#HealthEducation

Exercise enthusiasts in Thailand seeking easier ways to optimize their calorie burn may have encountered the term EPOC — Excess Post-Exercise Oxygen Consumption — often referred to as the “afterburn effect”. Recent research provides new clarity on how this physiological phenomenon can help you continue burning calories even after you’ve left the gym, igniting fresh interest in high-intensity workouts and smarter exercise strategies nationwide.

EPOC describes how your body, during recovery from strenuous activity, consumes elevated levels of oxygen and burns more calories while returning to its resting state. In simple terms, it is the extra energy your body expends to reset itself after exercise, and the latest studies are sharpening our understanding of how individuals can harness this effect for better fitness outcomes and potential weight loss. The science behind EPOC has broad significance for Thai fitness enthusiasts, trainers, and health professionals, particularly as more of the population adopts rigorous exercise regimens, such as high-intensity interval training (HIIT), to counter rising rates of obesity and metabolic disease (Cleveland Clinic, U.S. News & World Report, Wikipedia).

Thai fitness enthusiasts are buzzing about EPOC — Excess Post-Exercise Oxygen Consumption — the so-called afterburn effect. New research helps explain how the body continues to burn calories after a workout, fueling interest in high-intensity training and smarter exercise plans across the country.

EPOC describes the elevated oxygen use and increased calorie burn that occur as the body recovers from strenuous activity. In simple terms, it is the extra energy your body expends to reset after exercise. Recent studies are clarifying how individuals can harness this recovery process for better fitness and potential weight management. For Thai trainers, health professionals, and exercisers, EPOC has particular relevance as more people adopt intense routines to address rising obesity and metabolic concerns. Data from reputable health outlets and medical institutions informs these insights.

A growing body of research highlights menopause as a pivotal life transition that can be managed with holistic care. Experts emphasize that comprehensive health strategies in the 40s and 50s can help women thrive, not simply endure, through midlife. In Western and Asian contexts alike, findings from respected medical centers stress that informed lifestyle choices and access to appropriate care shape better sleep, heart and bone health, mental clarity, and emotional balance.

A new wave of research is bringing renewed attention to the physical, mental, and sexual health of women navigating midlife, with experts highlighting the importance of a holistic approach to menopause and wellness. Recent findings shared by Mayo Clinic underscore that as women reach their 40s and 50s, comprehensive healthcare and informed lifestyle choices can make menopause a transformative, thriving stage rather than a period marked by decline or discomfort (Mayo Clinic Healthy Aging).

A sweeping analysis of TikTok’s most popular mental health advice videos has found that more than half contain misleading or incorrect information, raising alarms among healthcare professionals and policymakers about the social media giant’s growing influence on health behaviors worldwide. The investigation, which assessed 100 top-trending mental health advice clips on TikTok, concluded that 52 of these videos included some form of misinformation, often offering dubious quick fixes, misused psychological terminology, and claims devoid of scientific backing. As TikTok becomes a key source of health information for millions—especially the young—these findings highlight urgent global and Thai concerns about digital literacy, the risks of self-diagnosis, and the need for effective regulatory and educational responses.

A recent review of TikTok’s most-wollowed mental health advice videos reveals that more than half contain misinformation. This finding raises concerns for healthcare professionals and policymakers about how social media shapes health behaviors worldwide, including in Thailand.

The analysis examined 100 top-trending mental health clips on TikTok. It found that 52 videos included misinformation, often offering dubious quick fixes, misusing psychological terms, or lacking scientific backing. With millions turning to TikTok for health information—and a particularly young user base in Thailand—the study underscores the need for better digital health literacy and responsible platform governance.

A growing body of research warns that cannabis use among older adults carries increasing health risks, a concern that grows as legalization expands and social attitudes shift. A recent analysis highlights a sharp rise in cannabis consumption among people aged 65 and older, sparking urgent discussions among health professionals about safety, regulation, and how Thailand should respond in its rapidly aging society.

A cautionary incident underscores the issue: a 76-year-old woman seeking insomnia relief consumed several THC-laced edibles in one night, experiencing anxiety and heart palpitations that led to an emergency visit. She recovered and was discharged, but the episode illustrates vulnerabilities many seniors face. As a geriatrician notes, aging brains are more sensitive to psychoactive substances, a reality for Thai seniors with hypertension or arrhythmias, where drug interactions and falls could amplify risks.

