What's That Rash?

Should you add snail slime to your skincare routine?

17 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Snail slime, or snail mucin, has become a popular product in skin care.Some claim it has anti-ageing properties, but if the early research shakes out...

Could headphones be damaging our ears?

10 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Walking down the street, most people you pass will be wearing headphones or ear buds. Chances are you are too!But is this trend of noise-cancelling h...

Vitamin C: can it cure colds and cancer?

03 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Many people believe that taking vitamin C supplements helps their immune system fight off colds.But there are even bigger claims attached to this sup...

Can peptides keep you young and buff?

24 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Unless you're in certain corners of the internet, you won't be aware of the peptide craze promising to grow your muscles and slow ageing.That's becau...

Can flossing benefit more than your teeth?

17 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Your dentist might be nagging you to floss to avoid cavities, but does flossing have more to given than pearly whites?Interdental cleaning has been r...

Doing nothing: the benefits of boredom

10 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

With endless entertainment at your fingertips on your phone, how often do you really sit and do absolutely nothing?It turns out that even when you’...

Should we all be taking fish oil?

03 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

How many times a week are you eating fish? What about oily fish, like salmon and tuna?Our dietary guidelines recommend the regular consumption of fis...

Should you wait to swim after eating?

27 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

It’s so common to tell kids to wait an hour after eating to swim that many of us never question it.But what are the actual consequences of jumping ...

Is retirement bad for you?

20 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Last year Norman made the shocking statement that people shouldn’t retire because it’ll be bad for their brains.After an influx of requests, we’...

Diet vs exercise: which is more important?

13 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

A few weeks into the new year you might be reassessing your resolutions and wondering where to put your energy. Is it possible to choose between die...

Why you don't need to avoid seed oils

06 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

It can be hard to keep up with food fads and diet trends (and spoiler: you don’t need to).But an intriguing assumption that has gained traction rec...

Should you opt for aluminium-free deodorant?

30 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We haven’t always suppressed our sweat or our natural body odour, but in many cultures now it’s expected we’ll all try to smell our best.You mi...

Why do some people pee more often?

23 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 per...

Sunscreen spectacular: UV protection, SPF drama, endocrine disruptors

16 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

There have been many discussions this year about sunscreen, its effectiveness and its ingredients.Whil there are some unknowns, what we’re sure of ...

Do the benefits of creatine go beyond the gym?

09 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Creatine is getting a lot of hype lately, at least according to our listeners.It’s being pushed for everything from menopause to dementia for its s...

Why do we dream?

02 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Whether or not we remember our dreams, we all have them. But the answer to why we dream is complicated.There's a lot going on in our brains during sl...

Best time of day to exercise?

25 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

When you’ve got a busy schedule, it’s important to just exercise when you can. But if you have the luxury of choice, is there an optimal one?You ...

Should you aim for an alkaline lifestyle?

18 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Humans are slightly alkaline – your blood should be a pH between 7.35 to 7.45. Anything outside that range can be life-threatening.So why are you b...

Anything wrong with falling asleep in front of the TV?

11 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

You’re settling into the couch after a long day, ready to relax with your favourite show … next thing you know, you’re asleep.What is it about ...

Difference between dry needling and acupuncture?

04 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

If you've seen a physiotherapist, you might’ve undergone needling with the promise it will reduce your pain.Did you receive dry needling or acupunc...

What is lead doing in protein powder?

28 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

You might’ve seen headlines about high levels of lead being found in common protein supplements.With these products becoming more popular, the news...

Should you be avoiding perfumes and fragrances?

21 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Once you go looking, you realise there are scents in everything – from skincare to cleaning supplies to candles. And of course, perfume.Are there a...

Should you be flexible enough to touch your toes?

14 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 t...

Butter vs margarine: what's better for you?

07 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 bette...

No-poo: why do we shampoo our hair?

30 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Do you ever wonder while you’re shampooing and conditioning – is this really necessary?The no-poo movement encourages people to ditch their produ...

Is running bad for your knees?

23 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 tho...

Is loving your pets bad for you?

16 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Checking the pollen count? Here are some hay fever tips

09 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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.Allergi...

Is there a cure for jet lag?

02 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 je...

Don’t Die: Is Bryan Johnson going to live forever?

26 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 hi...

Should you cut or chuck mouldy food?

19 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 affect...

Is it OK to exercise when you're sick?

12 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

At-home DNA tests — what can they tell you?

05 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Is emu oil the new snake oil?

29 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Chronotypes: early birds vs night owls

22 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 th...

Methylene blue: why are people drinking blue dye?

15 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Do healthy people need lymphatic treatments?

08 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

You might've been advertised lymphatic massage treatments promising to boost your energy and leave you looking snatched.The lymphatic system is great...

