Health & Nutrition

This year marked a 10-year milestone for Sydney’s annual Naturally Good expo. To honour the occasion, a highly anticipated celebratory event took place at the ICC over 26-27th May, and it more than lived up to expectations.    The Naturally Good expo is an iconic business event that has become a pinnacle date in the industry’s calendar. The focus for 2025 was “connection”, with a dynamic new app and initiatives introduced to ensure high visitor quality for a wide range of buyers.  Over two days, the Naturally Good community connected with business owners and industry leaders. Local and international visitors discovered the latest trends in natural and conscious products.  Expert insights At the Pulse Stage, some of the biggest industry names led impactful keynotes integral to business success for the coming year. Day one kicked off with Jarna McLean, director of Health and Lifestyle at Circana, drawing a strong crowd. She shared exclusive data and insights, uncovering key drivers of growth and opportunity.  Despina Lord, founder of the Wellbeing Empowered Collective, also shared insider knowledge. As a leader in complementary medicine, she spoke on the changing pharmaceutical space and the opportunities to be gained from it. On day two, PR experts Nastasia Jenkinson (Good Appetite) and Caitlin Elliott-Jones (Little Collins Studio) led a lively discussion. They explored how brands are building cult followings within their online communities. They explored what it takes to stand out and stay ahead in a competitive marketing landscape.  Standout brands The Naturally Good Pitch Fest returned with a more competitive lineup than ever. This year’s winner, Not Coffee, delivered an emotive pitch with an inspiring backstory. The judges and audience members alike drank up every word! The Not Coffee team were awarded their prize at the Naturally Good Awards and 10 Year Celebration (sponsored by WellBeing and Eat Well Media). This year’s function took place at the chic waterside lounge Bungalow 8 in Sydney. Other winners included: Best Food Product, Classic Chewy Caramel, awarded to Loco Love; Best Complementary Medicine Product, Sea Buckthorn Oil, awarded to Herbs of Gold; and Best Beauty & Personal Care Product, Peptide Collagen Moisturiser, awarded to Mud Organics. Many brands made a strong impression this year. Tuttofare is tackling harmful skincare head-on. Their products are made from natural sources, with a focus on purity and simplicity. With fewer ingredients and a higher concentration, it’s designed to boost skin health and overall wellbeing. Hello Period continues to smash taboos around menstruation. Their bright, innovative range is created with sustainability in mind. From cups and discs to reusable pads and underwear, there’s something for everyone. With tonnes of single-use products hitting landfill each year, this B Corp certified brand is making period care better for people and the planet. AussieZinc also turned heads. Their natural mineral sunscreens were a crowd favourite. Founder Vicky, a mum of four, created the range to protect her family from the harsh Aussie sun without the chemicals. Now her range has expanded to include tinted, anti-aging and even a handy mozzie-repelling option. Top trends at the Naturally Good expo Key themes and trends of Naturally Good expo 2025 included high-protein products — everything from snacks and desserts to pasta and beverages with additional protein sources. This showed clear evidence of a retail market response to increased consumer demand. “Sustainability” was high on the agenda, with the industry maintaining their position as thought leaders in the global effort to reduce waste and develop dynamic closed-loop business model systems. “Heritage ingredients” also made a flavourful impact at this year’s event, with an abundance of products offering unique tastes, deep-rooted in history and culture. Entwined with sincere, personal storytelling, it showed how the tide is turning on traditional marketing techniques with authenticity becoming a fundamental attribute of a strong brand identity. Missed this year’s Naturally Good expo? Catch the highlights on their website and secure your spot for 2026.  Visit naturallygood.com.au. Read More

If you’re not well rested, can you really expect to be at your best? Sleeplessness caused by a busy mind and repetitive thoughts is a common consequence of stress. Rescue Sleep® combines Rescue Remedy for natural stress relief with another Bach® flower remedy, White Chestnut, traditionally used to relieve mental over activity and sleeplessness. Two quick sprays of Rescue Sleep® deliver a dose of the five Bach® Original Flower Remedies with the added remedy White Chestnut. SHOP NOW | RRP: $36.00 Subscribe Subscribe to a newsletter to receive latest post and updates Jamie Pilarinos We Love Honest to Goodness Organic SuperGreens Blend 200g Lakanto – Low Sugar Energy Ball Mix Choc Coconut Honest to Goodness Organic Matcha Green Tea Powder Lakanto – Classic White Monkfruit Sweetener Read More

Looking for something that can get you through stressful periods, without any risk of dependency? Rescue Remedy traditionally used to relieve symptoms of stress and mild anxiety The iconic yellow Dropper has been a favourite in Australia because it is discreet and easy to use: just put 4 drops of Rescue Remedy® directly on your tongue or add 4 drops to water and sip at intervals. The Rescue Remedy® formula is the same today as when it was first developed by Dr Edward Bach more than 80 years ago. SHOP NOW | $36.00 Subscribe Subscribe to a newsletter to receive latest post and updates Jamie Pilarinos Read More

