Once you go looking, you realise there are scents in everything – from skincare to cleaning supplies to candles. And of course, perfume. Are there any implications to our health from taking in natural and synthetic fragrances from all these products? Norman and Tegan sniff out the evidence when it comes to scent, and whether we should be worried. References: The first chemist in history may have been a female perfumer – here’s how the science of scents has changed since - the Conversation A Smel...
Oct 21, 2025•21 min
Whether you can or not, it feels like a sign of fitness to be able to reach down and touch your toes. But how important is flexibility when it comes to your physical fitness? Is it a necessary part of healthy ageing? Norman and Tegan stretch through the evidence on flexibility – when does it count, and how can you achieve it? References: Genetics of Muscle Stiffness, Muscle Elasticity and Explosive Strength Genetic associations of body composition, flexibility and injury risk with ACE, ACTN3 and...
Oct 14, 2025•22 min
The battle between butter and margarine has been happening since margarine was invented in the 19th century. So have we figured out which one is better for your health – butter with its high saturated fat content, or margarine which is an ultra-processed food? Norman and Tegan unpack the winding history of this debate from its inception to the present day. References: The Butter Wars: When Margarine Was Pink – National Geographic The Butter-Margarine Controversy - 1946 What the margarine vs butt...
Oct 07, 2025•21 min
Do you ever wonder while you’re shampooing and conditioning – is this really necessary? The no-poo movement encourages people to ditch their products and turn to homemade concoctions, or nothing at all. Norman and Tegan rinse out the evidence for and against hair care, and how we got here in the first place. References: Clean: A History of Personal Hygiene and Purity Shampoo and Conditioners: What a Dermatologist Should Know? The "No-poo" Craze: What do Gwyneth Paltrow, Kim Kardashian, Adele and...
Sep 30, 2025•18 min
It’s marathon season, but whether you’re running 40 kilometres or four you might’ve wondered what it’s doing to your joints. It used to be thought things like osteoarthritis of the knee or the hip were caused by wear and tear, and running made things worse. Norman and Tegan jog through how the evidence has evolved, and answer the question: should you be hopping on the run club trend? References: Running and your knees - ABC listen Effects of Running on the Development of Knee Osteoarthritis: An ...
Sep 23, 2025•21 min
A post from Queensland Health has been ridiculed after for urging people not to kiss their pets or let them sleep in the same bed. So how do the risks of pet ownership stack up to the presumed benefits of having a furry (feathery or scaly) friend? Norman and Tegan take a look at the evidence – and some of its flaws – and reignite the age-old cat vs dog debate. References: If you have a pet as a kid, does this lower your risk of asthma and eczema? | WEHI Zoonotic diseases and pets | American Vete...
Sep 16, 2025•21 min
It’s hay fever season, and as you sniffle away next to an air purifier, you might be wondering why we haven’t cured such a common allergy. Allergic rhinitis, as it’s scientifically known, has plagued people for generations. It's thought up to 24 per cent of Australians suffer from it. Norman and Tegan run through what hay fever is, how we identified it and what can be done to treat it. This episode first aired on October 23, 2024. References: Allergic Rhinitis: A Review O Rose thou art sick… his...
Sep 09, 2025•16 min
It’s a tale as old as air travel … you’re off on a whirlwind holiday but spend the first week suffering from fatigue. If you ask anyone about jet lag they’ll have their own tips, but what are some evidence-based ways to reset your body clock? Norman and Tegan talk through some of the ways you can adjust to a totally different timezone. References: Time-zone effects on the long-distance air traveler - 1969 Jet lag syndrome: circadian organization, pathophysiology, and management strategies An Abr...
Sep 02, 2025•21 min
If you haven’t heard of the Don’t Die movement or Bryan Johnson’s Blueprint Protocol, then buckle in. Johnson is a millionaire who is pouring his money into a massive effort to stay as young as possible, for as long as possible. Norman and Tegan unpack the basics of his routine, and some of his whackier attempts to turn back the biological clock. References: DunedinPACE, a DNA methylation biomarker of the pace of aging How old are you really? Are the latest ‘biological age’ tests all they’re cra...
Aug 26, 2025•28 min
You go to make a sandwich and notice mould on the corner of a single slice of bread — we've all been there. So what do you do? Chop off the affected corner? Ditch the single slice and choose bread from further down in the bag? Or chuck the entire bag? Norman and Tegan take on this controversial topic at the World Science Festival in Brisbane. References: Mycotoxin contamination in moldy slices of bread is mostly limited to the immediate vicinity of the visible infestation Aflatoxins - National C...
