2025 Medical Awards, Biggest Breakthroughs, Biggest Fails, and the Health Stories That Took Over Your Feed

Pneumonic plague vs. bubonic plague: what’s the difference, and should the Russia headlines have you worried? Yvy and Julie break down plague symptoms, how it spreads, and what modern treatment looks like in Episode 137 of Funny Medicine. From the Black Death to modern U.S. cases, we’re digging into the science behind the headlines without turning every rumor into an outbreak. Expect plain-English medical explanations, historical rabbit holes, and the usual Funny Medicine side conversations. In this episode: Bubonic, pneumonic, and septicemic plague explained Yersinia pestis and the history of the Black Death Fleas, rodents, pets, and how people can become exposed Pneumonic plague transmission: what close contact actually means Plague symptoms, antibiotics, and why early treatment matters U.S. plague cases and practical prevention The Russia reports: what was known and what remained unconfirmed Plague is treatable with antibiotics, but prompt medical care is essential. For the medical guidance behind our treatment and transmission discussion, see the CDC’s evidence-based recommendations. Subscribe to Funny Medicine for more medical deep dives with science, context, and a sense of humor. Before this episode, did you know there was more than one form of plague? Tell us in the comments. Recorded October 9, 2026. The Russia discussion reflects information available at recording, including the WHO’s October 7 briefing, which did not confirm plague in the reported incident. This episode is for general education and entertainment, not personal medical advice.

Vampire facials sound like something we should be discussing during spooky season, not at a med spa... and yet here we are. 🧛‍♀️🩸 In Episode 136 of Funny Medicine Podcast, we’re diving into the science, history, hype, and very weird cultural obsession behind **vampire facials, PRP (platelet-rich plasma), microneedling, facial rejuvenation, and “young blood” for anti-aging. So what actually happens during a vampire facial? Your own blood is drawn, separated in a centrifuge, and the platelet-rich portion may be applied or injected into the skin, often alongside microneedling. Sounds extremely scientific. But does it actually make your skin look younger? That answer gets complicated. We look at what current research says about PRP for facial aging and acne scars, why some studies show possible benefits while others find little advantage over microneedling alone, and why combining multiple treatments makes it harder to figure out what is actually responsible for the results. And because this is Funny Medicine, somehow we also end up going from ancient bloodletting and leeches to modern med spas, beauty marketing, celebrity trends, biohacking, and people still chasing the fountain of youth thousands of years later. We also get into the part that deserves way more attention: safety. Your own blood does not automatically mean zero risk. Sterile technique, proper blood handling, trained clinicians, single-use equipment, and infection control matter when needles and blood are involved. Then we go even further down the rabbit hole into young plasma, longevity biohacking, Bryan Johnson, mouse studies, and whether “young blood” actually has evidence behind the anti-aging claims. Spoiler: fascinating science does not automatically equal proven human age reversal. So... vampire facial: science, skincare, marketing masterpiece, or a little bit of everything? 🎧 Watch the full episode and tell us in the comments: Would YOU try a vampire facial? And if you’ve already had PRP or microneedling, we want to hear what your experience was. THIS PODCAST IS FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT SUBSTITUTE FOR PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE. 🔔 Subscribe so you never miss an episode → https://linktr.ee/funnymedicine Support the show • Drop a comment with your questions or stories Instagram & Threads: @funnymedicinepodcast Twitter/X: @FunnyMedPod TikTok: @funnymedicinepodcast