Activated charcoal has provided health benefits since 3750 B. C for a variety of reasons. It uses the charred remains of non-toxic wood and other vegetation. It was used in Egypt as a cleaning product, for creating bronze, for writing, and as a digestive aid. What is Activated Charcoal? Activated charcoal is not the black powdery gunk left at the bottom of your grill. Activated Charcoal is exposed to very high temperatures, which changes its internal structure, making it very porous and a much more potent detoxifier. While it is going through the heating process, charcoal also becomes, what is called activated. This means it can hold a negative electric charge. This charge will then attract positively-charged toxins. A good quality charcoal can attract up to 100 times its weight in toxic materials. The detoxification pathways are crucial for maintaining optimum health. Activated Charcoal Uses In our everyday routine we are exposed to many toxins. Toxins are in our food, in our water, even in the air we breathe. Toxins can be found in the lotions you put on your skin, in the chemicals you use to clean your home and even in the new appliances, furniture, carpets, and cars you buy. No one is immune to toxic exposure these days. This is how it can help. Heavy metals Activated charcoal can help to remove some of the heavy metals that you have in your system. Some of these include copper, lead, arsenic, and mercury. Lowers Cholesterol Activated charcoal may benefit people with high cholesterol levels. There was a study that showed that people who took 8 grams of this three times a day significantly lower LDL levels and total cholesterol levels. Helps your Digestive System Charcoal helps by cleaning out the gunk in your gut through adsorption, this is quite different than absorption. Adsorption is the process of attraction that positively-charged substances go through when they bind with negatively-charged particles. Charcoal is good for helping with acute diarrhea and also for gas and bloating Toothpaste Activated Charcoal is also used in toothpaste. This is because it is antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal. It is also used for teeth-whitening and is a detoxifying agent for your mouth. When you have a build up of toxins in your body it can affect your brain. It can help support your liver and adrenals as well as your kidneys. By using the charcoal to remove toxins it can also slow the rate in which your brain becomes sensitive to common toxins. Emergencies Activated charcoal is used for soaking up poison, helping with wounds, infections and even water purification. Activated charcoal is used for accidental overdose or poisonings caused by snakes and insects. Charcoal can also help fight infections, both internally and externally, can help in wound healing when applied as a poultice, and is a key toxin-filtering substance found in most water and air filtration systems. Types of Charcoal If you are thinking about using activated charcoal for your health it is important to know the different types and how to take it. For activated charcoal to be a quality powder supplement it should be non-GMO, completely free from chemicals, and created using only non-toxic types of wood. For your health the best kind comes from either non-GMO, organically processed coconut shells, or bamboo. This can be found most commonly in powder where is it can be loose, that you mix with water, in capsules, or compressed into an activated charcoal pill. These can all help with detoxification. Super Charcoal is a charcoal substance that consists of C60 carbon molecules. C60 is a type of anti-aging molecule. The difference between regular activated charcoal, which contains only about 1% C60, and the super charcoal is that while activated charcoal is good for everyday detox, C60 takes that detoxification to the next level to clear out toxins at the cellular level. Side Effects Activated charcoal has no serious side effects as long as it is non-toxic, non-GMO sources. You should also drink plenty of water with your supplement. It can cause constipation; this is normally due to not drinking enough water along with your supplement. Some people can have an allergic reaction, but this is rare. Taking activated charcoal with prescription medication may lessen the desired effect so it’s not a good idea. Remember to consult with a health professional if you have any concerns. It can also make your stool darker than normal when taking activated charcoal. This means that it is doing it’s job properly. When it comes to how much you should be taking, there is no one answer as it depends on your needs and lifestyle. Some people take a lot of it every time they travel. Others take a capsule or two before a meal which they feel may expose them to extra toxins. This can be a dinner at a restaurant or a cocktail party where you may have a few more alcoholic drinks than normal. Other people may find it works best for them to take it when waking up. By taking it in the morning with a large glass of water you may find that your brain fog is less. Where to find help For more information on how natural remedies can help you go to my article on https://www.wellbeing.com.au/body/health/natural-remedies-and-what-grandma-knew.html It doesn’t matter how you take activated charcoal the most important thing is that it is 100% organic and/or wild-crafted. Make sure your product is from a non-toxic wood such as coconut or bamboo and non-GMO. Here at Stressfree Management we use activated charcoal and other supplements to help your digestion, absorption and to get you balanced on all levels. You can find us at www.stressfreehealthmanagement.com Read More

