JOB ADVERTISMENT
TRANSCRANIAL MAGNETIC STIMULATION (TMS) TECHNICIAN
Thompson Brain & Mind Healthcare (TBMH) is a not-for-profit mental health organisation established on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, with a vision to reconceptualise mental healthcare. Our mission is to minimise the burden of mental illness through person centred care and world-class treatment. Founded on a commitment to pioneering research and precision medicine, we strive to harness the potential of technology and innovation to deliver improved patient outcomes.
Brain & Mind Hub (BaMH) Sunshine Coast is TBMH’s first flagship clinic, located in Maroochydore. Our services span psychology, psychiatry, lived-experience peer support, ketamine therapy, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), dietetics, neurofeedback, lifestyle medicine and more. We are committed to delivering meaningful improvements in client outcomes by grounding all programs in a neuroscience-informed approach, leveraging precision diagnostics and personalised treatment strategies to guide care. Our integrated service model is designed to reduce fragmentation in mental healthcare, foster early intervention, and support clients with tailored, multidisciplinary treatment pathways.
About the role
We are seeking a compassionate, motivated and detail‑oriented Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Technician to join the multidisciplinary team at Brain & Mind Hub, based in Maroochydore. Commencing in early 2026, this role is integral to the delivery of our evidence‑based neuromodulation services supporting individuals with complex mental health conditions.
You will work closely with our psychiatrists, physicians, nurses and allied health team to deliver TMS treatment in a safe, professional and client‑centred manner. This role involves administering TMS sessions in line with clinical protocols, supporting clients throughout their treatment journey, and contributing to a calm, welcoming and therapeutic clinic environment.
This position requires strong interpersonal skills, clinical attention to detail, and a genuine interest in neuroscience‑informed mental health care.
The role involves close collaboration with the neurostimulation and broader clinical team, under the guidance of senior clinicians. It calls for excellent organisation, reliability, and the ability to follow clinical protocols while remaining responsive and supportive to clients.
The position is part‑time, with the opportunity to increase to full‑time as the service grows. Hours will be negotiated with successful applicants and rostered Monday to Friday between 7.00am – 7.00pm.
If you are passionate about innovative mental health treatment, demonstrate a proactive and caring approach, and enjoy working as part of a collaborative clinical team, we encourage you to apply and join the Brain & Mind Hub team.
About you
- You thrive working within a supportive, collaborative multidisciplinary team
- You are calm, professional and client‑centred in your approach
- Driven to learn, grow and develop skills in neuroscience‑informed care
- Able to follow protocols with precision while maintaining flexibility and empathy
- Focused on accuracy, safety and consistency
- Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills
- Confident building rapport with clients from diverse backgrounds, including those experiencing psychological distress
- Able to work both autonomously and under clinical direction
Key responsibilities
- Provide TMS treatment sessions to clients under the direction of prescribing clinicians
- Prepare clients for treatment, including explanation of procedures and monitoring comfort and safety
- Operate, monitor and maintain TMS equipment in accordance with training and protocols
- Accurately document treatments, observations and clinical notes within the practice management system
- Assist with neuronavigation and treatment planning where applicable
- Monitor clients for side effects or adverse events and escalate concerns appropriately
- Liaise with psychiatrists, nurses and allied health practitioners regarding client progress and treatment scheduling
- Support clients through their full course of treatment, including follow‑up and continuity of care
- Maintain a clean, calm and safe treatment environment
- Uphold confidentiality, privacy and professional boundaries always
- Attend team meetings, training and supervision as required
- Assist with service development, audits and quality improvement processes as directed
Desirable skills and experience
- Current “Practicing TMS (minimum of Theory + Treatment Provision)” certificate of completion
- Background in nursing, allied health, psychology, neuroscience, mental health support or similar clinical roles
- Previous experience delivering MRI Neuronavigated TMS or other neuromodulation therapies (highly regarded, but training will be provided)
- Strong understanding of mental health conditions and trauma‑informed care
- Experience working within medical or mental health settings
- Confidence using clinical software and electronic medical records (experience with Zanda and/or Best Practice is an advantage)
- Excellent attention to detail and adherence to clinical safety standards
- A current Blue Card, or the ability to obtain one prior to commencement
- A current Yellow Card, or the ability to obtain one prior to commencement
- Mental Health First Aid, First Aid and CPR (or willingness to complete)
- Understanding of occupational health and safety principles in a clinical environment
How to apply
All applications should include your CV and a cover letter that clearly outlines why you would like to join our team, how your experience aligns with the position description and meets the role criteria, and your hours of availability.
Please send applications through to admin@tbmh.org.au and jmitchell@tbmh.org.au.
