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 acupuncture? How can you tell the difference between the two? Norman and Tegan poke through the evidence to find out how effective these techniques can be. References: Similarities between Ashi acupoints and myofascial trigger points: Exploring the relationship between body surface treatment points  Dry Needling versus Acupuncture: The Ongoing Debate Acupuncture: Past, Present, and Future  Clinical Effectiveness of Dry Needling in Patients with Musculoskeletal Pain—An Umbrella Review  Methodological challenges in design and conduct of randomised controlled trials in acupuncture  Needling Point Location Used in Sham Acupuncture for Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis Comparison of dry needling and trigger point manual therapy in patients with neck and upper back myofascial pain syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis Acupuncture for Chronic Pain: Individual Patient Data Meta-analysis Acupuncture for musculoskeletal pain: A meta-analysis and meta-regression of sham-controlled randomized clinical trials Magic tricks are helping scientists understand the placebo effect and pain - ABC News If you enjoyed this episode, check these out! Can you zap yourself buff with electrical muscle stimulation? Are office jobs ruining our bodies? Is gluten really the enemy?

You might’ve seen headlines about high levels of lead being found in common protein supplements. With these products becoming more popular, the news has some eager gym-goers concerned about what they’re consuming. Norman and Tegan discuss how these results compare to our historical exposure – from Ancient Rome to Australia in the 1960s. References: Protein Powders and Shakes Contain High Levels of Lead - Consumer Reports Bioaccumulation of lead (Pb) and its effects on human: A review  Lead in Food and Foodwares - FDA  Low Level Lead Exposure: History and Discovery  Lead Toxicity: an Australian Perspective  Some US protein powders contain high levels of lead. Can I tell if mine is safe? - the Conversation If you enjoyed this episode, check these out! How much protein do you REALLY need? Norman tried an ice bath so you don't have to Why do hangovers get worse as we age?

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 Smelling Trip into the Past: The Influence of Synthetic Materials on the History of Perfumery Health and societal effects from exposure to fragranced consumer products – University of Melbourne Effects by inhalation of abundant fragrances in indoor air – An overview  Cleaning at Home and at Work in Relation to Lung Function Decline and Airway Obstruction Cleaning at Home and at Work in Relation to Lung Function Decline and Airway Obstruction Synthetic Endocrine Disruptors in Fragranced Products  Do fragrant products like perfume, toilet paper and baby wipes cause cancer? - Cancer Council  Characterization of phthalates exposure and risk for cosmetics and perfume sales clerks  Chemical exposure and lung function in fragrance industry employees  Butter and Plant-Based Oils Intake and Mortality - JAMA If you enjoyed this episode, check these out! Don't sweat it? Conventional vs natural deodorants Why is everyone suddenly talking about seed oils? Are mobile phones giving us cancer?

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 COL5A1 polymorphisms in Korean ballerinas Whole-spine dynamic magnetic resonance study of contortionists: anatomy and pathology Practical recommendations on stretching exercise: A Delphi consensus statement of international research experts The ideal stretching routine – Harvard Health How stretching actually changes your muscles - Malachy McHugh for Ted-Ed If you enjoyed this episode, check these out! Working out? Why 'No Pain No Gain' is bull What on earth is grounding?! Can you zap yourself buff with electrical muscle stimulation? You can listen to more episodes of the What’s That Rash? podcast with presenters Norman Swan and Tegan Taylor on the ABC Listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. We answer your questions on everything from TikTok wellness trends to wonder drugs and diet myths.