Perimenopause brings a whole new set of surprises, from midnight sweats to mood swings and insomnia. Yoga for menopause offers gentle but powerful tools drawn from ancient practices to help you navigate this journey and find steadier ground. In recent years, it feels like the lid has been lifted on what was once a taboo topic, and now it’s the word on everyone’s lips… menopause. Instagram, TikTok and our bookshelves are full of it, and it seems impossible as a woman in her 40s to catch up with friends without it stealthily entering the conversation at some point. Growing up, I had no idea of what menopause was and certainly wasn’t interested in what it meant for those experiencing it, until I was well into my late 30s, headed towards the inevitable, myself. By my mid-40s, for the first time outside of puberty and pregnancy, my hormones were running wild, playing havoc with my body and mind. This was when I was introduced to the phenomenon known as “perimenopause”, the tricky time when your reproductive hormones including oestrogen are plummeting and the body is realigning itself to a new norm. Now it seems “peri”, as we call it, is the hot topic of every catch-up I have with my girlfriends, enthusiastically discussing the latest herbal supplements we are guzzling to prevent our disintegrating hair or get more sleep. The good news is that yoga can help us move through one of the most formative transitions of our lives. What is menopause? Menopause comes from the Greek word mens for months and pausis for cessation, when a woman’s monthly menstrual cycle ceases. After it has stopped for more than 12 months, she is postmenopausal. Technically, menopause is just one day, seemingly insignificant, but the perimenopausal time leading up to that day can stretch for many years and can feel anything but insignificant. The exact age varies but, for most women, it is a natural process of ageing that occurs in your 40s or 50s. However, for some, menopause may be brought on prematurely by medical or surgical procedures such as a hysterectomy or chemotherapy. Some women don’t even notice the process, while for others, it brings on extraordinary mental and energetic symptoms such as hot flushes, night sweats, anxiety and irritability, forgetfulness and brain fog, insomnia and pain, among others. The research For those who do find the symptoms challenging, there are various treatments available: pharmaceutical, hormonal and complementary. We now see a growing body of research suggesting yoga may be a highly effective option. A meta-analysis in Maturitas found that yoga significantly reduced menopausal psychological symptoms such as anxiety and depression. And a randomised controlled trial by the International Menopause Society demonstrated that yoga led to notable reductions in psychological, urogenital and somatic complaints. The fall in oestrogen during menopause can increase the risk of heart disease and research highlights improvements in heart rate variability (HRV) when participants practice yoga. This is due to increased parasympathetic activity, (the cool, calm and collected aspect of your nervous system), which is associated with reduced cardiovascular risks. An integrated approach Yoga offers a holistic approach. Yoga physiology describes the systems the ancient yogis used to explain how energy moves through you. One model, the koshas, sees the body as a container (uphadhi) with sheaths or layers (each one called a kosha), all of which make up who and what you are – the physical, emotional, mental, spiritual and energetic aspects of the self. All the layers affect one another. When there are physical transformations, like the chemical changes from the radical hormonal shift in menopause, it is going to affect all the other layers too, ie sluggish energy, brain fog and mental health issues. According to research done at Monash University, an estimated 40 per cent of perimenopausal women experience depressive symptoms, with symptoms often worse in severity compared to depression in younger and older women. By targeting the physical layer and practising the asana or poses, moving your body more consistently naturally starts to shift all the layers. You feel better in your body and perhaps make more nourishing food and drink choices, you have more energy and your mental health improves. By focusing on the mental layer, and practising meditation, you may find your thoughts settle, you are more willing to move the body and on the loop goes. When you chant, endorphins may be released, improving your mood, and it may reset the vagus nerve (VN), which controls the bulk of the parasympathetic nervous system. Resetting the VN can help menopausal symptoms such as anxiety and insomnia. In addition to chanting, slowing down the breath, or stimulating the throat by taking ujjayi breath as well as other yogic practices can target the VN. Ayurveda and menopause Ayurveda, or “the science of life”, has been used to manage the symptoms of menopause for thousands of years. Ayurveda refers to