What's That Rash?

You might've heard you'll burn more fat if you exercise in the morning before, or in lieu of breakfast. There is some research to back that claim up, but the science on fasted exercise isn’t clear cut. Norman and Tegan work through the evidence on exercising on an empty stomach, and what you can do to maximise your workouts. References: Effects of fasted vs fed-state exercise on performance and po...

Sit back and relax. Close your eyes. Imagine you're sitting on a calm beach. Now, do you feel more open to suggestion? Hypnotherapy has been around for centuries, and you might've heard about it being used for everything from PTSD to addiction and even IBS. Norman and Tegan guide us through the evidence for using hypnosis in a therapeutic setting, and whether there are any downsides. References: B...

As we age, levels of a vital molecule called nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) decline. Could reversing this be the key to eternal youth? There’s huge interest in NAD-boosting supplements like nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN). But is there good evidence that they can help us live longer, healthier? Norman and Tegan unpack how NAD+ became the focus of anti-aging proponents. This episode fir...

Shift workers make a lot of sacrifices to keep the world running. What are they sacrificing in terms of their own health? There are harms associated with working at all hours against your body clock. Norman and Tegan work through what those are, and what you can do to protect against them. References: 5 long-term health effects of shift work Shift work can harm sleep and health: What helps? Coping...

When you're done with your weekly grocery shop, how colourful is your trolley? We know eating lots of fruits and vegetables is good for you, but colour could matter. Norman and Tegan discuss what gives fruit and veggies their hue and whether it's important when it comes to healthy eating. References: Phytonutrients: Paint your plate with the colours of the rainbow Clinical Evidence of the Benefits...

How much time does your oral hygiene routine take? You brush, floss, interdent, maybe even use a tongue scraper. Is using a mouthwash going to give you any additional benefit? Or could you be doing some harm? Norman and Tegan answer questions about the effectiveness of mouthwash, what it does to your oral microbiome and why there might be a link to blood pressure. References: Oral microbiome: Unve...

Continuous glucose monitors, or CGMs, have transformed how people with diabetes manage their blood sugar. But in wellness circles, more and more people without diabetes are being encouraged to try these devices. Norman and Tegan get to the bottom of what these devices can actually tell you, and the potential harms. References: The wellness inspired rise of continuous glucose monitors for people wi...

Not many people would argue that rest isn’t important, but how would you define a rest day? For an elite athlete a rest day could be going for a long walk. For your average person it could mean sitting on the couch. Norman and Tegan ask – why is rest important, and do you need it to make progress in the gym? References: 'No pain, no gain' debunked: Why post-exercise soreness is not essential for b...

Have you ever spritzed your pillow with lavender and wondered, is this actually doing anything? There are some surprising ways that smells can affect sleep, and it might have something to do with how our brains work. Norman and Tegan discuss how smells, good and bad, could affect your nightly snooze. References: From antiquity to modern hygiene: the archaeological and medicinal legacy of lavender...

Do you feel better after a good cry, or do you feel worse than ever? There can be a lot to cry about, good or bad: a break-up, a milestone, a tragedy, a sappy movie. Norman and Tegan discuss why we evolved to cry, and the purpose it serves as we get older. References: The Riddle of Human Emotional Crying: A Challenge for Emotion Researchers The neurobiology of human crying Emotional expression in...

You might be hearing a lot about ultra-processed foods, or UPFs, and how we should all be avoiding them. But you might be struggling with figuring out what exactly IS an ultra-processed food. Sweetened drinks, sure. What about bread? Yoghurt? Norman and Tegan unpack why it isn’t a simple question, and where the evidence stands on the health consequences. *A previous version of this episode may hav...

The modification and removal of body hair has been going on for centuries, but our reasons for it have evolved. Some believe it’s more hygienic to remove, others argue it’s against our nature to be so hairless. Norman and Tegan trim the evidence on body hair: leg, armpit, pubic and even inside your nose. References: Trends in body hair removal as depicted through art Getting plucked: the history o...

Ashwagandha supplements are rising in popularity, but the herb has been used for hundreds of years in Ayurvedic medicine. The supposed benefits are broad – from stress to sleep, athletic performance and boosting testosterone. Norman and Tegan explore where the evidence stands, and uncertainties about potential risks. References: An Overview on Ashwagandha: A Rasayana (Rejuvenator) of Ayurveda Chem...

