Autism Doesn’t End at Childhood. Here’s the Reality

Autism Doesn’t End at Childhood. Here’s the Reality

A listener named Victoria wants to know what comes next for her autistic teenage son. This week on Paging Dr. Gupta, we look at how the needs of autistic kids change as they grow up. Plus, common misconceptions about independence, college, and work for autistic teens and adults, with insight from autism researcher and Arizona State University professor Dr. Joshua Anbar.  If you want to get a glimpse into the lives of Victoria and Mason, see this photo essay. [https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/26/health/autism-spectrum-life-mason-wellness]   This episode was produced by Jennifer Lai and Kyra Dahring.   Showrunner: Amanda Sealy  Senior Producer: Dan Bloom  Technical Director: Dan Dzula  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

What You’ve Wanted to Know About Autism but Were Too Afraid to Ask

In response to a listener's call about her autistic son, Dr. Sanjay Gupta invited leading autism researcher Dr. Matthew Lerner, Director of the Social Connections and Treatment Lab at the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute, to break down how our understanding of autism has changed, what it means to be “on the spectrum” and why diagnoses are on the rise. The conversation continues next Tuesday on Paging Dr. Gupta, where Sanjay explores what growing up and transitioning into adulthood really looks like for autistic people. Our show was produced by Jennifer Lai and Kyra Dahring Medical Writer: Andrea Kane Showrunner: Amanda Sealy  Senior Producer: Dan Bloom Technical Director: Dan Dzula Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

What Happens When Mom-To-Be Smokes Weed While Pregnant?

Can using cannabis help women manage health issues related to endometriosis and perimenopause? Should women use weed while pregnant or breast feeding? CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr Sanjay Gupta tackles some of your health questions regarding weed and women.  Learn more about the effects of cannabis on women, by watching the latest installment of Dr. Gupta’s documentary series, Weed 8: Weed and Women, available stream now on the CNN app. This episode was produced by Andrea Kane and Leying Tang Showrunner: Amanda Sealy Senior Producer: Dan Bloom Technical Director: Dan Dzula Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

How Hypnosis May Be More Real, and Powerful, Than You Think

Most people might think hypnosis is just stage tricks. But the science tells a different story. Dr. Sanjay Gupta talks with Stanford’s Dr. David Spiegel about how clinical hypnosis may help with pain, anxiety, and bad habits. He also explains why elite athletes use it to improve focus and performance, and how you might be able to use it yourself. Producer: Kyra Dahring Medical Writer: Andrea Kane Showrunner: Amanda Sealy  Senior Producer: Dan Bloom Technical Director: Dan Dzula Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

Do Astronauts Float Around While They Sleep?

Four astronauts returned to Earth recently, after a historic 10-day lunar flyby mission in which they ventured farther into space than any human has before. They were part of Artemis II, NASA’s flight to test how well the agency’s Orion spacecraft, and the astronauts, operate in deep space — all in preparation for longer-term trips to the moon and beyond. CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr Sanjay Gupta answers some of your health-related questions about the mission, including: How do they sleep in zero gravity? What’s up with all those hot sauces? This episode was produced by Leying Tang and Andrea Kane   Showrunner: Amanda Sealy  Senior Producer: Dan Bloom Technical Director: Dan Dzula Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]