menopause as rajonivritti, where rajah means menstrual blood and vritti means cessation. Considered the sister science to yoga, Ayurveda originates from the same Vedic system of wellness. Though ancient Ayurvedic texts didn’t refer to menopause in the same way Western medicine does, the physiological and emotional changes associated with this stage of life were recognised and categorised under principles of ageing and “doshic” imbalances. In Ayurveda, doshas are the forces that govern the physical and mental processes of the body. They are made up of the five elements (earth, water, fire, air and space) and form the foundation of everyone’s constitution. The three doshas are Vata (air and space), Pitta (fire and water) and Kapha (earth and water), and each has specific qualities, functions and imbalances. Ayurveda views menopause as a natural phase and believes that the associated symptoms are attributed to imbalances in the body’s doshas. An increase in Vata dosha is considered the major imbalance during this phase and is linked to common symptoms including hot flushes, insomnia and mood swings, though Pitta (hot flushes) and Kapha (sluggish digestion and energy) imbalances also play roles. Ayurvedic practices

We spoke with Kate Peddie, Marketing Manager at Juno Labs, the company behind Rescue Remedy — the world’s leading brand for natural emotional wellbeing support. With over 80 years of heritage, they continue to help people manage stress and restore balance using the original Bach Flower Remedies. Kate shares more about the brand’s history, best-sellers, and what makes it a trusted choice for families around the world. Can you share the story behind Rescue Remedy and what sets it apart? Experts for over 80 years – Rescue Remedy is the pioneer brand for emotional wellbeing. Made with Original Bach Flowers – Rescue products work naturally with your body and can be used both long and short term. An ideal product for those looking for natural wellness support day and night. Dr Bach pioneered the sleep and stress category in the 1930s. Dr Bach was a physician and homeopath who discovered 38 natural flower remedies to complement each emotional state. What’s a great entry point product for someone new to your brand? The iconic Rescue Remedy dropper was the first product and is still available today in the iconic little yellow bottle. What’s been a standout moment in your brand’s history? Rescue Remedy is the world’s #1 emotional wellbeing brand, supporting emotional balance for over 80 years. Where can readers find your products? Supermarkets, leading pharmacies and health food stores. What else should our readers know about your product range? We have a number of different formats including droppers, sprays and pastilles, safe for the whole family. Website: https://rescueremedy.storePhone number: 03 9587 8514 Read More

The dawn of multi-modal fitness is changing the game for health enthusiasts everywhere. This innovative approach synthesises various exercise modalities specifically combining strength training, cardiovascular workouts, flexibility exercises and functional movement into a singular, dynamic regimen. By embracing this integrated style of training, individuals can experience a multitude of benefits that cater to diverse fitness goals while promoting overall wellbeing. At its core, multi-modal hybrid fitness is about intertwining different exercise types, allowing participants to engage in a comprehensive workout experience. Unlike traditional fitness routines that often compartmentalise strength and cardio sessions using weights or gym-style machines, hybrid fitness melds these elements together, engaging multiple systems simultaneously. The philosophy behind hybrid fitness is rooted in functional fitness – an approach that focuses on exercises mimicking everyday activities, enhancing overall physical capability while preventing injuries. Individuals, whether they are new to exercising, or even elite or ageing athletes, can attain unprecedented results through this hybrid method. Beginners find their stride by building foundational strength and endurance quickly. In contrast, a seasoned enthusiast can push through performance plateaus, continually setting and achieving new benchmarks. The beauty of hybrid fitness lies in its accessibility – everyone can find their own level of challenge at home or in a gym. As body wellness and knowledge increases, people aspire for a balance of power, agility and endurance that enables them to thrive in daily life. Hybrid fitness encourages functional fitness, enhancing performance in real-world scenarios. Key muscle groups involved in multi-modal training 1. Lower body Quadriceps: Essential for movements like lunges and sled pushes, the quadriceps are heavily engaged during explosive activities. Hamstrings: These muscles work in tandem with the quads during dynamic movements, helping with power output and stabilisation. Glutes: The gluteal muscles are a significant focus, providing strength and stability during squats, lunges and bear crawls. They also play a role in maintaining posture and preventing lower-back injuries. Calves: Important for agility and explosiveness, calf muscles stabilise movements, particularly during push-offs and landings. 