The spooky season can be a divisive one. Some of us love being scared, and others avoid it at all costs. Author Stephen King has been terrifying readers for nearly 50 years, and knows what makes us scream. So how does he do it, and what’s happening in our brains when we’re afraid? Does anything frighten the king of horror? Sanjay talks to King, one of his fa ... Show More
Jul 31
The Next Breakthrough Addiction Treatment May Be Here
The diabetes drugs that transformed weight loss may be key to treating addiction, too. Dr. Sanjay Gupta speaks with Dr. Dhruv Khullar about how GLP-1s affect the brain, its reward system, and maybe even addiction. This episode was produced by Jennifer Lai with assistance from Sof ... Show More
29m 14s
Jul 24
When Snoring Becomes a Danger to Your Health
Dr. Sanjay Gupta talks with Dr. Paul Hoff, an Ear, Nose and Throat specialist (otolaryngologist) at the University of Michigan, about why sleep apnea is often missed, how it can harm the body and mind, and the latest treatment options. This episode was produced by Madeleine Thomp ... Show More
27m 18s
Oct 2019
Episode 17 - American Author: Stephen King
In honor of the creepiest month of the year, today’s episode is dedicated to the master of horror himself, Stephen King. I’ll tell you all about this critically acclaimed author and share some of my favorite Stephen King books and movies. He is one of America’s favorite writers, ... Show More
12m 43s
Oct 2015
Episode 6: The Science of Fear
<p>This week, for Halloween, the Hidden Brain podcast gets spooky. We explore the science of fear — traveling to a haunted house curated by a scientist to investigate what scares us, and why some people enjoy this sensation more than others.</p><br/> <p>Hosted by Simplecast, an A ... Show More
20m 27s
Oct 2025
Stephen King Isn't Always Scary (with Sean Fennessey)
<p>It's October, which means it's time for scary books and scary movies. There's one person who is well known for both: Stephen King. Since his first novel, "Carrie," was published in 1974 and adapted into a hit film two years later, his novels and short stories have been a relia ... Show More
53m 10s
<p>Halloween is just around the corner, so we turned to two great horror authors — Joe Hill and Stephen Graham Jones — for their recommendations of books to read this season.</p><p>Books discussed:</p><ul><li>"Mean Spirited," by Nick Roberts</li><li>"Maeve Fly," by CJ Leede</li>< ... Show More