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 products for use as complementary and alternative medicine - ScienceDirect 
• Anti-inflammatory activity of emu oils in rats | Inflammopharmacology
• Emu Oil Combined with Lyprinol™ Reduces Small Intestinal Damage in a Rat Model of Chemotherapy-Induced Mucositis
• Emu oil expedites small intestinal repair following 5-fluorouracil-induced mucositis in rats
• Vitamins and fatty acids against chemotherapy-induced intestinal mucositis
• Emu Oil and zinc monoglycerolate independently reduce disease severity in a rat model of ulcerative colitis
• Orally administered emu oil attenuates disease in a mouse model of Crohn's-like colitis
• Emu Oil reduces disease severity in a mouse model of chronic ulcerative colitis
• Emu oil enhances cutaneous wound healing by modulating inflammation through promoting macrophage M2 polarization via MAPK signaling pathway
• Effects of Topical Emu Oil on Burn Wounds in the Skin of Balb/c Mice
• Preparation and evaluation of minoxidil foamable emu oil emulsion
• Comparative effects of emu and olive oil on aortic early atherosclerosis and associated risk factors in hypercholesterolemic hamsters
• Emu oil decreases atherogenic plaque formation in cafeteria diet-induced obese rats 

If you enjoyed this episode, check these out!

• Should we all be vegetarian?
• Infrared, ultraviolet and LED therapy – can lights cure us?
• Can collagen supplements keep your skin supple?

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
• A Length Polymorphism in the Circadian Clock Gene Per3 is Linked to Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome and Extreme Diurnal Preference
• Chronotype variation drives night-time sentinel-like behaviour in hunter–gatherers | Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences
• Mindful larks and lonely owls: The relationship between chronotype, mental health, sleep quality, and social support in young adults
• A systematic review of circadian function, chronotype and chronotherapy in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder | ADHD Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorders
• How to Become a Morning Person - Sleep Foundation
• Resetting the late timing of ‘night owls’ has a positive impact on mental health and performance
• Chronotype changes with age; seven-year follow-up from the Netherlands study of depression and anxiety cohort
• From early birds to night owls: a longitudinal study of actigraphy-assessed sleep trajectories during the transition from pre- to early adolescence
• The morality of larks and owls: unethical behavior depends on chronotype as well as time of day

Check out our other sleep episodes!

• What is the perfect nap duration?
• Rapid-fire round: Answering your sleep questions
• Can you train yourself to sleep less?
• Is melatonin the answer to a good night's sleep?

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
• Methylene blue as antidote for cyanide poisoning - JAMA
• Cellular and Molecular Actions of Methylene Blue in the Nervous System
• Methylene Blue: The Little-Known Disinfectant
• The Potentials of Methylene Blue as an Anti-Aging Drug - PMC
• Is methylene blue really a brain booster? A pharmacologist explains the science
• From Mitochondrial Function to Neuroprotection—an Emerging Role for Methylene Blue | Molecular Neurobiology
• Anti-Aging Potentials of Methylene Blue for Human Skin Longevity | Scientific Reports
• What to know about methylene blue - Harvard Health 
• Toxicology and carcinogenesis studies of methylene blue trihydrate (Cas No. 7220-79-3) in F344/N rats and B6C3F1 mice
• Chromoendoscopy with methylene blue and associated DNA damage in Barrett's oesophagus - The Lancet
• Generation of oxidant stress in cultured endothelial cells by methylene blue: protective effects of glucose and ascorbic acid - ScienceDirect
• The photodynamic and direct actions of methylene blue on mitochondrial energy metabolism: A balance of the useful and harmful effects of this photosensitizer

If you enjoyed this episode, check these out!

• How worried should you be about microplastics?
• Is NAD+ a miracle anti-ageing supplement?

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 Effects of Facial Roller and Gua Sha Massage on Facial Contour, Muscle Tone, and Skin Elasticity: Randomized Controlled Trial
• Comparison of the Immediate Effect of Petrissage Massage and Manual Lymph Drainage Following Exercise on Biomechanical and Viscoelastic Properties of the Rectus Femoris Muscle in Women
• The Effects of Kinect-Enhanced Lymphatic Exercise Intervention on Lymphatic Pain, Swelling, and Lymph Fluid Level
• Exercise and the lymphatic system | MD Anderson Cancer Center 

If you enjoyed this episode, check these out!