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 butter argument says about nutrition – University of Melbourne Dietary fats - Healthdirect  What’s better, butter or margarine? - Diabetes Australia  Serum cholesterol response to replacing butter with a new trans-free margarine in hypercholesterolemic subjects Individual Cholesterol Variation in Response to a Margarine- or Butter-Based Diet: A Study in Families Effects of margarines and butter consumption on lipid profiles, inflammation markers and lipid transfer to HDL particles in free-living subjects with the metabolic syndrome BMI modifies the effect of dietary fat on atherogenic lipids: a randomized clinical trial From margarine to butter: predictors of changing bread spread in an 11-year population follow-up Association between dairy intake and multiple health outcomes: a scoping review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses | European Journal of Clinical Nutrition  Umbrella Review of Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses on Consumption of Different Food Groups and Risk of All-cause Mortality - ScienceDirect If you enjoyed this episode, check these out! Is emu oil the new snake oil? Is daylight saving time bad for us? Should you be avoiding nightshades? You can listen to more episodes of the What’s That Rash? podcast with presenters Norman Swan and Tegan Taylor on the ABC Listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. We answer your questions on everything from TikTok wellness trends to wonder drugs and diet myths.

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 Howie Mandel have in common? They don’t "poo" - McGill University Essentials of Hair Care often Neglected: Hair Cleansing Unlocking the secrets of the hair microbiome: From scalp health to therapeutic advances Parabens in Cosmetics - US Food and Drug Administration If you enjoyed this episode, check these out! Can you get away with skipping your daily shower? Which hair loss treatments actually work? Does magnesium work against muscle cramps? You can listen to more episodes of the What’s That Rash? podcast with presenters Norman Swan and Tegan Taylor on the ABC Listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. We answer your questions on everything from TikTok wellness trends to wonder drugs and diet myths.

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 Updated Systematic Review at Short-Term Follow-up The Association of Recreational and Competitive Running With Hip and Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis The risk of osteoarthritis with running and aging: a 5-year longitudinal study. - Abstract Can marathon running improve knee damage of middle-aged adults? A prospective cohort study How much running is too much? Identifying high-risk running sessions in a 5200-person cohort study Using metformin to treat knee osteoarthritis - ABC listen Changing the brain to reduce pain and walk the Camino - ABC listen Metabolic syndrome meets osteoarthritis | Nature Reviews Rheumatology Mechanical loading and orthobiologic therapies in the treatment of post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA): a comprehensive review Leisure-Time Running Reduces All-Cause and Cardiovascular Mortality Risk If you enjoyed this episode, check these out! Is sitting the new smoking? Sweaty sauna bathing for better health Is being an Olympian bad for your health? You can listen to more episodes of the What’s That Rash? podcast with presenters Norman Swan and Tegan Taylor on the ABC Listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. We answer your questions on everything from TikTok wellness trends to wonder drugs and diet myths.

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 Veterinary Medical Association  Behavioral changes induced by Toxoplasma infection of rodents are highly specific to aversion of cat odors | PNAS Pet Ownership and Quality of Life: A Systematic Review of the Literature Is Dog Ownership Associated with Mental Health? A Population Study of 68,362 Adults Living in England No beneficial associations between living with a pet and mental health outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic in a large UK longitudinal sample - ScienceDirect Pet ownership, loneliness, and social isolation: a systematic review | Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology The Relationship Between Attachment to Pets and Mental Health and Wellbeing: A Systematic Review  Pet ownership and maintenance of cognitive function in community-residing older adults: evidence from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA) | Scientific Reports Dog owners are more likely to meet physical activity guidelines than people without a dog: An investigation of the association between dog ownership and physical activity levels in a UK community | Scientific Reports  A modest protective association between pet ownership and cardiovascular diseases: A systematic review and meta-analysis | PLOS One Dog, cat, bird, fish, and other pet ownership and mortality: Evidence from the HILDA cohort Long-term stress levels are synchronized in dogs and their owners | Scientific Reports If you enjoyed this episode, check these out! How worried should you be about microplastics? Is daylight saving time bad for us? MSG's messy myths and racist tropes You can listen to more episodes of the What’s That Rash? podcast with presenters Norman Swan and Tegan Taylor on the ABC Listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. We answer your questions on everything from TikTok wellness trends to wonder drugs and diet myths.