At TBMH, our work matters. And so do each and every one of our valued team members. TBMH is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We consider qualified applicants for all positions without regard to race, colour, religion, creed, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran or military status, genetic information or any other legally protected basis under federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances. Diversity inspires innovation. Our experiences, perspectives and backgrounds allow us to better serve our patients and create a strong community at TBMH.
Apply now. Let’s reimagine mental healthcare together. Interviews will be conducted as applications come in, so apply early.
Not the right position for you? Feel free to share the link to someone you might know.
Thompson Brain & Mind Healthcare (TBMH), in collaboration with the ANU College of Science & Medicine, is pleased to announce a fully funded PhD scholarship opportunity in adolescent mental health.
Applicants should have a background in mental health, psychology, education/teaching, or medicine, and hold a Bachelors degree with First Class Honours (or equivalent).
PhD Candidate –DCS Augmented Neurofeedback in Adult ADHD
Thompson Brain & Mind Healthcare (TBMH), in collaboration with the Australian National University (ANU) is leading a randomised control trial investigating whether D-cycloserine (DCS), a partial NMDA receptor agonist, can augment learning-dependent neuroplasticity during 19-channel Z-score neurofeedback (NF) in adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
The study uses a double-blind randomised controlled trial comparing Z-score NF combined with DCS versus NF with placebo, alongside an observational stimulant-medication comparison group. Outcomes include ADHD symptom severity, quantitative EEG biomarkers, neurofeedback learning curves, and neurocognitive performance.
The PhD candidate will work within a multidisciplinary clinical research team and will focus on the neurophysiological and cognitive mechanisms underpinning treatment response.
Research Aims of the PHD
The overarching aim of the PhD is to determine whether pharmacological facilitation of NMDA-dependent plasticity enhances neurofeedback learning and clinical outcomes in adult ADHD.
Key Responsibilities
Under supervision, the PhD candidate will:
- Contribute to the design, conduct, and integrity of a clinical RCT
- Acquire high-quality resting state EEG recordings.
- Artifact and perform quality control on resting state EEG recordings.
- Conduct NF training sessions, document relevant training data and maintain accurate training records.
- Lead analysis of quantitative EEG data, including:
- Z-score metrics
- Theta/beta ratio
- Session-by-session learning curves
- Analyse neurocognitive and clinical outcome data
- Integrate electrophysiological, cognitive, and symptom measures using advanced statistical models
- Assist with trial documentation, reporting, and ethics compliance (training-appropriate)
- Prepare peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, and a doctoral thesis
- Engage in interdisciplinary collaboration with clinicians, neurofeedback practitioners, and statisticians
Candidate Requirements
Essential:
- Honours or Master’s degree (or equivalent) in:
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
- Biomedical or Health Sciences
- Cognitive Science or related discipline
- Demonstrated research experience (thesis-based)
- Strong interest in neuroplasticity, ADHD, and translational neuroscience
- Capacity to work with complex datasets
Desirable
- Experience with EEG and neurophysiology
- Familiarity with clinical research or RCTs
- Statistical programming skills (R, Python, MATLAB)
- Interest in precision psychiatry or personalised interventions
Local And Enrolement
- Enrolment at the Australian National University (PhD, full-time)
- Primary research activities conducted within the Thompson Bran and Mind Healthcare site
- Some travel between sites may be required
Scholarship and Support
- Competitive, tax-free PhD stipend aligned with RTP or equivalent ANU scholarships
- Tuition fee offset (where applicable)
- Access to EEG laboratories, clinical datasets, and professional development opportunities
Application Process
Applicants should submit:
- CV
- Academic transcripts
- Brief statement of research interest
- Contact details for two academic referees
- Please send your submission to nwellington@tbmh.org.au
Not the right position for you? Feel free to share the link to someone you might know.
Thompson Brain & Mind Healthcare (TBMH), in collaboration with the ANU College of Science & Medicine, is pleased to announce a fully funded PhD scholarship opportunity in adolescent mental health.
Applicants should have a background in mental health, psychology, education/teaching, or medicine, and hold a Bachelors degree with First Class Honours (or equivalent).
Lifestyle Medicine and Mental Health:
Supporting the Brain Through Everyday Choices
When we think about mental health, we often focus on thoughts, emotions, or life experiences. But mental wellbeing is also deeply biological. Your brain is shaped every day by sleep, nutrition, movement, stress, social connection, and routines. This is where lifestyle medicine comes in.
Lifestyle medicine is a medical approach that looks at how daily habits influence both physical and mental health. Rather than treating symptoms in isolation, it focuses on addressing underlying contributors to distress and supporting the body and brain’s natural capacity to heal and adapt.
