logo
The Vagus Nerve and Mental Health

The Vagus Nerve and Mental Health

RNZ News26-05-2025

Our vagus nerves help us rest, digest and restore, but is there really a way to reset them to feel better?
Dr Theresa Larkin
is an academic in Graduate Medicine at the University of Wollongong and joins Jim to discuss
the role vagus nerves play
in our physical and mental health
.
Photo:
3DMEDISPHERE/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRA

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Life X DNA™ Expands Access To Genetic Methylation Testing In Canberra
Life X DNA™ Expands Access To Genetic Methylation Testing In Canberra

Scoop

time14 hours ago

  • Scoop

Life X DNA™ Expands Access To Genetic Methylation Testing In Canberra

Life X DNA™, an Australia-based provider of advanced DNA analysis, has announced the availability of its genetic methylation testing in Canberra services in Canberra, ACT. The company's at-home test kits are designed to offer individuals insights into their genetic methylation pathways, including analysis of the MTHFR gene and related health markers. Methylation is a fundamental biochemical process that influences DNA repair, detoxification, cardiovascular health, and neurological function. Variations in genes such as MTHFR can impact the efficiency of these processes, potentially affecting an individual's risk for certain health conditions. Through methylation tests, users can assess their genetic predispositions and receive information that may assist in making informed decisions about diet, supplementation, and lifestyle. The Life X DNA™ service utilises a simple cheek swab to collect DNA samples, which are then analysed using next-generation sequencing and AI-powered software. According to the company, the analysis covers over 200 million SNPs and more than 80 million variants. The resulting reports provide detailed information on methylation efficiency, MTHFR gene variants, homocysteine levels, and associated health risks. Recommendations are tailored to the individual's genetic profile. In Canberra, genetic methylation testing is available via mail-order kits, making the process accessible without the need for clinic visits. The reports generated from these tests are intended for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to diagnose or treat medical conditions. Life X DNA™ is fully Australian owned and operated, with data privacy and security protocols in place. The company states that personal genetic data is not shared with third parties and is stored securely offline. The expansion of genetic methylation testing in Canberra reflects growing interest in personalised health insights based on DNA analysis. Life X DNA™'s services are also available in other major Australian cities and New Zealand.

Health NZ planned to vacate Segar House before public consultation, emails reveal
Health NZ planned to vacate Segar House before public consultation, emails reveal

RNZ News

time21 hours ago

  • RNZ News

Health NZ planned to vacate Segar House before public consultation, emails reveal