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… history of allergic rhinitis I’m considering allergen immunotherapy for my hay fever. What do I need to know? Ingestion of honey improves the symptoms of allergic rhinitis: evidence from a randomized placebo-controlled trial The Potential use of Honey as a Remedy for Allergic Diseases: A Mini Review Can you adapt to allergies or does the dog have to go? You can listen to more episodes of the What’s That Rash? podcast with presenters Norman Swan and Tegan Taylor on the ABC Listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. We answer your questions on everything from TikTok wellness trends to wonder drugs and diet myths.

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 Abrupt Shift in the Day/Night Cycle Causes Desynchrony in the Mammalian Circadian Center The genetics of mammalian circadian order and disorder: implications for physiology and disease How To Travel the World Without Jet Lag Eastward Jet Lag is Associated with Impaired Performance and Game Outcome in the National Basketball Association Managing Travel Fatigue and Jet Lag in Athletes: A Review and Consensus Statement Melatonin for the prevention and treatment of jet lag | Cochrane Review If you enjoyed this episode, check these out! Chronotypes: Early birds vs night owls Is daylight saving time bad for us? What is the perfect nap duration?

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 cracked up to be? Plasma-Based Strategies for Therapeutic Modulation of Brain Aging Infusion of young donor plasma components in older patients modifies the immune and inflammatory response to surgical tissue injury: a randomized clinical trial | Journal of Translational Medicine Old plasma dilution reduces human biological age: a clinical study Metformin as Anti-Aging Therapy: Is It for Everyone? Targeting ageing with rapamycin and its derivatives in humans: a systematic review - The Lancet Healthy Longevity A Phase 1/2a Follistatin Gene Therapy Trial for Becker Muscular Dystrophy Follistatin Gene Therapy Improves Ambulation in Becker Muscular Dystrophy If you enjoyed this episode, check these out! Is it safe to dose yourself with pre-workout? Can collagen supplements keep your skin supple? Can you train yourself to sleep less?

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 Cancer Institute Ergot poisoning: Symptoms, treatment, and history The expert verdict on whether it's ever OK to cut off the mould on food and eat the rest - ABC News Disgust as an adaptive system for disease avoidance behaviour Yucky! How Do Toddlers Learn About Disgust? If you enjoyed this episode, check these out! Why the carnivore diet is so risky Cracking your knuckles: good, bad or just annoying?

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 Physiology-Cell Physiology Higher risk of upper respiratory tract infection post marathon running: when physical exercise becomes a threat to the immune system Sport and exercise during viral acute respiratory illness—Time to revisit Exercise effect on symptom severity, morbidity and mortality in viral infections: a systematic review and meta-analysis Effects of 60-day bed rest with and without exercise on cellular and humoral immunological parameters | Cellular & Molecular Immunology The effect of exercise training on the severity and duration of a viral upper respiratory illness Orthostatic reactions and blood volumes after moderate physical activation during acute febrile infections Exercising while sick won’t help you get over a cold faster – but it may prevent your next one If you enjoyed this episode, check these out! Can you train yourself to pee less? Why is everyone suddenly talking about seed oils? Is sitting the new smoking?

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 sense and nonsense of direct-to-consumer genetic testing for cardiovascular disease First, do no harm: direct-to-consumer genetic testing Do at-home genetic tests work? - MD Anderson Genetic testing | Cancer Council  Direct‐to‐consumer genetic tests providing health risk information: A systematic review of consequences for consumers and health services Australians’ perspectives on support around use of personal genomic testing: Findings from the Genioz study Understanding Direct-to-Consumer genetic DNA testing | NHMRC What people really change after genetic testing (GT) performed in private labs: results from an Italian study Direct‐to‐consumer genetic tests providing health risk information: A systematic review of consequences for consumers and health services If you enjoyed this episode, check these out! Should you base your diet on your blood type? Why is the internet telling me to lower my cortisol? What on earth is grounding?!

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?