Dr Joe Unplugged

Dr Joe Unplugged is your home for open commentary on health, wellbeing, and life in the broadest sense. We will explore diet, exercise, sleep, and stress amongst other health matters as well as issues that may impact you and your well-being in direct or indirect ways....

It’s Christmas!

If Christmas did not exist it would need to be invented. Perfectly timed at the end of the year, it allows many people worldwide to celebrate in some way, shape or form. This may be a formal religious celebration or simply a catch-up with friends and family. Given...

We Need Our Sleep

The importance of sleep cannot be overstated, as human beings spend more time sleeping than engaging in any other activity, yet many still neglect its crucial role in overall health. Human beings spend more time being asleep than anything else. It is estimated that at...
Freedom And Wisdom

Freedom And Wisdom

In 2004 James Surowiecki wrote a book called “The Wisdom of Crowds”. It made the point that decisions made by large numbers of people individually and independently (they hadn’t gotten together to discuss it) were more likely to be correct than those made by experts....

What You Need To Know About Drinking And Sex?

What You Need To Know About Drinking And Sex?

How alcohol might be impacting on your sex life Drinking has long been associated with sex and seduction. Often it takes a few drinks before we feel brave enough to approach someone, bars are a common setting for getting to know a new date, and it’s hard to picture a...

What To Do When You’re Called On To Save A Life

What To Do When You’re Called On To Save A Life

Did you know that heart disease is Australia’s number one killer taking a precious life every 26 minutes? According to recent research conducted by St John Ambulance WA, cardiac arrest is a leading cause of death, with St John paramedics attending to 2,451...

Thriving Without Nanny

Thriving Without Nanny

Recently I made my first sojourn to Europe. This surprised many people given that clearly my family hails from there (on both sides). Aside the history and scenery, it is interesting to see different countries approaches to universal issues. Europe has the reputation...

A No Brainer

A No Brainer

Many people are frustrated by the slow progress of the cause to legalise vaping and help smokers reduce harm in Australia. Whilst there is still a way to go, we have made a significant step forward. The WA Liberal party recently passed at its state conference, a...

10 Tips For Taking Good Care Of Your Teeth

10 Tips For Taking Good Care Of Your Teeth

It’s important to keep the sparkle in your smile!  With family and friends gathered around, great food, drinks, andfestivities everywhere you go, it’s really important to take the time out to care for your teeth and gums. After all, an aching or broken tooth or...

Are Doctors Allowed To Have Freedom Of Speech?

Are Doctors Allowed To Have Freedom Of Speech?

Recently the code of practice of doctors proposed to restrict freedom of speech for doctors. Of course, such terms were not directly used in the proposition of the code, but in the newly introduced section of professionalism it stated that: “Community trust in the...

Disenfranchised Grief And Weight Loss

Disenfranchised Grief And Weight Loss

I want to talk about a type of loss that isn’t weight loss and yet it is profoundly linked to weight loss. It is the feeling of loss that people may experience when they once had lost significant amounts of weight, subsequently regained it often ending up with even...

Shooting The Messenger

Shooting The Messenger

Recently I had the honour of giving the Michael Russell Oration (click here to watch) at the Global Forum on Nicotine. This event was all about helping reduce the disease and death toll from smoking. Like many industries, the quit smoking one is ripe for disruption...

The Importance Of Mental Health First Aid

The Importance Of Mental Health First Aid

Did you know that one in five Australians experience a mental illness each year? In fact, mental illness is now the third leading cause of disability burden in this country, making it more important than ever to understand how to support a colleague, friend or family...