2. Core Abdominals: The rectus abdominis and obliques help stabilise the torso during complex movements and improve overall body coordination. Erector spinae: These muscles run along the spine, supporting posture and protecting against injury during lifting and dynamic exercises. Transverse abdominis: This deep core muscle is engaged in stabilising the spine and pelvis, critical for maintaining balance in functional movements. 3. Upper body Shoulders (deltoids): The deltoids are engaged in overhead movements and pushing exercises, enhancing upper-body strength and functionality. ‘ Chest (pectorals): Involved in pushing exercises, the pecs contribute to overall upper-body strength and≈stability. Back (latissimus dorsi, trapezius): Critical for stabilisation and pulling movements, these muscles promote posture and reduce injury risks during dynamic exercises. 4. Functional muscle groups Stabilisers: Smaller, often underutilised muscles aid in balance and joint stability, playing a key role in injury≈prevention. Synergistic muscle function: Multi-joint exercises engage multiple muscle groups working together, essential for real-world activities and functional fitness. Numerous benefits Hybrid fitness routines offer significant functional benefits, including enhanced athleticism through strength gains from resistance training, improved agility and coordination essential for sports and daily activities and increased endurance facilitated by HIIT (high-intensity interval training) elements. These routines also support cognitive and mental resilience by engaging both the body and mind, enhancing neuroplasticity and promoting stress relief through endorphin release. Furthermore, they contribute to health and longevity by improving mobility and flexibility, supporting bone density to reduce the risk of osteoporosis and enhancing metabolic health to lower chronic disease risks such as obesity and diabetes. Multi-modal hybrid fitness offers a sustainable approach that not only promotes physical health, but also nurtures a balanced lifestyle. By embracing this innovative training style, you can unlock your true potential and cultivate a deeper connection with your body, leading to a healthier, more vibrant life. Full-body workout Here are eight of the best multi-modal hybrid exercises that you can easily perform at home. These exercises combine strength, cardio and functional movement, making them effective for a full-body workout without needing specialised equipment. To create an effective workout, follow these tips. Always warm up for about five to 10 minutes to prevent injury. Add weights – if you have dumbbells or kettlebells, incorporate them to increase the intensity and effectiveness of your workout. Keep water nearby and stay hydrated throughout your workout. Create a circuit by performing each exercise for 30 seconds, followed by a 15-second rest and completing three to four rounds. This approach engages multiple muscle groups and effectively elevates your heart rate, making it a great hybrid workout for home. Always ensure you maintain proper form to prevent injury. 1. Burpee with push-up Start in a standing position. Drop into a squat and place your hands on the ground, jumping your feet back into a plank. Perform a push-up, then jump your feet back toward your hands and explode up into a jump. Benefits: combines strength from the push-up with a cardio-intensive jump, effectively working your upper body, core and legs. 2. Dumbbell thrusters Stand with feet shoulder-width apart while holding dumbbells at shoulder height. Squat down and, as you stand up, press the dumbbells overhead in one fluid motion. Benefits: this combines a squat with an overhead press, targeting your legs, glutes and shoulders for strength while elevating your heart rate. 3. Mountain climbers Begin in a plank position with your hands under your shoulders. Quickly, bring one knee toward your chest, then switch legs rapidly as if you are running in place. Benefits: A great cardio exercise that engages your core, shoulders and legs, improving both strength and endurance. 4. Lunge with twist Step forward into a lunge with your right leg and, as you lunge down, twist your torso to the right. Return to standing and repeat on the left side. Benefits: strength training through lunges combined with rotational movement engages the core and improves flexibility. 5. Plank jacks Start in a plank position. Jump your feet out wide and then back together, like a jumping jack but in a plank position. Benefits: This exercise elevates your

Support your ageing liver with diet, fasting and key nutrients to prevent fatty liver, hormone issues and decline. I ’m going to go out on a limb and suggest that a lot of us don’t take our livers very seriously. Aside from the national pastime of regular alcohol consumption glorified by a constant flow of advertising suggesting that it’s a social lubricant, rather than a malignant scourge, a visit to an X-ray clinic for a scan that reveals a fatty liver might be greeted with a shrug from our doctor and consequently indifference and inertia from us. This might be a lamentable gaffe as the liver is our largest organ with a significant influence on every metabolic and biochemical process, which can either engender our wellbeing or, if disregarded, spawn our downfall. This megalopolis is a manufacturing and detoxification behemoth, its portfolio spanning fat digestion, protein and hormone production, immune system function, vitamin and mineral storage as well as detoxification and elimination of any drugs, chemicals, pollutants, invading pathogens and dysfunctional cellular proteins that prevent