TLDR;
Doctor Mike reacts to "SubwayTakes," a series of unfiltered opinions, offering medical insights and humorous commentary. The discussions range from germophobia and hygiene habits to controversial health takes, like whether smoking can be healthy if paired with exercise. He also touches on skincare, hydration, therapy, and general health curiosity, often disagreeing with extreme viewpoints and providing balanced, science-backed perspectives.
- Dogs wearing shoes is unnecessary for hygiene.
- Male gynecologists can be as competent as female gynecologists.
- Shoes are often poorly designed for foot health.
- Air travel is not surgery and shouldn't be treated as such.
- Smoking is not okay, even with exercise.
- Skincare is effective and necessary for some.
- Drinking too much water is not a common problem.
- The order in which you wash your body in the shower doesn't matter.
- Therapy is not about enabling bad behavior.
- Walking barefoot through TSA is unhygienic.
- People should be more curious about their bodies.
- Sharing underwear is generally not acceptable.
Dogs Should Wear Shoes? [0:09]
The discussion starts with the opinion that dogs should wear shoes, even at home, to prevent tracking germs. Doctor Mike counters that bringing a dog into your environment inherently makes it less sterile, regardless of shoes. He argues that eliminating all bacteria is not helpful and that washing hands and avoiding excessive face licking from dogs is sufficient. He also jokes about the unhygienic habits of dogs, such as licking butts, and the comparison to human behavior.
Germophobia and Hygiene Habits [1:22]
The conversation shifts to germophobia, with one person expressing concerns about head grease in movie theaters and the need to wash hands before and after urinating. Doctor Mike notes the risk of developing eczema from excessive hand washing and emphasizes the importance of washing hands before handling one's genitals.
Male Gynecologists [2:47]
The discussion tackles the opinion that men should not be gynecologists because they don't have the body part they are studying. Doctor Mike strongly disagrees, arguing that expertise doesn't require personal experience. He points out that some patients prefer male gynecologists for their perceived gentleness and emphasizes that competence is about being a good doctor, regardless of gender. He also notes that some doctors may simply enjoy delivering babies.
Shoes Design and Foot Health [3:48]
The conversation shifts to the opinion that shoes are not designed to fit feet properly, leading to issues like bunions and corns. Doctor Mike agrees that many shoes are bad for feet and explains what a corn is and how it can be treated. He recommends shoes with wide toe boxes and suggests toe physical therapy, such as using yoga toes or picking up a towel with your toes.
Feet Rating and Air Travel [5:40]
The discussion takes a humorous turn as they check Doctor Mike's rating on wikiFeet (4.94 stars) and compare it to MrBeast's (4.99 stars). The conversation then shifts to the idea that air travel should be treated like surgery, with the person wanting to be anesthetized for flights. Doctor Mike acknowledges that many people already use benzodiazepines like Xanax to cope with flying, but he discourages this practice unless there is a genuine fear of flying.
Smoking and Health [6:51]
The discussion covers the controversial opinion that smoking is okay if you walk a lot. Doctor Mike strongly disagrees, emphasizing that smoking is detrimental to health, regardless of exercise. He references a previous guest, Gundry, who made a similar claim and highlights the significant public health benefits of reducing smoking. The interviewee shares that he has been smoking for over 60 years and has run marathons, but Doctor Mike insists that this is an outlier and not a basis for health advice.
Skincare and Hydration [8:11]
The discussion addresses the opinion that skincare doesn't work and that drinking water is sufficient. Doctor Mike disagrees, calling it an "entitled take" from someone with naturally good skin. He explains that skincare products, while often temporary, can be effective treatments, especially when paired with hydration. He cautions against excessive electrolyte consumption from products like Liquid IV, which can lead to high blood pressure. He also clarifies that certain skincare ingredients work by helping the skin retain water.
Water Consumption [10:23]
The conversation shifts to the opinion that people are drinking too much water. Doctor Mike disagrees, arguing that most people don't drink enough. He refutes the idea that increased water consumption correlates with worsening health, explaining that improved acute disease care has led to longer lifespans but also more chronic health problems. He also suggests that people are overly afraid of being thirsty.
Shower Habits [11:33]
The discussion explores the idea that the first place you wash in the shower says everything about you. Doctor Mike states that medically, it doesn't matter where you start, as long as you wash thoroughly within five minutes, avoid excessively hot water, and don't urinate in the shower.
Therapy and Behavior [12:38]
The discussion addresses the opinion that therapy enables bad behavior because therapists are paid to support you. Doctor Mike strongly disagrees, explaining that therapy is about understanding and changing behaviors, improving relationships, and achieving self-sufficiency. He emphasizes that a good therapist aims to help you become stable and independent, not just encourage constant visits.
TSA and Hygiene [13:45]
The discussion covers the opinion that people who walk through TSA barefoot should be banned from travel. Doctor Mike agrees, calling it unhygienic and a "pathogen heaven." He warns of the risk of contracting athlete's foot or plantar warts from the bacteria and fungi present on the TSA floor.
Curiosity About Bodies [14:31]
The discussion explores the idea that people should be more curious about their bodies. Doctor Mike disagrees, but emphasizes the importance of being empowered to learn about your body so you can participate in medical decisions. He also notes that annual physicals may not be sufficient for everyone, especially those with preexisting conditions.
Sharing Underwear [15:08]
The discussion addresses the opinion that people should be allowed to share underwear. Doctor Mike clarifies that sharing washed underwear is different from sharing worn underwear, which he finds unacceptable. He compares it to using hotel mattresses, which are generally safe because they are cleaned and disinfected.