A growing wave of scientific research is sounding the alarm on the increasing health risks linked to cannabis use among older adults, as usage climbs to record levels amidst expanded legalization and shifting social attitudes. The latest analysis, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), reveals a sharp uptick in cannabis consumption by individuals aged 65 and older, igniting urgent debate among health experts about the safety, efficacy, and regulation of cannabis use in Thailand’s rapidly aging society.

A surge of mental health content on TikTok is spreading misleading tips and confusing claims. New research highlighted by The Guardian shows videos range from trivializing serious conditions to promoting unproven treatments. Experts warn this trend fuels stigma and risky self-diagnosis, a particularly worrying development for Thai youth who spend大量 time on the platform.

Mental health has become a front-line issue in Thailand. The Covid-19 era intensified stress and isolation for young people and working adults. TikTok ranks among the most downloaded apps in Thailand, with millions turning to it for support and information. Data from Thailand’s Mental Health Department indicates rising cases of depression and anxiety since 2020, and digital platforms are increasingly a primary health resource for many young adults. The Bangkok Post notes these trends and underscores the need for accurate information in a country where health literacy varies by region and access remains uneven.

The viral popularity of mental health content on TikTok has led to a surge in misleading advice and misconceptions, with new research highlighted by The Guardian revealing that misinformation ranges from trivializing serious conditions to promoting unproven treatments. Experts warn that this trend not only stokes confusion but also risks worsening stigma and driving unsafe self-diagnosis—an especially troubling development for young Thais heavily active on the platform.

Mental health issues have become a frontline concern in Thai society, particularly since the Covid-19 pandemic intensified stress and isolation among youth and working adults. With TikTok ranking among the most downloaded apps in Thailand and millions of Thai users turning to the platform for support and information, the spread of health misinformation is a pressing national challenge. According to Mental Health Department statistics, Thailand saw significant increases in reported cases of depression and anxiety since 2020, and digital platforms are now a primary health resource for many young adults (Bangkok Post).

A new wave of research highlights a troubling trend: more people turning to herbal and dietary supplements for perceived health benefits, and an alarming rise in severe liver injury and liver failure linked to these products. Health professionals warn that “natural” does not always mean safe, especially for the liver, the body’s key detox engine.

The trend mirrors a global shift toward wellness, including in Thailand, where fitness routines, organic diets, and vitamin and herbal remedies are increasingly common. Brands promise longer life, weight loss, or stronger immunity. Yet experts warn these products can harm health rather than help, a concern echoed by recent studies in the United States that may have global implications, including Southeast Asia.

A recent wave of research has spotlighted a troubling trend: as more people embrace herbal and dietary supplements for perceived health benefits, cases of severe liver injury and even liver failure connected to these products are climbing at an alarming rate. This trend comes as health experts caution that supplements, frequently advertised as safe and “natural,” can in fact carry significant health risks—particularly to the liver, the body’s vital organ for filtering toxins.

As Thailand’s population ages rapidly, maintaining physical activity among older adults has become a public health priority. Recent research highlights not only the physical benefits of regular exercise but also the crucial role of motivation and tailored support in keeping seniors active—and independent—well into their later years. The latest findings, spotlighted in a report by Deseret News and supported by both scientific and Thai-specific studies, reveal that community, enjoyment, and personal meaning are key elements for seniors to keep moving (Deseret News, News-Medical.Net).

Thailand faces a rapidly aging population, making sustained activity among older adults a public health priority. New research emphasizes that motivation and tailored support are as crucial as guidelines for keeping seniors active and independent. Studies indicate that community, enjoyment, and personal meaning drive lasting engagement in physical activity.

A senior recreation program in the United States illustrates this approach in action. Participants gather regularly for exercises that build strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular health, guided by university students. The class is about camaraderie as much as fitness, with personalized adaptations and a powerful example from a 94-year-old participant who models commitment. “If she can do it, so can I,” one attendee said, capturing how role models can spark ongoing participation.

Empathy is being reframed as a deliberate choice rather than a spontaneous feeling. New research and public conversations suggest empathy involves cognitive effort, emotional endurance, and a willingness to sit with distress. This shift holds practical implications for Thai homes, schools, hospitals, and workplaces as society seeks more compassionate and effective responses to addiction, social challenges, and crisis situations.

In Thai culture, concepts such as nam jai (น้ำใจ) and metta (เมตตา, loving-kindness) have long celebrated emotional resonance. Yet recent analysis shows empathy can be a controlled act—the result of weighing costs and benefits before engaging with someone in distress. The debate intensified after fans discussed a realistic addiction storyline in a popular medical drama, highlighting that empathy toward addicts can feel conditional when actions are disruptive.