our cells from executing effectively. Once we accumulate fat around our liver cells, all these processes are significantly impaired, and our livers and the rest of us will age prematurely. If we fail to eliminate all the metabolic and cellular detritus that the liver is primed to process, rather than being effectively jettisoned, these will accumulate like garbage strewn around our streets and sidewalks if the refuse collectors were to go on strike. When these metabolic waste products are left to circulate around our bodies, they unhinge the normal activity of our brain cells, leading to emotional dysfunction (anxiety and depression) and early cognitive decline with a blunted memory. Our hormones need to be appropriately metabolised then trafficked out of our bodies. Not done correctly, they can become hormonal poisons increasing our risk of developing breast and prostate cancer. Liver dysfunction can compromise the digestive process making it more difficult to absorb and access the vital nutrients our bodies need. Insufficient absorption of vitamins A and D can diminish our immune capacity and damage our bones. Cholesterol can start to climb, which can block our arteries, leading to heart attacks and an increased likelihood of having a stroke. These catastrophes can be averted if we pay attention to early warning signs, such as scans revealing fatty liver or elevated liver enzyme tests. What are the steps we can take to reverse these early worrying trends and return our livers to their rightful place as our prime metabolic, detoxification and hormonal haven? Diet There is no scientific evidence that has examined a diet that might boost liver activity. What we need to do is maintain our optimal weight by reducing, fats, sugars, starchy carbohydrates and salt and adopt an exercise regime that helps to achieve this goal weight. Research on animals does show that brassica vegetables, especially broccoli and broccoli sprouts, can empower the liver’s detoxification capabilities, which, when combined with hummus, a drizzle of olive oil and a seaweed wafer, makes for a tasty, nutritious snack. Intermittent fasting One of the most impactful steps we can take to re-establish effective liver cell function is to fast intermittently. Establishing a pattern whereby for two days a week, food is not consumed after breakfast until breakfast the next morning can revitalise our livers by initiating autophagy. This is a process that eliminates toxins and cellular junk, reducing liver fat and elevated cholesterol, protecting against cancer and generally restoring healthy and effective liver cell activity. Special supplements NAD+, which stands for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, is a molecule that has a crucial influence on energy generation and detoxification all around our bodies and specifically on the cells in our liver, which perform these functions. There is mounting evidence that NAD+ precursors, like nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) and nicotinamide riboside (NR), improve glucose metabolism, which would then make fat burning easier, effectively leading to the reversal of fatty liver disease. There is one small wrinkle when supplementing with NMN as there is a modicum of research connecting this supplement with increased cancer risk. A colleague of mine has suggested that taking extra vitamin C with NMN may mitigate this risk. I hope he’s correct as this is a strategy I’ve adopted. We transplant livers because they are such essential organs. What we need to do is find a way to respect and treasure the asset we have before it becomes the ailing liability we need to resurrect. Article featured in WellBeing Magazine 216 Read More

Since cultivation of cannabis was legalised in Australia in 2016 for medical purposes (and only with a license), there’s been a surging interest in the product. And not just from the public. Worth an estimated AU$141 million in 2023, and US$21 billion globally, the legal cannabis market is booming. Forecasts by Grand View Research predict the Australian market will soar at a compound annual growth rate of 27.8 per cent between 2024 to 2030. How does “medicinal” cannabis differ from the maligned, recreational marijuana, pot and weed associated with getting high and addiction? What proof is there of its effectiveness? And how is the “medicalised” version accessed for health purposes within the laws of today? Medical versus recreational cannabis Dr Orit Holtzman, a functional medicine practitioner, director and co-founder of Leura Wellness, president of the Australian and New Zealand College of Cannabinoid Practitioners and adjunct fellow at Western Sydney University, describes medical cannabis simply as the cannabis plant used as a medication. According to the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), cannabis used medically can range from untreated raw and dried cannabis and hashish (cannabis resin) to various pharmaceutical cannabis preparations, as well as synthetically lab-produced cannabinoids. In reality, within most states of Australia, medical use of the plant is highly controlled and restricted to pharmaceutical products accessed through a prescription. These come in a wide variety of forms including oral formulations (in oil, tinctures, capsules or wafers), inhalations via medical-grade vaporisers and topical creams and pessaries, Holtzman explains. They’re also sold as chewables, lozenges and as the