Ingrid Leary Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone Health New Zealand intended to vacate at the end of January a central Auckland building occupied by a mental health service facing closure, correspondence shows. Labour's mental health spokeswoman, Ingrid Leary, said this shows officials originally intended to axe the service last year, but Health NZ said this isn't the case. It has proposed closing Rauaroha Segar House , a publicly funded intensive programme for people with long-standing or chronic mental health problems. Segar House. Photo: Google Maps Street View It's consulting on the proposal now , as staff rally to keep a service they and many patients say is unique. The programme at Segar House mixes individual therapy with group work and it runs from a building on Khyber Pass Road. Correspondence obtained from Health NZ by Leary shows officials gave the building owner formal notice on 16 December of its intention to vacate the building by 31 January. Another email showed the lease was previously slated to run out on 31 December. There is no mention in the correspondence of possible alternative venues for the programme. By 20 December, Health NZ's position had changed. "I would like to start by firstly apologising profusely for what I am about to write," Health NZ's real estate and space manager for its northern region, Harshna Mistry, wrote to a representative of the building owner. "It is wildly unusual for us to be this indecisive and I can only hope you can be understanding given the current financial and organisational challenges we as an organisation face. "My seniors have contacted me today to request if we can actually remain in the Khyber Pass property until 1 June 2025. It seems the service are not as prepared to vacate as we would have hoped. "I am truly sorry for the flip-flopping. I appreciate this is frustrating for you (I share this sentiment)." Health NZ has confirmed to RNZ that the lease for the building now runs until 30 September, having since been extended again. Leary said the emails she obtained were revealing. "It's very clear from the official documents that the plan was to shut down Segar House before the end of last year or at the end of January at the latest and there was no intention or open-mindedness about letting the service continue," she said. "It's very clear from the documents that the cost of the lease was a significant factor in their thinking." Health NZ denies this. RNZ has asked Health NZ if it intended to shut the service by January and, if not, what efforts it had made last year to search for an alternative venue for it. Its group director of operations for Te Toka Tumai Auckland Michael Shepherd said lease renewal wasn't a factor in its decision making. "We had not made any decisions about the service or committed to a change process last year," he said. "We were considering the range of ways we deliver our specialist mental health services in order to provide the best healthcare to our community, including the best value for taxpayer funding. "We therefore extended the lease for six months to allow for further work to occur. But no decisions had been made. "We assessed some other options, including internal and external facilities, to confirm we had suitable options to be able to continue the service. These did not need to be progressed because we were able to extend the lease." Staff were told about the closure proposal in early April, according to a document seen by RNZ. Leary said if there was a move to close the service earlier and staff weren't told then that showed bad faith when entering the present round of consultation. The tone of the emails was unusual and it showed the chaos caused by cuts to the health budget, she said. Just days before confirming the lease flip-flop, Mistry wrote to the building representative that extending the lease would be unlikely. "As you are aware Te Whatu Ora is in a significant period of flux at the moment and I apologise for the impact this is having on our external partners like yourselves. "I have discussed the details of the lease with my superiors. The appetite to absorb the necessary legal costs and go through the process of extending for a further six months is not something the organisation has funding for at this time." An internal email between Health NZ officials in March this year speaks of further extensions to the lease, which have since happened. "Recognising the lease and utilities cost approximately $165,000 per annum, we need to be confident the additional cost is essential," it said. Earlier this week Shepherd said Health NZ was on 18 June informed the Khyber Pass building was being sold. "A prospective buyer was scheduled to inspect the property on the same day. We informed the Rauaroha Segar House team about this on Wednesday morning [last week] by email." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

Construction begins on new $88 million mental health centre in Lower Hutt
Construction begins on new $88 million mental health centre in Lower Hutt

RNZ News

timea day ago

  • RNZ News

Construction begins on new $88 million mental health centre in Lower Hutt

Health Minister Simeon Brown. Photo: RNZ / REECE BAKER Construction has begun on a new $88 million mental health unit in Lower Hutt, which the government says will improve mental health outcomes for New Zealanders. The Sir Mark Dunajtschik Mental Health Centre will provide 34 adult acute inpatient beds - ten more than the existing Te Whare Ahuru. The government was investing $38 million in the construction of the facility, while $50 million was being donated by Wellington philanthropist Sir Mark Dunajtschik. Sir Mark also donated $50 million towards the new Wellington Children's Hospital in 2017. This morning Health Minister Simeon Brown, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey and Hutt South MP Chris Bishop all took part in a sod-turning ceremony to celebrate the start of a project. Doocey said Sir Mark's contribution would leave a legacy of hope and care that would benefit generations to come. He said the purpose-built centre would help ensure New Zealanders in distress receive timely, appropriate care. "This project is about more than bricks and mortar. It's about improving lives and delivering the mental health outcomes New Zealanders deserve," he said. Doocey said people experiencing severe distress deserved care in the right environment, at the right time. "It's not only better for them, but it also helps take pressure off our busy emergency departments," he said. "That's why mental health care must be underpinned by high-quality infrastructure that enables clinicians and support staff to deliver the safe, effective, compassionate care Kiwis deserve." Brown said it was an important milestone for Lower Hutt and the wider region. He said the new facility would be purpose-built to support modern models of care, which would help to deliver better outcomes for patients and their families. "It will also enhance the region's mental health infrastructure, offering safer, more therapeutic spaces for those in urgent need." The current Te Whare Ahuru acute inpatient unit was built in 1995. In 2021, it came under fire from the Chief Ombudsman for being not fit for purpose. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store