• Can collagen supplements keep your skin supple?
• Which hair loss treatments actually work?

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 about teeth whitening - The University of Sydney
• White wine can stain teeth - Nature
• Do different bleaching protocols affect the enamel microhardness? - PMC 
• Assessment of cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of conventional and whitening kinds of toothpaste on oral mucosa cells: Acta Odontologica Scandinavica
• Accidental ingestion of 35% hydrogen peroxide - PMC

If you enjoyed this episode, check these out!

• How risky is sharing a toothbrush?
• Why are people taping their mouths?

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 endometrial cancer: Findings from a large up-to-date meta-analysis
• Caffeinated and Decaffeinated Coffee Consumption and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and a Dose-Response Meta-analysis
• Coffee consumption and risk of stroke in women
• Caffeine, Mental Health, and Psychiatric Disorders
• Association of Coffee Drinking With Mortality by Genetic Variation in Caffeine Metabolism: Findings From the UK Biobank
• Physical characteristics of the paper filter and low cafestol content filter coffee brews - ScienceDirect 
• Coffee consumption and mortality from cardiovascular diseases and total mortality: Does the brewing method matter? | European Journal of Preventive Cardiology
• Phenolic Acid–Amino Acid Adducts Exert Distinct Immunomodulatory Effects in Macrophages Compared to Parent Phenolic Acids | Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 
• The deep, rich and problematic history of coffee in Australia and worldwide - ABC News

If you enjoyed this episode, check these out!

• Am I addicted to caffeine?
• Can consuming dairy really give you acne?
• A single glass of red wine for your health, yeah or nah?

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 
• Immune system of cold-exposed and cold-adapted humans | European Journal of Applied Physiology
• Immune changes in humans during cold exposure: effects of prior heating and exercise
• Cold exposure impairs extracellular vesicle swarm–mediated nasal antiviral immunity - Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology 
• Airborne transmission efficiency of SARS-CoV-2 in Syrian hamsters is not influenced by environmental conditions | npj Viruses

If you enjoyed this episode, check these out!

• Norman tried an ice bath so you don't have to
• Is NAD+ a miracle anti-ageing supplement?

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 countermeasures - ScienceDirect
• Global analysis shows how pesticides leach into the environment - The University of Sydney
• Ecological impacts and management strategies of pesticide pollution on aquatic life and human beings - ScienceDirect
• A Systematic Review of Organic Versus Conventional Food Consumption: Is There a Measurable Benefit on Human Health?
• Cellulose Surface Nanoengineering for Visualizing Food Safety
• Comparison of Different Home/Commercial Washing Strategies for Ten Typical Pesticide Residue Removal Effects in Kumquat, Spinach and Cucumber

If you enjoyed this episode, check these out!

• Should we all be vegetarian?
• Can you adapt to allergies or does the dog have to go?

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
• Targeting the Limbic System: Insights into Its Involvement in Tinnitus - PMC 
• Chronic tinnitus and the limbic system: Reappraising brain structural effects of distress and affective symptoms - PMC 
• Gray matter declines with age and hearing loss, but is partially maintained in tinnitus | Scientific Reports 
• Therapy and Treatment Options | American Tinnitus Association
• Effects of tinnitus retraining therapy on patients with tinnitus: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials | European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology
• Effect of Tinnitus Retraining Therapy vs Standard of Care on Tinnitus-Related Quality of Life: A Randomized Clinical Trial | Otolaryngology 
• Neuromodulation for Treatment of Tinnitus: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis - Wiley Online Library 

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 Interference of Aerobic and Resistance Exercises
• Compatibility of Concurrent Aerobic and Strength Training for Skeletal Muscle Size and Function: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis | Sports Medicine
• Concurrent Strength and Endurance Training: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on the Impact of Sex and Training Status | Sports Medicine
• Concurrent training in team sports: A systematic review
• Specific Training Effects of Concurrent Aerobic and Strength Exercises Depend on Recovery Duration
• Concurrent aerobic plus resistance exercise versus aerobic exercise alone to improve health outcomes in paediatric obesity: a systematic review and meta-analysis
• The Effects of 12 Weeks of Concurrent and Combined Training on Inflammatory Markers, Muscular Performance, and Body Composition in Middle-Aged Overweight and Obese Males