In this edition of the Healthspan Insider, Melbourne Functional Medicine’s Mark Payne reviews new research shaping longevity and health optimisation. Discover how gut-brain signalling shapes memory decline, effort rewires dopamine-driven motivation, sleep loss disrupts brain reset cycles, and emerging lipid signals target senescent cells – to guide your personal optimisation journey.
Hydration shapes stress response, fasting windows drive ageing, and sleep signals future disease
In this edition of the Healthspan Insider, Melbourne Functional Medicine’s Mark Payne reviews new research shaping longevity and optimisation – from hydration and stress biology to fasting windows, sleep-based disease prediction, anxiety metabolism, and exercise-driven inflammation.
Plastics interact with Alzheimer’s genes, exosomes reflect age, diet and immune tools protect brain
In this edition of the Healthspan Insider, Melbourne Functional Medicine’s Mark Payne reviews new research shaping the future of longevity and optimisation. Discover how diet, immune signalling, microplastics, and digital biomarkers influence brain health, ageing, and performance – and how to apply these findings to your own optimisation journey.
8 things I’ve learned about biohacking for women
Most biohacking advice is based on men. In this article, Health Coach Liv shares 8 powerful insights every woman should know to train smarter, fuel better, and recover fully – based on physiology, not guesswork.
G4-DNA reveals a new molecular key to memory
Dynamic DNA structure controls memory formation by switching genes on and off. A specific DNA shape, G-quadruplex (G4-DNA), builds up in neurons during learning and regulates memory-related gene activity. Adjusting this structure alters memory formation, highlighting a new molecular mechanism underpinning brain plasticity and cognitive health.
How trauma during pregnancy shapes future generations
Violence experienced by Syrian refugee women during pregnancy leaves biological marks on future generations, altering DNA methylation and accelerating biological ageing in children. These findings reveal an intergenerational epigenetic signature of trauma, with potential long-term impacts on healthspan and resilience across generations.
Can feeling thankful help you live longer?
Experiencing greater gratitude was linked with lower risk of death over three years in nearly 50,000 older women, suggesting it may support healthier ageing and longer life.
How to use breathwork to enhance your VO2 max
Boost your VO₂ max and overall fitness through targeted breathwork techniques like segmental breathing and thoracic expansion. These practices strengthen respiratory muscles, improve oxygen efficiency, and support better exercise performance, endurance, and long-term health.
How essential oils at night boosted memory in older adults
Nightly exposure to essential oils significantly enhanced memory and altered brain structure in older adults. A simple 2-hour olfactory enrichment using diffusers improved verbal recall and modified key neural pathways, offering a low-effort, non-invasive approach to support cognitive health and brain ageing.
Preserving cognitive function through improved lymphatic drainage
Restoring cervical lymphatic vessel function in ageing improves brain drainage, reduces inflammation, and enhances cognitive function. This approach could counter age-related cognitive decline, supporting healthier ageing and potentially extending healthspan.
