Did our ancestors treat spooky ghost possession? And how creepy are Gu? Just in time for Halloween, in this episode, Dr. Lorraine Wilcox takes Gretchen down a path interweaving metaphysical beliefs with creepy crawly bodily infestations as they travel two millennia back in time to understand the historical and cultural significance of Ghosts and Gu in East Asian medicine. Did all doctors believe in ghosts? And how does someone know if they’re infested with Gu?
Lorraine and Gretchen explore the origins of these concepts, their evolution over time, and how they intersect with traditional healing practices. The conversation delves into the role of ancestors, the definition of Gu, and the surprising gender dynamics surrounding these beliefs. They discuss historical treatments and modern interpretations of Gu since the Ming and Qing dynasties, emphasizing the ongoing relevance of these ancient ideas in contemporary society, and explore Gu’s intersection with ghostly beliefs. They discuss the role of women in traditional medicine, and how cultural interpretations and social norms shape our understanding of mental illness and aberrant behavior. Lorraine even shares stories where doctors pondered how to deal with patients who dreamed about risqué interactions with ghosts!
As is her specialty, Lorraine gives illuminating scholarly insight into ancient practices and takes us on a journey leading to modern medical contexts, emphasizing the importance of preserving historical knowledge while adapting it for contemporary use.
Learn more about Dr. Wilcox on her YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@LorraineWilcox/videos
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