Brainstorm | Opinion, Analysis, Reports, Features

'The theory behind the olive oil trick is that its high-fat content forms a coating on the stomach lining, slowing down the rate at which alcohol is absorbed into the bloodstream'

Can a shot of olive oil really prevent a hangover?

Many cures and remedies like this are hyped and eulogised, but scientific evidence for their effectiveness is lacking

Health • 22 Jul 24

Weightlifting has many benefits. Photo: CCISUL/ Shutterstock

How to start weightlifting

Here are a few things to know if you're keen to start building your strength

Fitness • 18 Jul 24

'Both clinicians and patients have valuable expertise to contribute when choosing the right treatment plan for chronic pain'. Photo: Getty Images

5 qualities a health professional needs for treating chronic pain

Finding the right healthcare professionals is essential when managing chronic pain, so what should you look for in this support team?

Health • 09 Jul 24

'Even if you don't drink coffee or tea, you probably still regularly consume caffeine in everything from fizzy drinks and cold remedies to chocolate.'

Can quitting coffee really benefit your health?

If you're thinking about giving up caffeine and are wondering what benefits it may have, here's what the research says

Coffee • 08 Jul 24

'We are more often ill during summer holiday journeys than during our normal comings and goings.' Photo: Getty Images

Why are so many of us affected by motion sickness?

Nearly a third of us experience motion sickness but we still don't exactly know what causes it

Health • 04 Jul 24

'Our relationships with gardens are deeply multifaceted and personal.' Photo: Mud Island Community Garden Dublin

Why an urban garden is good for you and everyone else

Urban gardens have been shown to improve your wellbeing, increase garden biodiversity and support wildlife

Gardens • 01 Jul 24

Research shows newborns prefer the sound of their mother's voice and more so when that voice is singing. Photo: Getty Images

Why singing and music is good for you and your baby

Research shows singing is good for you during pregnancy and for bonding with your baby

Music Therapy • 27 Jun 24

'You get the same benefits, whether it's walking or jogging, but you have to spend a lot more time walking to get those benefits'. Photo: Getty Images

Is walking better than running for your health?

It's not the type of exercise you do but the fact that you actually do one or the other which leads to health benefits

Health • 27 Jun 24

For about 20% of the population, the fear of needles goes beyond just not liking them. Photo: Getty Images

Are you afraid of needles? Help may be at hand

New needle patches are in development which can safely and efficiently deliver medicine through your skin without any pain

Health • 27 Jun 24

'The integration of metallodrugs with immunotherapy and targeted therapy could lead to more comprehensive and personalised treatment strategies.'

How metallodrugs are fighting cancer in unexpected ways

We can expect to see more sophisticated and targeted metallodrugs designed to minimise side effects and overcome resistance

Chemistry • 24 Jun 24

They could go anywhere.... Photo: New Africa/Shutterstock

What happens when your body organs aren't where they should be?

From the heart to the liver, somepeople's body organs end up in the 'wrong' place because of developmental issues

Health • 21 Jun 24

'Policies related to vaping products, especially their use indoors, are lax, vary across countries and have fewer restrictions.'

How vaping has an unhealthy impact on indoor air quality

One of the most noticeable byproducts of vaping is the increase in particulate matter pollution and poor indoor air quality.

vaping • 21 Jun 24

Only cooking can remove the harmful pathogens raw chicken contains. Photo: Nerudol/ Shutterstock

Here's why chicken doesn't need to be washed before cooking

Only cooking can remove the harmful pathogens raw chicken contains and washing chicken can actually increase your risk of foodborne illness

Food • 14 Jun 24

Honey may indirectly influence how severely we react to seasonal pollen. Photo: Africa Studio/ Shutterstock

Does science back up using honey to get relief from hay fever?

New research into the folk remedy of honey to alleviate hay fever symptoms have yielded some intriguing findings

Hay Fever • 14 Jun 24

The trend may make it easier to build other healthy habits into the rest of your day – but it's by no means a perfect formula for weight loss. Photo: Getty Images

All you need to know about TikTok's 30-30-30 fitness trend

The biggest benefit of the 30-30-30 method is that it might help you build healthier habits into your daily life

Health • 12 Jun 24

Photo: European Coalition for People living with Obesity Image Bank

How obesity can impact the immune system

Excess weight can interfere with our immune system, making it easier to get sick and making illnesses hit us harder

Health • 11 Jun 24

Doing work that you're passionate about may be a career goal for many, but it can lead to a strain on your mental health and relationships. Photo: DavideAngelini/Shutterstock

Having a meaningful job is great – until it takes over your life

Prioritising work over yourself and going without time for recovery can result in exhaustion, chronic stress and burnout

Work and careers • 11 Jun 24

These colourful pigments abundant in green leafy vegetables and fruits have important functions in the eye and brain. Photo: Getty Images

How what you eat as a child can affect your eye health

Macular pigment is linked to both eye and cognitive health and comes from certain nutrients in food

Health • 05 Jul 24

Brain development and function research is on the verge of identifying the mechanisms by which genes and the environment interact. Photo: Getty Images

How the environment shapes our brains

In addition to genetic factors, non-genetic factors influence how an embryo develops, including how its brain develops

Health • 31 May 24

There are some relationships that only feed and perpetuate the negativity within us, and other relationships that help us address the negative things in our lives. Photo: Getty Images

Does 'whining' really make you happier?

Does misery really like company so much that we might enjoy being miserable? Let's take a closer look

Psychology • 28 May 24

'Petting any type of animal will boost oxytocin'. Photo: Getty Images

The secret to happy hormones? Hugs, exercise, pets and cheese

You can boost your stocks of dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin and endorphins in a number of different - and surprising - ways

Health • 27 May 24

We can begin to tackle it by identifying how and why cognitive issues first appear in people with cancer. Photo: Getty Images

How can we prevent 'chemobrain' for cancer patients?

Scientists are investigating how cancer causes changes in people's bodies that may impair their ability to think clearly

Health • 24 May 24

Running every day could cause harm to your body. Photo: Getty Images

Run streaks: is it safe to run every day?

The "run streak" trend means there are no days off and this could have many potential pitfalls for runners

Running • 23 May 24

Get happy: these hormones are important for our mood, behaviour and bodily functions. Photo: Getty Images

All you need to know about your 4 'happy' hormones

Dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin and endorphins are dubbed the happy hormones because they boost and regulate our mood every day

Neuroscience • 16 May 24

What's that pong? Oh, it's me. Photo: Krakenimages.com/Shutterstock

Gym hygiene guide: how often do you clean your gym gear?

Studies have highlighted the dangerous bacteria that lurk in dirty fitness equipment and sweaty clothes

Hygiene • 14 May 24

Health