Aug 19, 2025•19 min
It might be the last thing on your mind when you’re congested and miserable, but we swear it’s a genuine question we get asked. When you’ve got exercise baked into your routine, do you have to take a break when you’re unwell? Norman and Tegan unpack the nuance of exercising when you’re sick – when you can, and when you can’t. References: The compelling link between physical activity and the body's defense system Moderate exercise induces trained immunity in macrophages | American Journal of Phys...
Aug 12, 2025•19 min
It has become pretty common to send off a saliva sample or a cheek swab to find out more about yourself. At-home DNA testing kits offer insights into ancestry, but also claim to be able to tell you your risk of certain diseases, or even give you unique diet advice. Norman and Tegan explore the limits of these kits, and some things you should consider before potentially buying one. References: Understanding Human Genetic Variation What Can At-Home Genetic Tests Tell Me About My Health? - PMC The ...
Aug 05, 2025•23 min
Australians have a long and complicated history with the emu – and the tale continues in the murky wellness space. There are a handful of emu farms still operating locally to harvest meat, oil, eggs and feathers from the flightless birds. Norman and Tegan discuss the growing demand for emu oil, and what it’s claimed to do. References: The Emu: More-Than-Human and More-Than-Animal Geographies Chemical Characterization and In Vivo Toxicological Safety Evaluation of Emu Oil - PMC Review on emu prod...
Jul 29, 2025•20 min
Not everyone is a morning person, and not everyone can stay up past midnight. How hard-wired are our internal schedules? It’s long been suspected there was an evolutionary advantage to humans falling asleep and waking up at different times. Norman and Tegan unpack what are called chronotypes, and whether you can shift yours to better fit your lifestyle. References: Early bird trait might run in families - the Health Report Genetic Basis of Chronotype in Humans: Insights From Three Landmark GWAS ...
Jul 22, 2025•20 min
In a video that went viral, Robert F. Kennedy Jr was seen on a plane dropping a cobalt blue liquid into his drink. People quickly started to assume it was methylene blue, a substance that in some corners is being heralded for apparent anti-ageing properties. Norman and Tegan look at the research that has been done so far … and some of the risks of dosing yourself with unproven medications. References: Efficacy and safety of methylene blue in the treatment of malaria: a systematic review Methylen...
Jul 15, 2025•20 min
You might've been advertised lymphatic massage treatments promising to boost your energy and leave you looking snatched. The lymphatic system is great at clearing out gunk and checking our bodies for potential nasties like bacteria and viruses. Norman and Tegan discuss whether it's possible to have a 'sluggish' lymphatic system in need of help, without having a diagnosable condition. References: Manual lymphatic drainage treatment for lymphedema: a systematic review of the literature Comparative...
Jul 08, 2025•21 min
Some people might be naturally blessed with pearly whites, but many people aren’t happy with the shade of their teeth. There’s nothing inherently unhealthy about yellower teeth, and staining happens throughout our lives. Norman and Tegan unpack the long history of teeth whitening (with everything from urine to nitric acid) and discuss where there’s potential for harm. References: From Gunpowder to Teeth Whitener: The Science Behind Historic Uses of Urine Shades of white: what you should know abo...
Jul 01, 2025•19 min
Coffee has been an important part of human cultures for centuries, and it has a long history of being both heralded and demonised. But the more we learn about coffee – even independent from caffeine – the more that comes to light about its potential benefits. Norman and Tegan drink in the evidence so far, which gets down to the nitty gritty of brewing techniques and milk additions. References: Coffee - The Nutrition Source - Harvard School of Public Health Coffee consumption and risk of endometr...
Jun 24, 2025•19 min
There tend to be more bugs around in winter making everyone snotty and uncomfortable. But does this mean that cold weather causes colds? Well no, viruses cause the common cold. But, as Norman and Tegan explain, winter does set the stage for those viruses to have more moments in the spotlight. References: Understanding the symptoms of the common cold and influenza - PMC Cold temperature and low humidity are associated with increased occurrence of respiratory tract infections - ScienceDirect Immun...
Jun 17, 2025•21 min
Organic fruits and vegetables are one thing, but the label is popping up on packaged foods too. Are they healthier for us because they’re certified organic? How much harm are pesticides doing to our health? Norman and Tegan dig into organic farming to find out whether they’re worth the extra price. References: Organic Certification Explained Pesticides | Food Standards Australia New Zealand Pesticides impacts on human health and the environment with their mechanisms of action and possible counte...