When you're going through a stressful time it can have knock-on effects on your routine. Sleep, diet, exercise routines can be thrown out of whack. And when that stress goes for weeks or months, it can have a serious impact. Norman and Tegan unpack the various forms of chronic stress, like burnout, and how they can disrupt your health. References: Chronic Stress - ScienceDirect Physiology, Stress...

Sea sickness, car sickness, space sickness – when it comes down to it, it’s all the same. But not everybody suffers the same. Some people are even lucky enough to grow out of motion sickness. Norman and Tegan talk about what’s going on when the world goes topsy-turvy, and what you can do about it. References: Motion Sickness Validating sensory conflict theory and mitigating motion sickness in huma...

Lately there have been lots of scary headlines about cancer rates rising in younger adults. What can you do to drive down your cancer risk? Norman and Tegan offer some practical tips, and discuss what's in your control versus what isn't. References: Overview of cancer in Australia, 2025 - Australian Institute of Health and Welfare Effects of diets on risks of cancer and the mediating role of metab...

Our calcium needs can increase as we age, especially for women going through menopause. Most Australians aren’t getting enough calcium from their diet, so are supplements a good option Norman and Tegan discuss the conflicting evidence on calcium – in particular, could it be good for your bones, but bad for your heart? References: Calcium supplements have 'very little place' in modern medicine - th...

There's a scene in the Devil Wears Prada 2 where a character is so stressed she starts "tapping" to calm herself down. What is this self-soothing technique, and should you try it out? Norman and Tegan talk through what Emotional Freedom Techniques, or tapping is and whether there's any evidence it lowers anxiety. References: How ‘tapping’ is dividing opinion in therapy circles Clinical EFT (Emotio...

Everyone wants a healthy gut, and your microbiome plays a big role in keeping you well. So how do you know your microbiome is in top shape? Are there stinky signs that things are going right, or wrong? Norman and Tegan breeze through the research in this live recording at the World Science Festival Brisbane. References: The Invisible College of Experimental Flatology Explainer: The chemistry of fa...

Cold season is upon us, so it’s no wonder you’re side-eyeing that person coughing on the bus. But does a cough mean someone is still infectious? How do you know you’re in the clear to go back to work? Norman and Tegan talk through the science, and also how attitudes have changed since the COVID-19 pandemic. References: How Long Does a Cough Last? Comparing Patients’ Expectations With Data From a S...

Have you heard the phrases, "aches and pain, coming rains" or about "ill health due to evil winds"?  Many people believe they can feel a change in weather coming on because pain flares in their joints.  Norman and Tegan unpack what could be going on, and whether it's backed by scientific evidence.  References: Associations between weather conditions and osteoarthritis pain: a systematic review and...

It’s good to be on top of your health – but how far would you go to ensure you’re staying healthy? Ads have popped up for full-body MRIs, promising to catch things from cancer to aneurysms. Norman and Tegan scan through the potential benefits and risks of looking inside seemingly healthy bodies.  References: Principles of screening - Cancer Council Incidental Findings and Low-Value Care Prevalence...

You might've heard the qualifier that exercise is good for you – but you need to be progressing that exercise over time. Running further, lifting heavier, exercising for longer. How important is it to up the stakes? Norman and Tegan flex their muscles on progressive training and its benefits. References: Thomas L. DeLorme and the Science of Progressive Resistance Exercise Associations of Muscle Ma...

A cruise ship at the centre of a virus outbreak — sound familiar? Passengers and crew are beginning to disembark the MV Hondius after several cases of hantavirus sent them into quarantine.  The virus is usually caught through contact with infected rodent urine, droppings or saliva. Transmission between humans is rare.  Norman and Tegan answer common questions about the hantavirus, and how it compa...

It’s easy to catch a yawn – you might even yawn while you’re reading this. It’s not just humans that yawn, but all kinds of verterbrates, even fish! But contagious yawning is rarer. Norman and Tegan unpack why we yawn in this live recording at the World Science Festival Brisbane. References: Yawning: no effect of 3-5% CO2, 100% O2, and exercise   Brain size and neuron numbers drive differences in...