A new wave of research and cultural discussion has cast fresh light on the nature of empathy, challenging the familiar notion that empathy is merely a spontaneous, uncontrollable feeling. Instead, research and commentary increasingly suggest that empathy is a conscious choice—often a difficult one—that anyone can practice, especially when facing troubling or complex situations such as addiction, social deviance, or crisis. This revised understanding has significant implications for Thai society, health, and education, pointing the way toward more compassionate and effective responses in homes, schools, hospitals, and workplaces.

A new wave of concern is sweeping through families and health professionals as muscle dysmorphia—commonly called “bigorexia”—gains traction among children and teenagers worldwide. Recent research and high-profile warnings from mental health experts signal that this body image disorder, often overlooked and misunderstood, is swiftly becoming a public health issue, including for Thai families who may traditionally associate eating disorders more with thinness than muscularity. The phenomenon forces a reconsideration of how we talk to children about bodies, exercise, and the subtle pressures lurking online.

A May 2025 study in Communications Psychology sheds light on dream recall, revealing factors such as sleep patterns, daytime mind wandering, and personal traits that boost dream remembering. The findings offer timely insights for Thai readers navigating busy urban life and evolving sleep routines.

In Thailand, dreams are often viewed through a cultural lens as omens or messages. Science treats dreams as a window into brain activity during sleep. The study helps explain why some people recall more details than others and what that reveals about memory, consciousness, and mental health.

Scientific curiosity about dreams has captured the human imagination for centuries, yet neuroscientists have only recently started to unravel why some people vividly recall their dreams while others wake up with no memory at all. As reported in May 2025 in a new study published in Communications Psychology, researchers have identified multiple factors—ranging from sleep patterns to personality traits—that influence an individual’s ability to remember dreams, offering fresh insights with both global and Thai relevance (Medscape).

Benjakul, a five-herb blend at the heart of Thai traditional medicine, has endured centuries of cultural change and evolving healthcare. Known as ยาเบญจกูล in Thai pharmacopeia, the formula bridges ancestral wisdom and today’s emphasis on prevention and wellbeing. As interest in functional health grows in Thailand, Benjakul is increasingly examined by researchers. Its journey from apothecaries to laboratories reflects a story of resilience and reinvention, with science now exploring its potential to complement contemporary care.

Benjakul, a five-herb mixture at the root of Thai traditional medicine, has stood as a resilient survivor through centuries of cultural and medical transformation in Thailand. Revered as “ยาเบญจกูล” in the Thai pharmacopeia, this formula symbolizes a bridge between ancestral wisdom and the evolving demands of contemporary health care. As interest in functional and preventive health sweeps through a modern Thailand seeking alternatives to chemical medicine, Benjakul now finds itself the subject of growing scientific curiosity. Its journey from the apothecaries of ancient healers to the laboratories of pharmaceutical researchers captures a story of not just survival, but continuous reinvention (phar.ubu.ac.th).

Throughout the length and breadth of Thailand, the profound relationship between people and their medicinal plants is woven into the very fabric of daily life. Few remedies exemplify this synergy better than ยาผสมเถาวัลย์เปรียง, or the traditional Thai herbal mixture featuring “thao wan priang” (Derris scandens). Long cherished as a trusted folk cure for aches and pains, this complex blend is now stepping into the scientific limelight as researchers seek to validate ancient wisdom with modern clinical evidence. But what is the true story behind this iconic herbal remedy, and what should health-conscious readers know before considering its use?

From Bangkok’s bustling markets to northern hill villages, Prasaplai—ยาประสะไพล—remains a cherished part of Thai medicine. A potent blend centered on Phlai (Zingiber cassumunar), Prasaplai is both a cultural emblem and a subject of growing scientific interest. Researchers are beginning to explore its healing potential in clinical settings, bridging ancient wisdom and modern healthcare. The story of Prasaplai highlights how traditional remedies can inform today’s medical practice while underscoring the need for careful evaluation and standardization.

From bustling street markets in Bangkok to remote villages nestled in the northern hills, the scent and legacy of traditional Thai medicine linger in the air—and among its most cherished remedies is ยาประสะไพล, or Prasaplai. Deeply woven into Thai cultural fabric for centuries, this potent blend stands as a symbol of the country’s reverence for nature’s pharmacy. Today, Prasaplai is not just hailed by traditional healers but is also winning renewed respect from medical researchers, who are beginning to decode its secrets and measure its healing potential in clinical settings. In the delicate interplay between folklore and laboratory science, Prasaplai emerges as an extraordinary protagonist—a living testament to the enduring value of herbal tradition in a modern healthcare landscape.