flower. Smoking cannabis is not endorsed because of its negative impact on lung health. Currently, the oil is the most common way the plant is used medically. Cannabis oil products are manufactured from the green plant matter of the cannabis plant and formulated to contain various ratios of the cannabinoids CBD (cannabidiol) or THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) in combination or alone. Some products consist solely of CBD or THC as highly purified ingredients; others contain CBD and/or THC with a “full spectrum” of cannabis plant constituents including other cannabinoids, the TGA≈explains.Cannabis oil should be differentiated from hemp seed oil (made from the seeds), which is classified as a food and doesn’t contain either THC or CBD. Medical cannabis and the law In Australia, the TGA and Office of Drug Control (ODC) regulate medicinal cannabis products. Under current laws, it can only be obtained from a pharmacy or doctor via a prescription from a registered medical or nurse practitioner authorised to prescribe the medicine. This applies to those prescribing and dispensing medicinal cannabis products online. Purchasing medicinal cannabis independently of these pathways is illegal in Australia. This includes buying it online and importing it yourself, with or without a prescription. The TGA strongly urges consumers to avoid accessing unapproved therapeutic goods from unknown websites, social media or other digital platforms. Such products are untested by the TGA and may contain toxic substances or not live up to their claims. Laws around consumer access differ between states of Australia and across countries. In Canada, Germany, Malta, Thailand and a few other countries, for example, it’s legal to use cannabis for recreational or medical reasons. In the ACT, due to laws enacted in 2020, residents aged over 18 are permitted to grow up to two plants (or four per household) and possess up to 50g of dried or 150g of fresh cannabis for personal use. Approved and unapproved products To date, the TGA, whose role it is to approve prescription medicines, has approved two medicinal cannabis products as prescription medicines on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG). Nabiximols (Sativex) contains THC and CBD and is approved to treat spasticity in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Cannabidiol (Epidyolex) is a CBD-only oil preparation approved for use in specific forms of epilepsy in children. All other cannabis products are unapproved therapeutic goods, unevaluated for efficacy, but allowed for use through the Special Access Scheme (SAS), the Authorised Prescriber Scheme or in a clinical trial via a health practitioner, under specific conditions and on a case-by-case basis. Doctors can either apply for approval to the SAS for individual patients or become an authorised prescriber, Dr Holtzman explains. “To become an authorised prescriber, you do need to do some training and be approved by an ethics committee and then by the TGA,” she says. Whether approved or not, (apart from Epidyolex used for the treatment of Dravet syndrome), medical cannabis isn’t subsidised under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. Cannabinoids – THC versus CBD More than 560 different natural compounds have been identified in Cannabis sativa, according to a 2023 article in Horticulture Research. The most studied and best known are the cannabinoids, rich in the plant and thought to be responsible for any therapeutic effects: more than 130 different kinds (within 11 subclasses) have been identified. These include THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol), which many of us have heard of, as well as less known and studied cannabinoids like CBC (cannabichromene) and CBN (cannabinol). THC is the ingredient responsible for feeling high and hallucinations. Research shows it also has analgesic, antiepileptic, antispastic, antitumour and antiemetic (anti-vomiting) effects. CBD, the second most studied compound, has been found to be an antiinflammatory, antidepressant and anti-epilepsy, and has activity against glaucoma, according to a journal article by Chinese researchers in Horticulture Research . THC is the ingredient responsible for feeling high and hallucinations. Research shows it also has analgesic, antiepileptic, antispastic, antitumour and antiemetic (anti-vomiting) effects. CBD, the second most studied compound, has been found to be an antiinflammatory, antidepressant and anti-epilepsy, and has activity against glaucoma, according to a journal article by Chinese researchers in Horticulture Research . Unapproved medicinal cannabis products are categorised into broad groups based on their proportion of CBD or THC compared to overall cannabinoids. Prepared products are either CBDor THC-dominant or a balanced mix of both, vary in strength and include low- and high-dose forms. TGA requirements mean the amount of CBD or THC present must be listed on

