Research suggests that far from being a brush with the afterlife, near-death experiences are caused by a rush of electrical activity in the dying brain.

In my experience people tend to seriously over estimate what can be achieved in the short term, and under estimate what can be achieved in the long term.

Each week Rachel Grunwell tries a new sport to bring you the lowdown.

As smoking numbers drop and new statistics reveal it is no longer New Zealand’s worst killer, health workers are convinced we can eradicate smoking within just 12 years – much like we eradicated the southern saltmarsh mosquito, smallpox and polio.

A 10-day vipassana retreat takes Derek Cheng on a journey of self-discovery.

Attempts to develop a one-size-fits-all obesity drug will fail, according to Australian researchers who say there are too many genetic defects for a single solution.

It's not just illness that's spreading - new research has found that thousands of men are going online to share their pain and plead for sympathy.

An anorexic girl’s obsession with food and calorie counting could be linked to autism, more commonly seen in boys, according to a new study.

The duplicity in our food supply stretches far wider than most of us ever imagined. All sorts of common (and not so common) foods aren’t quite what they purport to be.

Hot chocolate can help older people keep their brains healthy, research has shown.

While performing hot yoga isn't harmful if done properly, it does not make the body work harder than any other type of yoga.

A new discovery could lead to treatments that bring an end to the pain of sunburn, scientists say.

I love seeing vision boards. It's a really fun "play" kind of exercise that is good for busy adults.

Each week Rachel Grunwell tries a new sport to bring you the lowdown.

It boosts your spirit, does wonders for your body. So why has hobby marathon-runner Andy Kenworthy given up?

Hangovers don't just induce nausea, a thumping headache and a dry mouth, they make you stupid too, according to new research.

A nicotine inhaler which could offer new hope for smokers trying to give up the habit is already showing promising results, researchers say.

EXCLUSIVE: More and more New Zealand women are undergoing plastic surgery to change their genital appearance. While reasons for the surgery, called labiaplasty, vary from woman to woman, it is often those who have felt uncomfortable with their genitalia for years. nzherald.co.nz spoke to one such woman, a plastic surgeon and their critics.

Mothers have been urged to breastfeed for longer, with new research indicating it improves child intelligence and language.

Scientists have developed a new super sunscreen that mimics the way Great Barrier Reef corals protect themselves from UV light.

Health experts say that knowing your body's clock can help you synchronise your daily activities for optimal health.

Looking back last week at the whole of our lives from the perspective of our older selves is valuable as it connects us to our spiritual fuel and our values.

Young Australian men are in crisis, with half feeling stressed and nearly one in 10 having thoughts about suicide, according to new research.

Clean living is key to men remaining virile after the age of 45, according to new research which shows sex, drugs and rock and roll is an oxymoron.