Importantly, lifestyle medicine isn’t about perfection or rigid routines. It’s about small, sustainable changes that help regulate the nervous system, improve brain function, and build resilience over time.
Prevention starts long before symptoms appear
From a neuroscience perspective, the brain is constantly responding to its environment. Chronic stress, poor sleep, inflammation, nutrient deficiencies, and inactivity can all place ongoing strain on neural systems involved in mood, motivation, attention, and emotional regulation.
Lifestyle medicine aims to reduce these pressures before they accumulate into more significant difficulties.
Regular movement supports blood flow to the brain and helps regulate stress hormones. Quality sleep allows the brain to consolidate memories, reset emotional circuits, and clear metabolic waste. Nutrition provides the raw materials needed for neurotransmitter production and cellular repair. Social connection buffers stress responses and supports emotional wellbeing.
Taken together, these factors play a powerful role in prevention. They help stabilise the systems that keep us mentally balanced, often long before someone would meet criteria for a diagnosable condition.
Supporting symptoms, not just managing them
Lifestyle medicine is also increasingly recognised as a meaningful support for people already experiencing mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, burnout, or chronic stress.
Research shows that targeted lifestyle interventions can help improve:
- energy levels and fatigue
- sleep quality
- concentration and cognitive clarity
- mood regulation
- stress tolerance
- overall quality of life
This doesn’t mean lifestyle medicine replaces psychological or medical care when those are needed. Rather, it works alongside them.
For many people, addressing factors like nutrition, sleep, and stress physiology can reduce symptom severity and improve responsiveness to other treatments. It helps create a more stable foundation for recovery.
Instead of asking only “What’s wrong?”, lifestyle medicine also asks, “What does your body and brain need to function at their best?”
A whole-person approach to mental health
Mental health is rarely influenced by a single factor. It sits at the intersection of biology, psychology, environment, and lived experience.
That’s why integrated care matters.
At Brain & Mind Hub Sunshine Coast, lifestyle medicine is part of a collaborative model that brings together our dietitian clinic, Lifestyle medicine physician and psychologist team. Rather than working in silos, these clinicians support clients as a team.
This means care can address:
- nutritional foundations for brain health
- lifestyle factors such as sleep, stress, and movement
- psychological patterns and emotional wellbeing
- all within one coordinated framework.
- The goal isn’t quick fixes. It’s personalised, sustainable support that recognises how interconnected mental health really is.
Small changes, meaningful impact
Lifestyle medicine reminds us that mental health doesn’t live only in the mind. It lives in the body, the nervous system, and the rhythms of everyday life.
Whether used as prevention or as part of ongoing care, this approach offers a way to support the brain through practical, evidence-informed changes that meet people where they are.
And sometimes, the most powerful progress doesn’t come from doing everything at once — but from taking one small, supported step at a time.
Written by Dr Megan Dutton
As a clinician and researcher in the field of neuroscience and mental health, I’ve seen how a precise, multidisciplinary approach to ADHD can transform lives. At Brain and Mind Hub, we’ve developed a neuroscience-informed model that integrates clinical accuracy with holistic care—ensuring individuals with ADHD receive not only a correct diagnosis but also the tools to thrive.
PhD Opportunity – Adolescent Mental Health | Fully Funded Scholarship
Thompson Brain & Mind Healthcare (TBMH), in collaboration with the ANU College of Science & Medicine, is pleased to announce a fully funded PhD scholarship opportunity in adolescent mental health.
This PhD project sits at the forefront of adolescent mental health research and will integrate the latest scientific evidence to design and develop a suite of school-based mental health and wellbeing programs for adolescents and school-aged young people. The research will be highly translational, with a strong emphasis on real-world impact within educational settings.
Candidate background
Applicants should have a background in mental health, psychology, education/teaching, or medicine, and hold a Bachelors degree with First Class Honours (or equivalent).
Scholarship details
• Fully funded PhD
• Full-time position
Expressions of Interest
Please send an expression of interest addressed to Professor Jim Lagopoulos at: admin@tbmh.org.au
We welcome enquiries from motivated candidates passionate about improving mental health outcomes for young people.
Not the right position for you? Feel free to share the link to someone you might know.
Mental Health Receptionist
- Join us in shaping the future of mental healthcare
- Enjoy a workplace that values work-life balance and professional development
- Make a difference in the lives of clients and their families
- Located in Maroochydore, Sunshine Coast, QLD (onsite role)
About Thompson Brain & Mind Healthcare
Thompson Brain & Mind Healthcare (TBMH) is a not-for-profit mental health organisation established on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, with a vision to reconceptualise mental healthcare. Our mission is to minimise the burden of mental illness through person centred care and world-class treatment. Founded on a commitment to pioneering research and precision medicine, we strive to harness the potential of technology and innovation to deliver improved patient outcomes.