Jun 10, 2025•19 min
What is silence, anyway? Well if you’ve got tinnitus silence can feel like a distant dream. There are many causes of the ringing or buzzing that many people hear despite there being no external sound. Norman and Tegan discuss some of the treatments – current and in the works – that could one day bring some peace and quiet. References: Intrinsic network activity in tinnitus investigated using functional MRI Auditory Resting-State Network Connectivity in Tinnitus: A Functional MRI Study | PLOS One...
Jun 03, 2025•21 min
If you're a keen gym-goer you might've heard conflicting advice about optimising your workout. Some people claim that doing both cardio (getting your heart pumping) and strength (getting those muscles pumping) on the same day might cancel out the benefits. Norman and Tegan unpack what concurrent training is, and what the evidence tells us about its effects. References A Brief Review on Concurrent Training: From Laboratory to the Field - PMC Concurrent Training: A Meta-Analysis Examining Interfer...
May 27, 2025•18 min
Are you constantly getting scolded for pressing your cold feet against your partner in bed? Or told your hands are icy cold? It’s well known that some people run cold and others run hot. But why does this happen, and does it say anything about your health? Norman and Tegan unpack the physiology and get into some of the reasons we experience temperature differently. References: Individual differences in normal body temperature: longitudinal big data analysis of patient records | The BMJ Gender Ma...
May 20, 2025•20 min
You might've heard a friend complaining about their latest break-out and swearing off dairy products as a result. Or that friend might be you. It’s a common complaint, but does it have any scientific merit? Norman and Tegan explore whether consuming dairy can cause acne, and if so, how a glass of milk might lead to pimples. References: The Influence of Genetics and Environmental Factors in the Pathogenesis of Acne: A Twin Study of Acne in Women Patient Perceptions About Acne, Nutrition, and a Di...
May 13, 2025•20 min
You might’ve been told by parents, teachers, colleagues, friends of friends to stop cracking your knuckles because it will give you arthritis. There’s a surprising amount of science going on when you crack a joint, and it suggests there’s very little risk of harming your bones. But as Norman and Tegan explain, there is one major risk – you could irritate everybody around you. References: Mathematical Model for the Sounds Produced by Knuckle Cracking | Scientific Reports Does knuckle cracking lea...
May 06, 2025•13 min
When weighing up the health risks of getting a tattoo, most people are concerned about the risk infection. But recently the ingredients in tattoo ink have come under the microscope, with some being identified as potential carcinogens. Norman and Tegan take a look at the many substances used to create permanent art, and whether they carry any real harm to humans. References: Why Tattoos Stay Put | UCSF Synapse What's in my ink: an analysis of commercial tattoo ink on the US market - PMC Much ‘tat...
Apr 29, 2025•20 min
The carnivore diet asks people to eat entirely animal-based, and the most extreme followers restrict themselves to only meat. Many carnivores claims they feel great — better than they ever have. They have more energy and lose weight. Norman and Tegan tuck into the reasons why carnivores feel better in the short-term, and the dangers they're inviting in the long-term. References: Behavioral Characteristics and Self-Reported Health Status among 2029 Adults Consuming a “Carnivore Diet” - Current De...
Apr 22, 2025•22 min
Hot flashes. Night sweats. Aching joints. Sore boobs. Welcome to your body in perimenopause! In episode one of this four-part series, Yumi Stynes speaks to women in the thick of perimenopause and battling physical symptoms. She also sits down with Dr Susan Davis, endocrinologist and world-leading expert on sex hormones and ageing to learn the best treatments for bothersome symptoms and how look after yourself in this stage of life. No sweat! Essential listening if you're going through perimenopa...
Apr 17, 2025•31 min
Do you find yourself complaining that you've got a small bladder, as you run to the toilet for the third time in an hour? There are many reasons a person might pee more than others, including some scary medical conditions. But as Norman and Tegan explain, in most cases your bladder is just deconditioned and you need to get your urinary tract into shape. References: Bladder control: Lifestyle strategies ease problems A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial of a product contain...
Apr 15, 2025•18 min
Microplastics are everywhere – they’re in the air, in the water and in our bodies. There’s plenty of evidence for that, but it’s still unclear what effects these microplastics are having on our health. Norman and Tegan unpack what we do and don’t know about these tiny specs of plastic, and what you might be able to do about them. References: Ingested microplastics: Do humans eat one credit card per week? A review of the endocrine disrupting effects of micro and nano plastic and their associated ...
Apr 08, 2025•21 min