Is whitening your teeth bad for you?

01 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

What are the health benefits of coffee?

24 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 lea...

You'll catch your death! Does cold weather cause colds?

17 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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, viru...

Should you go organic if you're worried about pesticides?

10 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

What we do (and don't) know about tinnitus

03 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 man...

Should you train cardio and strength on the same day?

27 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Why do some people run hot, while others run cold?

20 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 so...

Can consuming dairy really give you acne?

13 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Cracking your knuckles: good, bad or just annoying?

06 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

You might’ve been told by parents, teachers, colleagues, friends of friends to stop cracking your knuckles because it will give you arthritis.There...

Can tattoos increase your risk of cancer?

29 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Why the carnivore diet is so risky

22 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The carnivore diet asks people to eat entirely animal-based, and the most extreme followers restrict themselves to only meat.Many carnivores claims t...

The perimenopause diaries from Ladies, We Need to Talk

17 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Hot flashes. Night sweats. Aching joints. Sore boobs. Welcome to your body in perimenopause!In episode one of this four-part series, Yumi Stynes spea...

Can you train yourself to pee less?

15 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 per...

How worried should you be about microplastics?

08 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Is daylight saving time bad for us?

01 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week parts of Australia are preparing to wind back their clocks to mark the ending of daylight saving time.For a long time the country has been ...

Do glasses make your eyesight worse?

25 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

If you're short-sighted or long-sighted, have astigmatism or double vision, you now live in a world where glasses can help you out.But there's a misc...

Don't sweat it? Conventional vs natural deodorants

18 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We haven’t always suppressed our sweat or our natural body odour, but in many cultures now it’s expected we’ll all try to smell our best.You mi...

How much protein do you REALLY need?

11 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Protein is having its moment — walk any supermarket aisle and you'll find product after product boasting its protein content. Do you need to be lo...

What's so bad about fine particulate air pollution?

04 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Long-time listeners would have heard Norman decrying fine particulate air pollution and its negative effects on health.But when it’s all around us ...

Does magnesium work against muscle cramps?

25 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Cramping muscles are common, whether they’re associated with exercise or not.Knowing what causes them can help people avoid them or treat them, but...

Which hair loss treatments actually work?

18 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Hair loss is common, but there are many different causes and potentially many different treatments.From topical ointments to light therapy, to scalp ...

We're answering your questions LIVE! March 30!

17 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What's That Rash? is returning to the World Science Festival Brisbane for another year. Norman and Tegan will be answering the health questions ever...

Can functional mushrooms really help treat cancer?

11 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The use of mushrooms in medicine goes back centuries, but there’s still a lot to learn about the bioactive compounds in fungi.There are many claims...

Why are people taping their mouths?

04 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Depending on your corner of the internet, you might have seen people swearing by this new sleep hack, mouth taping.People claim they’re better rest...

There's a lot of fog around brain fog

28 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Unfortunately many more people have heard about brain fog because of the pandemic and long COVID.But the symptom was first mentioned centuries ago, a...

Why is everyone suddenly talking about seed oils?

21 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It can be hard to keep up with food fads and diet trends (and spoiler: you don’t need to).But an intriguing assumption that has gained traction rec...

Can you get away with skipping your daily shower?

14 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

January is an especially sweaty time in Australia, so maybe park this life change until the weather cools down…But is it necessary to bathe every d...

Should you base your diet on your blood type?

07 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

You might've heard of the blood type diet popularised in the 90s off the back of a best-selling book.It’s based on the theory that blood types emer...

The four steps you need to form a habit

31 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

There are MANY books out there on habit formation. Are they all saying the same thing?Some habits are more complicated than others. Some habits requi...

Is that glass of red wine over Christmas dinner good for you?

24 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

'Tis the season to indulge. As you sit down with family and friends, an age-old debate might arise: does drinking a single glass of red wine make yo...

Infrared, ultraviolet and LED therapy – can lights cure us?

17 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

You might have seen those robot-looking red light masks being sold for skincare purposes. You might have thought — looks technological, but does i...

What's the lowdown on energy drinks?

10 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Life can be exhausting, and while a nap might be in order, it’s rare you’ve got time to take one.Caffeine can come to the rescue, but you might n...

Is sitting the new smoking?

03 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Many people live sedentary lives, sitting in an office all day then coming home to sit on the couch all night.What are the health harms of too much s...

Can collagen supplements keep your skin supple?

26 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We live in a world full of influencers pushing us products promising to keep us looking bouncy and youthful forever. Collagen is a hugely important ...

Are mobile phones giving us cancer?

19 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

These days, our mobile phones are rarely far away. Whether it’s in your hand, your pocket, or under your pillow at night.Mobiles do emit radiation ...

Should you be avoiding nightshades?

