You’ve probably come across his familiar face, challenging pseudoscience and debunking health myths. Dr Karan Raj, better known as the TikTok sensation with millions of followers, stands out as one of the few reliable social media experts. This Hampshire-based NHS surgeon, whose full name is Dr Karan Rangarajan, shares engaging videos that tackle the never-ending stream of misinformation circulating on the internet. Through detailed yet easily digestible information, Dr Karan explains the body’s peculiar mechanisms and aims to make people more informed about their health. His journey began in 2012 when he started posting videos on YouTube, focusing on practical explanations for students and medical professionals. From taking a patient’s medical history to removing kidney stones, Dr Karan covered various topics. However, he shifted his platform to TikTok in November 2019 to disseminate public health information more effectively. As millions turned to their phones and developed a heightened interest in health during the Covid-19 lockdowns, Dr Karan seized the opportunity to combat the growing epidemic of misinformation online, particularly surrounding topics like colonic cleanses and vaccines.
Dr Karan, an NHS doctor registered with the General Medical Council (GMC), considers social media as an extension of his duty to promote public health. His early viral video warned against wearing gloves during the pandemic, as he demonstrated how germs could be transferred on the gloves. This video went viral, garnering attention from numerous media outlets worldwide. Inspired by the power of social media, Dr Karan continues to debunk various health myths, such as the belief that lemon juice can combat acid reflux or the misconception surrounding deviated spectrum. His videos cover a wide range of medical topics, including women’s health, neuroscience, and gut health. Dr Karan’s approach is driven by his insatiable curiosity and his desire to share intriguing information with his audience.
Debunking health misinformation isn’t a simple task, as Dr Karan has experienced firsthand. Topics like vaccines and Covid-19 are particularly contentious, and changing people’s minds can be challenging due to deeply ingrained beliefs and the proliferation of misinformation on social media and other online platforms. However, Dr Karan remains optimistic and believes that he can chip away at pseudoscience, one person at a time. By presenting scientific evidence without being condescending, he hopes to give his audience the knowledge they need to make informed decisions. His ultimate goal is to witness a shift in people’s perspectives, as he did when a Reddit user shared their journey from being an anti-vaxxer to getting the Covid-19 vaccine and recommending it to others.
Dr Karan has also encountered health misinformation outside of the online space. Patients often come to him with inaccurate understandings of various conditions, influenced by celebrity doctors or bestselling books. For instance, one patient believed that eating seeds or nuts would get stuck in their diverticular disease, a misconception they learned from a popular book written by a British ex-doctor turned pseudo scientist. Such myths exist everywhere and can affect people’s decisions in real life.
In addition to his work as a surgeon and TikTok influencer, Dr Karan enjoys spending time with his English Mastiff, Shadow, during his weekends. He keeps his interaction with social media limited to creating and posting videos rather than mindlessly scrolling through content. Dr Karan also emphasizes the benefits of napping, a practice that has been supported by scientific research. He believes that humans have a natural biphasic sleeping pattern, experiencing dips in energy around 10pm and 1pm, making it an ideal time for a nap. However, he advises avoiding napping too close to bedtime to prevent sleep disturbances. Naps have been shown to improve cognition, memory, and learning, making them scientifically proven as a beneficial habit.
Dr Karan’s journey to becoming a surgeon began with his educational experiences in different countries. Born in Mumbai, he moved to Nairobi, Hong Kong, and London during his early years. It was a combination of excelling in science at school and hearing stories from his mother, a haematologist, that sparked his interest in medicine. Dr Karan attended Westminster School in London before studying medicine at Imperial College. Despite his demanding schedule as an NHS doctor, he manages to balance work and personal interests like hosting FIFA tournaments, playing cricket, working out, gardening, baking, and of course, napping.
In conclusion, Dr Karan Raj, the TikTok phenomenon, stands out as a reliable and engaging source of health information amidst a sea of misinformation. His informative videos and dedication to combating pseudoscience make him a valuable asset in the online health community.
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