Mind & Body: The Hidden Conversation

Gut-brain connection is arguably one of the hot topics of today, with endless discussion in the public domain about the gut and well-being. One fascinating way to understand the gut and brain is via the experience of disgust. Disgust is a core emotion, often producing an unsettled/nauseous feeling in our stomach. My research focuses on how the brain and stomach communicate in disgust, with hopes to even try to alter it. By the end of this talk, I hope to convince you that disgust is not all about strange or yucky stuff but is a great way to understand how our brain and body are connected.

Have you ever noticed that our teenagers are often ‘night owls’ preferring to stay up late and wake up slowly? Have you ever thought this was just laziness? In fact, this is a biological process that occurs when the body’s internal clock (or circadian rhythm) shifts to a later time during adolescence. Here, I will talk about why that might lead teenagers to experience ‘social jetlag’ – a mismatch between when their body clock tells them to sleep and when society expects them to sleep. Come along to discuss how social jetlag may impact mental health and what we should do about it.

Forget counting calories – what if the secret to better health is when you eat, not just what you eat? Our bodies run on internal clocks that influence everything from sleep and mood to metabolism and body weight. In this talk, we’ll explore the science of circadian rhythms and how your daily meal schedule can make a big difference. From skipping breakfast and intermittent fasting to beating jet lag after transatlantic travel, we’ll dive into the power of food timing – not just for weight control but for boosting wellbeing and even supporting healthy ageing and longevity. Grab a drink, and let’s talk food, fat, and the ticking clock inside us all.