What's That Rash?

The world is full of distractions, and our biggest one might be the phone in our hands.
Many people feel their attention spans have suffered from endlessly "doomscrolling" online.
Norman and Tegan discuss what has actually happened to our attention in the age of social media.
Check out Science Friction: Brain Rot for more on what technology is doing to our brains.
References:
A comprehensive review of attention tests: can we assess what we exactly do not understand?
Quantifying attention span across the lifespan
Are attention spans really shrinking? What the science says
Is there a Flynn effect for attention? Cross-temporal meta-analytical evidence for better test performance (1990–2021)
Memory failure predicted by attention lapsing and media multitasking
Cognitive control in media multitaskers
Digital self-control interventions for distracting media multitasking - A systematic review
“Phone in the Room, Mind on the Roam”: Investigating the Impact of Mobile Phone Presence on Distraction
Brain Drain: The Mere Presence of One’s Own Smartphone Reduces Available Cognitive Capacity 
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We've received questions from listeners worried that other people can smell their age.
So is "old person smell" a thing? And do you need expensive soap to combat it?
Norman and Tegan discuss some of the science underpinning this supposed phenomenon, and where marketing tricks play a part.
References:
2-Nonenal Newly Found in Human Body Odor Tends to Increase with Aging
Measurement of 2-nonenal and diacetyl emanating from human skin surface employing passive flux sampler—GCMS system
Analyses of volatile organic compounds from human skin
The effect of polyphenol-containing soap on reducing body odor in middle-aged and elderly men
The Smell of Age: Perception and Discrimination of Body Odors of Different Ages
Diet quality and the attractiveness of male body odor
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Don't sweat it? Conventional vs natural deodorants
What has your nose got to do with sleep?

Introvert or extrovert, we've all been told about the importance of social connection to our health.
Isolation can have knock-on effects for your brain health – and the health of the rest of your body.
Norman and Tegan unpack how many friends the average person "needs" and what happens when you're alone but not lonely.
References:
Social ties and health: the benefits of social integration
Social isolation: a predictor of mortality comparable to traditional clinical risk factors
The Connection Prescription: Using the Power of Social Interactions and the Deep Desire for Connectedness to Empower Health and Wellness
Friendships, Subjective Age, and Life Satisfaction of Women in Midlife
The American Friendship Project: A report on the status and health of friendship in America
Social connection linked to improved health and reduced risk of early death – World Health Organization
Differential Social Cognitive Performance in Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment and Dementia
Introvert vs Social Anxiety: How to tell the difference 
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Is retirement bad for you?
Chronotypes: early birds vs night owls
Should you aim for an alkaline lifestyle?

You might've heard you'll burn more fat if you exercise in the morning before, or in lieu of breakfast.
There is some research to back that claim up, but the science on fasted exercise isn’t clear cut.
Norman and Tegan work through the evidence on exercising on an empty stomach, and what you can do to maximise your workouts.
References:
Effects of fasted vs fed-state exercise on performance and post-exercise metabolism: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Effect of Overnight Fasted Exercise on Weight Loss and Body Composition: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Interval training in the fed or fasted state improves body composition and muscle oxidative capacity in overweight women
Effects of exercise before or after meal ingestion on fat balance and postprandial metabolism in overweight men
Effects of time-restricted eating with exercise on body composition in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Exercising in the Fasted State Reduced 24-Hour Energy Intake in Active Male Adults
Appetite, energy intake and resting metabolic responses to 60 min treadmill running performed in a fasted versus a postprandial state
Fasting Before Evening Exercise Reduces Net Energy Intake and Increases Fat Oxidation, but Impairs Performance in Healthy Males and Females
Fasted cardio is an attempt to burn stored fat
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What's the best time of day to exercise?
What are the health benefits of coffee?
Do glasses make your eyesight worse?

Sit back and relax. Close your eyes. Imagine you're sitting on a calm beach. Now, do you feel more open to suggestion?
Hypnotherapy has been around for centuries, and you might've heard about it being used for everything from PTSD to addiction and even IBS.
Norman and Tegan guide us through the evidence for using hypnosis in a therapeutic setting, and whether there are any downsides.
References:
Brain Activity and Functional Connectivity Associated with Hypnosis
Not everyone can be hypnotized - and researchers are one step closer to understanding why
Functional Brain Basis of Hypnotizability
A Systematic Review of Hypnosis for Clinical Pain Relief
The effectiveness of hypnosis for pain relief: A systematic review and meta-analysis of 85 controlled experimental trials
Hypnosis as a non-pharmacological intervention for invasive medical procedures - A systematic review and meta-analytic update
Gut-directed hypnotherapy for IBS: what is it and what are the options?
Gut-Directed Hypnotherapy for Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Does hypnotherapy help people who are trying to stop smoking? - Cochrane Review
Effectiveness of hypnosis in adults with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
A Meta-Analysis of Hypnotherapeutic Techniques in the Treatment of PTSD Symptoms
Hypnotherapy in the Treatment of Chronic Combat-Related PTSD Patients Suffering From Insomnia: A Randomized, Zolpidem-Controlled Clinical Trial
Ericksonian hypnotherapy versus cognitive behavioral therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder
The Prefrontal Cortex and Suggestion: Hypnosis vs. Placebo Effects
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Why do we dream?