Pain isn’t just a signal from the body — it’s shaped by the immune system, the nervous system, and the story your physiology believes about safety and threat.

In this episode, Hannah Dalby is joined by Professor Mark Hutchinson and Jane Morphett from Adelaide University to unpack the emerging science behind neuroimmune signalling, chronic pain, addiction, and how “being listened to” can create real biological change.

Mark explains why many drugs don’t just act on neurons — they also affect immune-like cells in the brain — and how this reframes what we think we know about chronic pain, emotional states, and addictive behaviours. Jane shares her research into perineuronal nets and the molecular mechanisms behind emotions, and together they speak to why so many people are told “nothing is wrong” when our measurement tools simply can’t detect what’s happening.

We also dive into their current trial, EndoChill, exploring breathwork and cold exposure for women with endometriosis — and why this isn’t “science vs alternative medicine”, but science catching up to what people have lived for years.

In this episode:

• Pain as a neuroimmune experience

• Why “normal results” can still equal real suffering

• Breathwork + cold exposure and controllability in the body

• Endometriosis, the brain-spinal-peripheral pain loop, and why it takes years to diagnose

• Placebo vs conditioned response (and why belief changes physiology)

• First responders, stress, resilience and capacity building

• The future of precision health and objective pain measurement

Professor Mark Hutchinson is a Professor in Biomedicine and Director of the Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing. He leads the Neuroimmunopharmacology Lab and advises on national science and biotechnology initiatives. His research on neuroimmune signalling and objective measurement of pain has helped shift how chronic pain and addiction are understood and treated.

Jane Morphett is a Research Fellow / PhD researcher working with Mark at Adelaide University, investigating molecular mechanisms behind emotions and the role of perineuronal nets in affective states.

Recovery Jungle Website: https://recoveryjungle.com.au Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/recoveryjungle

Hannah Dalby | Emotional Alchemist & Coach Website: https://hannahdalby.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hannahdalbyalchemist

Mark Hutchinson

https://www.linkedin.com/in/drmarkhutchinson/

Guest biosConnect With Us