12 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Why are people with arthritis being told to stop eating potatoes, tomatoes and egg plants?Vegetables in the nightshade family have been under scrutin...

Is NAD+ a miracle anti-ageing supplement?

05 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We've been searching for a fountain of youth for millennia. How can we not only live longer, but live healthier for longer?Nicotinamide adenine dinuc...

How medical mysteries fed monster myths

29 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Vampires and werewolves and zombies, oh my! Where did all these monsters come from?Undiagnosed medical conditions might have fuelled the mythology be...

Can't stop sneezing? What to do when hay fever hits

22 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 ailment.Allergi...

What on earth is grounding?!

15 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Many of us are disconnected from nature – we live in cities, work in offices, exercise indoors.There is a hypothesis that our disconnection from th...

MSG's messy myths and racist tropes

08 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a flavour enhancer that often gets a bad wrap.You might know someone who swears it makes them sick, or you yourself mig...

Why is the internet telling me to lower my cortisol?

01 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

If you've found yourself in a particular corner of health and wellness TikTok, chances are you've heard all about cortisol.Influencers might be urgin...

Is melatonin the answer to a good night's sleep?

24 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

If you've ever complained about a bad night's sleep, you might've been urged to take melatonin. It's a hormone our bodies naturally produce, and als...

What it takes to avoid iron deficiency

17 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Iron deficiency is incredibly common, especially in menstruating women.But this mineral is vital. Our bodies use iron to make haemoglobin, which carr...

Why do hangovers get worse as we age?

10 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It's a tale as old as time – as you age, hangovers hit harder. The tolerance of your youth wastes away.There's no doubt that any alcohol consumptio...

Rapid-fire round: Answering your sleep questions

03 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We get a LOT of questions about sleep – on everything from cheese dreams to sleep farts.Why do you jerk awake as you're drifting off? Why are you i...

Can you zap yourself buff with electrical muscle stimulation?

27 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It might not seem like it, but we humans are electrical beings. We rely on electrical impulses to stay alive.So can we rely on electrical impulses …...

Why Norman won't shut up about the Mediterranean diet

20 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Mediterranean diet is the most well studied dietary pattern out there. So – what is it?It’s more than just vegetables, whole grains, healthy ...

Sweaty sauna bathing for better health

13 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In some parts of the world sauna bathing is a daily activity.In Finland, it would even be rude to deny an invitation to get hot and sweaty with a bus...

Can't stop biting your nails?

06 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Many people go through phases of nail biting in childhood, and fewer people continue biting their nails into adulthood.It's a habit that can be diffi...

Is being an Olympian bad for your health?

30 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

If you're glued to your couch watching the Paris Games, you know that elite athletes are beyond impressive.But does that mean they're healthy? Not ne...

Are office jobs ruining our bodies?

23 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Offices are catching up to the idea that sitting for eight hours a day might not be great for your health.Standing desks, adjustable monitors and han...

What does sneezing have to do with orgasms?

16 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Bodies are weird … but are they THAT weird?Sexually-induced sneezing has been written about in medical texts for hundreds of years.In this live epi...

Norman tried an ice bath so you don't have to

09 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

You've either seen it, or you've tried it. Ice baths are all the rage right now, in part because they claim to be an effective health and wellbeing b...

How risky is sharing a toothbrush?

02 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Once you get past the initial ick-factor of toothbrush sharing, it's worth considering whether there are any actual harms.Whether we like it or not, ...

Is gluten really the enemy?

25 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

There's no doubt people with coeliac disease should stay away from gluten, but what about the rest of us?There is nothing inherently harmful about gl...

Phlegm — better out than in?

18 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Feeling yuck? Have you ever wondered about the purpose of all that gunk you're coughing up?At least one of our listeners has … and she wants to kno...

Is botox worth a shot?

11 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It might feel like this wrinkle-busting procedure has been around forever, but it's a relatively recent cosmetic concoction.At first, it was a proced...

Should we all be vegetarian?

04 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

For the meat eaters still out there, you may be wondering how much is too much when it comes to your health.You will have to weigh up the benefits an...

Is apple cider vinegar a cure-all tonic?

28 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Apple cider vinegar is revered in wellness spaces for its health-giving benefits, but is there anything to it?There are claims it can aid with weight...

Can you train yourself to sleep less?

21 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Sometimes 24 hours doesn’t feel like nearly enough time to get everything done — those to-do lists aren't going to check themselves.Especially wh...

Why everything hurts when you turn 30

14 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It's an age-old adage that youth is wasted on the young – you don't know what you’ve got until it's gone.The aches and pains that start to linger...

Can sudoku really keep your brain younger for longer?

07 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Dementia is common – more than 400,000 Australians are living with it – but it’s not an inevitable part of ageing.There are ways to lower your ...