disorder to both manage and treat. 
Up next
Oct 20
Sawbones: Horror Doctors
Horror movies and stories sure do have a lot of mad scientists and doctors running around. But should they still be practicing? Dr. Sydnee and Justin discuss Dr. Caligari, Dr. Jekyll, and more to see whether or not they should have their licenses removed – so maybe if we should b ... Show More
37m 43s
Oct 13
Sawbones: Cinnamon
Unfortunately we can't have nice things. Dr. Sydnee and Justin must break the news that there is often lead in cinnamon, and discuss how exactly this has happened. However, they also offer advice for how to still consume it safely, plus, an update about the plague in Russia.Music ... Show More
37 m
Oct 6
Sawbones: Lethal Injection
The United States public opinion on the death penalty has waxed and waned so much that its use is on a state-by-state basis, nearly dividing the country in half. Dr. Sydnee and Justin talk about the history of capital punishment in the United States, the various methods and the v ... Show More
38m 53s
Recommended Episodes
Sep 2023
159 - Parasites
tail spinning
54m 54s
Mar 2023
Parasites
Parasites On today’s episode of Red Pill Your Healthcast with Dr. Charlie and Nurse Practitioner Lauren- One of our favorite things to talk about- Parasites. Contrary to belief from the CDC, they are everywhere, but we will go over why you don’t have to be scared about this. Dr. ... Show More
50m 12s
May 2022
Ep 96 Tapeworm: We encyst you listen
<p>We can probably all agree that the thought of a tapeworm hiding out in your gut is not a pleasant one. Nor is the image of tapeworm larvae forming cysts in your muscles, organs, and even your brain. So listening to an entire episode on these parasitic worms? We understand why ... Show More
1h 12m
Aug 2025
Is Your Constipation a Parasite Problem? [Repost]
Do you struggle with constipation? You might have a parasite. As part of our summer series on what you need to know about parasites, we’re revisiting this episode where Dr. Chris Motley takes a closer look at the connection between digestive issues and parasites. Learn what you s ... Show More
20m 59s
Nov 2023
2832: The Parasite & Mold Stealth Pathogen Connection (TWT)
tail spinning
16m 56s
Feb 2025
Ep 165 Fish Tongue Parasite: Parasite Appreciation Hour
Okay everyone, think about your tongue. Maybe move it around a bit, check in with it, consider what it means to you. Now imagine that your tongue suddenly shriveled up and fell off and that in its place is a tongue-sized isopod aka rollie pollie aka pillbug. Just there, hanging o ... Show More
1h 2m
Feb 2022
Ep 90 Human African Trypanosomiasis: A lot to unpack
Here on the podcast, we’re no strangers to multi-host parasites with complicated life cycles, intricate ecologies and dense human histories. But human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) might require the most unpacking yet. In this episode, we do a deep dive into the tsetse fly-transm ... Show More
1h 27m
Nov 2023
Ep 129 Lymphatic Filariasis: Hiding in plain sight
<p>With a history extending back millennia, with a biology that leads to permanent disability for tens of millions of people globally, and with a bacterial endosymbiont that may prove to be its Achilles heel, the filarial parasites that cause lymphatic filariasis are quite the co ... Show More
1h 20m
Dec 2019
Ep 39 Toxoplasmosis: Calling All Cats
<p>You’ve seen the headlines: could this cat-associated parasite be controlling your every move? Is the love you have for cats pure or merely a manipulation? Join us as we discuss <em>Toxoplasma gondii</em>, the feline-associated parasite that infects a whopping one third of all ... Show More
1h 9m
Nov 2017
Ep 2 Skin in the Game, Horse in the Race
This week we tackle leprosy. That biblical (or is it?) infection that, believe it or not, is still with us today. Leprosy has an ancient history that exemplifies some of the worst of human behavior, and its present day status may surprise you. <p> </p><p>See <a href="https://omny ... Show More
54m 19s