Burnout isn’t just being tired, and apparently it also isn’t magically cured by a yoga class, better time management, or the sacred workplace pizza party. 🙃 In Funny Medicine Podcast Episode 135, we’re breaking down what burnout actually is, what workplace burnout can feel like, how chronic stress can affect you mentally and physically, and why the solution isn’t always telling exhausted people to become “more resilient.” And somehow… this episode also turned into an unexpected therapy session about medical residency. We have regrets. 😂 We get into: 🔥 What burnout actually means according to the WHO 🧠 Burnout symptoms including mental exhaustion, brain fog, cynicism and feeling unlike yourself ⚖️ Burnout vs. depression, and why the distinction matters 🏥 Physician burnout, healthcare worker burnout and medical residency 💼 Workplace stress, overwhelming workloads and staffing shortages 📱 Why being constantly reachable can make disconnecting from work nearly impossible 🛑 Workplace boundaries and the “right to disconnect” 😵‍💫 Why burnout can make capable people suddenly feel like they can’t function normally 🧘 Why individual wellness strategies aren’t enough when the workplace itself is the problem 👩‍💼 Leadership, management and creating healthier work environments 👵 Millennials, Gen X, Gen Z and how different generations approach workplace boundaries ✅ What research suggests may actually help with burnout and chronic work stress We also get VERY personal about what burnout looked like during medical school and residency, including brutal schedules, working day after day without enough recovery time, feeling emotionally detached, losing appetite, mental fog, workplace pressure and reaching the point where you simply have nothing left to give. Basically: “I’m fine”, but in burnout font.** Burnout is real, but it’s also complicated. It isn’t a character flaw, it isn’t proof that someone “isn’t resilient enough,” and it shouldn’t automatically be used to explain every symptom someone experiences. Sometimes the question isn’t: “Why can’t I handle this?” It’s: “What has changed that is making it so hard for me to function?” And sometimes the answer is that no amount of color-coded planners can fix doing the workload of three people. 🎧 Watch the full episode and tell us in the comments: What was the first sign that made you realize you were actually burned out—not just tired or having a bad week? ⚕️ Educational Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes and is not a substitute for individualized medical or mental health care. Persistent, severe or concerning symptoms deserve evaluation by an appropriate healthcare professional. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis or is in immediate danger, seek emergency assistance. In the U.S., you can call or text 988** to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. #Burnout #WorkplaceBurnout #FunnyMedicinePodcast THIS PODCAST IS FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT SUBSTITUTE FOR PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE. 🔔 Subscribe so you never miss an episode → https://linktr.ee/funnymedicine Support the show • Drop a comment with your questions or stories Instagram & Threads: @funnymedicinepodcast Twitter/X: @FunnyMedPod TikTok: @funnymedicinepodcast 📚 Sources listed in YouTube video version of this episode.

Sleep Divorce: Why Couples Sleep Separately (Snoring, Insomnia, OSA, RLS) | Funny Medicine Yvy and Julie discuss “sleep divorce,” the choice for couples to sleep in separate beds or rooms to improve rest without ending the relationship, noting it’s common and growing in the U.S. They review survey data showing about one-third of Americans sleep separately at least occasionally, with millennials leading, and cite a ResMed survey reporting widespread partner sleep disruption from snoring. They explain sleep stages, how partners influence sleep, and the pros and cons of co-sleeping, including oxytocin benefits versus health harms from disrupted sleep. Medical drivers covered include obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), restless legs syndrome and periodic limb movement disorder, insomnia, and mismatched chronotypes, plus relationship effects of sleep deprivation on conflict, stress hormones, and inflammation. They recommend addressing underlying causes first (OSA screening, sleep study, CPAP, CBT-I), trying practical fixes (separate duvets, white noise, earplugs), and making any sleep separation intentional. 00:00 Awkward Cold Open 00:14 Introducing Sleep Divorce 00:50 Rebranding The Term 01:41 What Sleep Divorce Means 02:44 Origins And History 03:31 Scandinavian Sleep Method 04:46 How Common It Is 07:10 Science Of Co Sleeping 09:24 Medical Causes OSA 11:30 Restless Legs And Kicking 13:51 Insomnia And Circadian Mismatch 14:58 Chronotypes and Sleep Divorce 16:04 Sleep Loss and Fighting 17:00 Science of Sleep Relationship Loop 18:54 Benefits of Sleeping Apart 20:45 Risks and Loneliness Tradeoffs 23:03 Medical Steps Before Divorce 24:19 Making It Intentional 25:59 Bottom Line and Rebrand 28:06 Wrap Up and Goodbye

Hormone Pellets: Benefits, FDA Warnings, Side Effects & What ACOG Says | Funny Medicine On the Funny Medicine podcast, Yvy and Julie return to discuss hormone pellets, a controversial wellness trend popular on social media and in cities like Miami. They explain what pellets are, how they’re implanted under the skin for 3–6 months, and why the inability to remove or titrate dosing drives major medical concerns. They review the history of pellets from 1930s research, contrast pellets with standard hormone replacement therapy, and describe how perimenopause/menopause symptoms and the 2002 WHI backlash contributed to demand. They cite studies showing supraphysiologic hormone levels with pellets, higher side-effect rates than FDA-approved therapy, and FDA/NASEM concerns including thousands of unreported adverse events. They summarize positions from ACOG, the Menopause Society, and the Endocrine Society, and share questions patients should ask before considering pellets.