There is a lot of self-talk that goes on within all of us. You know the kind of thing: “Stupid! Why did I have to mention the echidna?!” or “This shirt is really workin’ for me today! Smokin’!” Or, “Will I look like a pig if I eat that last biscotti? I really want it, though. Maybe if I create a distraction by setting the packets of sugar on fi re, I can grab it while everyone debates whether a latté will put out a sugar fire?” While you may have not had those exact thoughts, you will have had others according to your own inner voice. Undoubtedly, your inner thoughts contribute to your outer decisions and behaviour, but they are not the entire story. There will also have been times when you have had a gut feeling or instinct about a situation that was beyond rational understanding. In a highly rational age, we tend to dismiss those gut instincts because they don’t fit a scientific model of sequential reasoning and understanding. However, the more we study gut feelings, the more we realise they contain valuable information and can lead to better decision-making. Unconscious information Did you know you have sensory organs that gather information? Your eyes, ears and taste buds all register what is happening in the world around you and send data to your brain, which synthesises that data and makes decisions. However, that is not the end of the data-gathering network that your brain has at its disposal. Sensors in your muscles, organs and bones all send additional streams of data to a part of the brain called the insula. Signals such as breathing rate, heart rate and body temperature are all somatic markers that provide feedback to your brain. This accessing of unconscious information that occupies the fringes of your awareness is known as “interoception” and it forms a vital component of good decision-making. When you encounter a new situation, your brain is unconsciously scrolling through stored past experiences, looking for patterns that match your current experience. When a potentially relevant pattern is detected, it is your somatic markers that let your brain know, through changed breathing, altered heart rate or tensed muscles. This is all an unconscious process, but it translates into nameless feelings, your gut instinct. On top of external stimulation and interoceptive data, your brain also accesses your current active thoughts. This treasure trove of data is integrated into a single snapshot of your condition at any given moment, and your brain sums it all up, making decisions as to what a scenario means and what you need to do. While the conscious parts of awareness are easy to value simply because you are aware of them, your unconscious, interoceptive gut feelings are less valued but equally as useful. In fact, a study published in the journal Cognition found that damage to a part of the prefrontal cortex in the brain can decouple the brain from interoceptive input, which does not reduce intellect but does impair the ability to learn from negative feedback. Your gut feelings, the interoceptive information that your body sends to your brain, are a vital part of how you navigate the world. Your body knows The stock market is by no means a warm and fuzzy place. Large sums of money are exchanged, and it is all based on rationality. Or is it? Research tells us that stock market traders are highly influenced by their gut feelings. One study from the journal Scientific Reports asked high-frequency male hedge fund traders to count their own heartbeats without touching their chest or pulse points. Compared to a control group of male university students, the stock market traders were much better at detecting and counting their own heartbeat. The traders with the most experience were even better than other traders, and ability to detect heart rate was directly correlated with how long they had been trading. The researchers made the point that gut feelings are important for stock market traders in making decisions and they will often go with what “feels right”, responding to their own internal interoceptive signals, even if they are not aware that they are doing so. Research by Portuguese neuroscientist Antonio Damasio has repeatedly shown that your body can work out patterns long before your brain does. If you can tap into that knowledge, then you can make better decisions, even when they are major life decisions. Big decisions Deciding to get married is a big call. Marriage can be a challenging business and should not be entered into lightly after sharing a couple of glasses of champagne and some tonsil hockey at your friend’s housewarming party. You do need to give some careful conscious thought to your choice of partner, but your gut feelings can play a vital role, too. A study published in the journal Science asked 135 heterosexual couples who had been married less than six months to answer questions about their relationship. The individuals were asked to report their relationship satisfaction and the nature and degree of their relationship problems. The conscious attitudes of the participants toward their relationship were also assessed by asking them to choose adjectives to describe their relationship from opposing pairs such as “good” or “bad” and “satisfied” or “unsatisfied”. That was fine as far as establishing the participants’ conscious attitudes, but the researchers wanted to establish their gut feelings, or unconscious attitudes, as well. To do this, they flashed a photo of the participant’s partner on a computer screen for one third of a second followed by a positive word like “awesome” or “terrific” or a negative word such as “awful” or “terrible”. The participants then had to press a key on a keyboard to indicate whether the word was positive or negative. It has been established in other research that people who have a positive feeling about their spouse are quick to recognise positive words but slower to recognise negative words. Similarly, people with a negative attitude