How does food affect our mood? Does diet actually impact our mental health? What is a gut micro-biome, and can we still eat a few chips without ruining it?

In this Academy of Imperfection episode, we are joined one of the worlds leading experts on the relationship between what we eat, and how it effects our mental health, Professor Felice Jacka.

And if can we trust anyone to get to the bottom of the vagus nerve ‘highway’; our hippocampus shrinking; our mitochondrial reaction to ultra-processed foods (don’t worry we didn’t know these words before either) - it’s her.

There was a lot to 'digest' in this chat (so to speak), but thankfully, there is so much we can do, by making informed choices about what we put in our bodies, to improve our mental health.

See below for links & research mentioned in this episode, information on Felice and her work and extra resources:

📖 Things to read

• The Food and Mood centre - https://bit.ly/3xdmkjw.
• Felice’s published research - https://deakin.au/3VWggpb,
• Felice’s shorter articles - https://bit.ly/3RvfeO2.
• Felice’s recent research in Molecular Psychiatry Review -https://go.nature.com/3xozlqq.
• SMILEs trial - https://bit.ly/3KLjGEL.
• Kevin Hall’s study on Ultra-Processed food - https://bit.ly/3z7akjY.
• Brain Changer, Felice Jacka, https://bit.ly/3xpYGjJ,
• There’s a Zoo in my Poo, Felice Jack & Rob Craw https://bit.ly/3RrHxNd.

🎧 previous Imperfects Episodes mentioned in this episode:

• Tim Spector - https://link.chtbl.com/timspector.

This episode with Professor Felice Jacka includes a discussion about disordered eating. If this feels like too much for you right now, please come back to this episode when you're feeling ready.

If you or someone you love is experiencing disordered eating, we recommend the following organisations:

• The Butterfly Foundation https://bit.ly/48YCSZe
• Eating Disorders Families Australia https://bit.ly/3TLU7J5
• Uncovery https://bit.ly/3x4IOCO

The Imperfects is not a licensed mental health service and is not a substitute for professional mental health advice, treatment or assessment. The advice given in this episode is general in nature, but if you’re struggling, please see a healthcare professional, or call lifeline on 13 11 14.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last season we met Chanel Contos from Teach Us Consent and we were completely blown away by her courage and the work she's taking on. So much so, that within minutes of Hugh opening and reading Chanel’s book, “Consent Laid Bare”, he had nominated her for Australian of The Year.

In this snippet from the full episode, Hugh, Ryan, Josh and Chanel discuss the normalised and systemic nature of sexual violence against women and the pervasive issue of rape culture; including what it is and how we can all take steps to dismantle it.

To learn more about Chanel, her work and the Teach Us Consent campaign, follow this link: https://bit.ly/3QVhlK0

🎧 Things to listen to

• Chanel Contos - https://link.chtbl.com/mhDPOcpH

📖 Things to read

• Consent Laid Bare - https://bit.ly/40Z0Xgh

• To view a version of the 'rape culture pyramid' - https://bit.ly/49XPFgh

The Imperfects is not a licensed mental health service and is not a substitute for professional mental health advice, treatment or assessment. The advice given in this episode is general in nature, but if you’re struggling, please see a healthcare professional, or call lifeline on 13 11 14.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What would it feel like to have the very thing that mad you great - your body, strength and co-ordination - slowly and painfully taken away from you?

As a swimmer, Michael Klim was on top of the world - he was literally ‘World Swimmer of the Year’. Trips to the Olympics, medals of every colour, 21 world records AND his face on the cover of a Foo Fighters Album, Michael really did have it all.

However, in 2022 Michael was diagnosed with a life changing condition, wherein your body attacks it’s own tissue - chronic inflammatory demyelination polyneuropathy (CIDP).

In this episode, Hugh, Ryan and Josh chat to Michael about his equally impressive life out of the pool, and how his CIDP diagnosis has taught him a lot about identity, grief and relationships.

In 2023, Michael partnered with Australian Red Cross Lifeblood to help raise awareness for the vital role blood donation plays in not just his life, but the 1 in 3 Australians who will need blood products in their lifetime. To help recipients like Michael and countless others book a blood donation here. https://bit.ly/4c8Z6tN

To watch the full episode on YouTube, follow this link. https://bit.ly/3RHPUoi

Links mentioned in the episode and extra resources:

📺 Things to watch

• Homer Simpson’s journey through the Stages of Grief - https://bit.ly/4epRAMJ.
• The Imperfects x Lifeblood video - https://bit.ly/3z0Suiv

🎧 Previous Imperfects episodes mentioned in this episode:

• Tim Minchin - Lucky To Be Here https://link.chtbl.com/6kCw7ZR0
• Gina Chick - Don’t Fight Life https://link.chtbl.com/Ginachick
• Elizabeth Day - The Me-est Version of Me https://link.chtbl.com/elizabethday
• Reece Conca - Tackling Male Infertility https://link.chtbl.com/reececonca

📖 Things to read

• Kubler-Ross Grief Cycle is here https://bit.ly/45tThVu

⛑️ To support

• Lifeblood - https://bit.ly/4c8Z6tN
• The Klim Foundation - bit.ly/4ejtGTj

🎧 Things to listen to:

• Milkshakes for Marlee - https://bit.ly/4cwRDEW

The Imperfects is not a licensed mental health service and is not a substitute for professional mental health advice, treatment or assessment. The advice given in this episode is general in nature, but if you’re struggling, please see a healthcare professional, or call lifeline on 13 11 14.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.