What's That Rash?

How much social connection do we really need? This conversation explores the difference between solitude, loneliness and social anxiety, from friendship networks and casual encounters to brain aging and physical health. It also looks at how relationships exercise cognitive skills, why isolation can disrupt self-care, and where gut-directed hypnotherapy fits into managing IBS symptoms.

Does exercising before breakfast really burn more fat? Norman Swan and Tegan Taylor explore fasted cardio, morning workouts, workout duration, performance, hunger, weight loss and recovery nutrition. They also discuss when eating beforehand helps, what to eat after training, and why a sustainable exercise routine matters more than perfect meal timing.

Can hypnosis ease pain, IBS symptoms, PTSD, or nicotine cravings? Norman and Tegan explore hypnotherapy’s journey from mysticism and stage acts to modern clinical practice, including suggestibility, brain activity, and placebo effects. They also discuss potential risks, responsible treatment, and why choosing a qualified practitioner matters.

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 first aired on November 4, 2024.References:NAD+ metabolism and its roles in cellular processes during ageingNAD+ in Brain Aging and Neurodegenerative DisordersWhat is really known about the effects of nicotinamide riboside supplementation in humansDietary Supplementation With NAD+-Boosting Compounds in Humans: Current Knowledge and Future DirectionsThe use of a systems approach to increase NAD+ in human participantsSpecific ablation of Nampt in adult neural stem cells recapitulates their functional defects during aging

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 with shift work Shift work and health outcomes: an umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses of epidemiological studiesShift work and long work hours and their association with chronic health conditions: A systematic review of systematic reviews with meta-analysesRelationship between long-term shift work; night work; sleep deficiency and stroke: A systematic review and meta-analysis Shifting Rhythms: A Systematic Review Exploring the Multifaceted Effects of Shift Work and Circadian Disruption on Employee Cardiovascular HealthExercise interventions for sleep and cognitive dysfunction in shift workers: a systematic review of randomized trials If you enjoyed this episode, check these out!What is the perfect nap duration?Chronotypes: early birds vs night owlsWhy do some people pee more often?

Can the colours in your shopping trolley reveal what’s good for you? Explore the pigments behind fruits and vegetables, from red lycopene and orange carotenoids to green, blue and purple compounds. The discussion also covers phytochemicals, food preparation, fermentation, olive oil, supplements and why variety matters more than chasing the brightest produce. Plus, curious listener questions about smells, sleep and earworms.

Mouthwash promises a fresher, cleaner mouth, but does it really add much to brushing and flossing? Explore its effects on plaque, the oral microbiome and fluoride, plus the debated connection with blood pressure and oral cancer. The discussion also turns to a listener’s personal experiment comparing glucose monitors.

Continuous glucose monitors are moving beyond diabetes and into gyms, wellness routines, and weight-loss plans. The discussion explores what glucose spikes, energy slumps, and “time in range” can really reveal, plus possible applications in prediabetes and PCOS. It also examines the risks of constant tracking, restrictive eating, and compulsive checking, and asks whether healthy people need these devices at all.

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 building muscleSkeletal muscle and resistance exercise training; the role of protein synthesis in recovery and remodelingEffects of Different Between Test Rest Intervals in Reproducibility of the 10-Repetition Maximum Load Test: A Pilot Study with Recreationally Resistance Trained MenThe time course for elevated muscle protein synthesis following heavy resistance exercise Recovery and Performance in Sport: Consensus Statement Effects of Consecutive Versus Non-consecutive Days of Resistance Training on Strength, Body Composition, and Red Blood Cells Nonconsecutive versus consecutive-day resistance training in recreationally trained subjects Fatigue, pain, and the recovery of neuromuscular function after consecutive days of full-body resistance exercise in trained men Effects of Consecutive Days of Exercise and Recovery on Muscle Mechanical Function How much is too much? (Part 1) International Olympic Committee consensus statement on load in sport and risk of injury  If you enjoyed this episode, check these out!Is retirement bad for you?Do the benefits of creatine go beyond the gym?Diet vs exercise: which is more important?

They explore how scents like lavender might influence sleep and anxiety. They describe smell training and how odors can become Pavlovian sleep cues. They discuss whether smells can wake or rouse sleepers and share a trick using surprise vials to reset insomnia. They review research linking scents to dreaming and behaviour change.