Brain & Mind Hub (BaMH) Sunshine Coast is TBMH’s first flagship clinic, located in Maroochydore. Our services span psychology, psychiatry, lived-experience peer support, ketamine therapy, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), dietetics, neurofeedback, lifestyle medicine and more. We are committed to delivering meaningful improvements in client outcomes by grounding all programs in a neuroscience-informed approach, leveraging precision diagnostics and personalised treatment strategies to guide care. Our integrated model is designed to reduce fragmentation in mental healthcare, foster early intervention, and support clients with tailored, multidisciplinary treatment pathways.
About the role
We are looking for an experienced, enthusiastic and personable receptionist to join the administration team of our Brain & Mind Hub. Commencing in January and based in Maroochydore, you will be responsible for helping to create a welcoming first impression to visitors and providing administrative support to our multidisciplinary healthcare team and our clients in a caring, supportive and efficient manner. As the first point of contact for our clients, excellent communication and interpersonal skills are essential to this role.
This role involves close collaboration with our reception team, guided by the Senior Receptionist and Practice Manager. It calls for strong time management skills and the ability to handle multiple tasks efficiently.
The position available is part-time, with the opportunity to increase to full-time as the clinic grows. Hours to be negotiated with successful applicants. Hours of work will be rostered between 7.00am – 7.00pm Monday to Friday. Weekend work may also be required.
If you are dependable, demonstrate a proactive attitude, and have a commitment to learning and contributing to a collaborative team environment, we encourage you to apply and join the Brain & Mind Hub team.
About you
- You thrive working within a friendly, supportive and collaborative team environment
- Driven to continuously learn and grow
- Have a can-do attitude and the ability to work both autonomously and within a team
- Focused on accuracy, possess excellent time management skills and the ability to multi-task
- You are great at building rapport with clients from all walks of life
- Exceptional verbal and written communication skills
Key responsibilities
- Handle all face-to-face, phone and online client registrations, bookings, triage and queries as the first point of contact within the clinic
- Receive payments, issue receipts, complete all billing and invoicing for clients
- Help resolve Medicare and third-party billing issues
- Operate our booking system, including but not limited to: bookings, data entry and client registration
- Liaising with referring clinicians and clinics
- Greeting clients on arrival to the clinic and preparing tea and coffee
- Attend regular meetings and take meeting minutes
- Confirming appointments and managing waiting lists
- Client/cancellation follow-up to ensure consistent treatment
- Light cleaning duties
- Office setup and close
- Maintaining confidentiality
- Other duties as directed by Senior Receptionist and Practice Manager
Desirable skills and experience
- Previous medical / allied health receptionist experience
- Understanding of Medicare, DVA, Workcover and NDIS systems
- Ability to process different types of payments – including Cash, EFTPOS, HICAPS, cheques – and issue receipts
- Experience with practice management software (specifically Zanda / Best Practice)
- Computer skills including MS Word, Excel etc.
- Knowledge of the local health and community services sector
- A current Blue Card, or the ability to gain one prior to commencing employment
- A current Yellow Card, or the ability to gain one prior to commencing employment
- Mental Health First Aid, First Aid and CPR training
- Understanding of occupational health and safety principles
Pay scale information
TBMH values the contribution each team member brings to our organisation. Final determination of a successful candidate’s starting pay will vary based on a number of factors, including, but not limited to education and experience within the job or industry. The pay scale listed for this position is generally for candidates that meet the specified qualifications and requirements listed on this specific job description. Additional pay may be determined for those candidates that exceed these specified qualifications and requirements. We provide a competitive package that recognises your experience, credentials, and education.
TBMH is a leader in brain and mind health. As a premier employer, you’ll find an environment that’s alive with learning, rooted in care and compassion, and home to thought leadership and unwavering support. We are dedicated to creating hope and building healthier futures – for our clients, as well as for you and your career!
How to apply
All applications should include your CV and a cover letter that clearly outlines why you would like to join our team, how your experience aligns with the position description and meets the role criteria, and your hours of availability.
At TBMH, our work matters. And so do each and every one of our valued team members. TBMH is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We consider qualified applicants for all positions without regard to race, colour, religion, creed, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran or military status, genetic information or any other legally protected basis under federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances. Diversity inspires innovation. Our experiences, perspectives and backgrounds allow us to better serve our patients and create a strong community at TBMH.
Ready to be part of something truly different?
Apply now via Seek. Let’s reimagine mental healthcare together.
Closing date
Interviews will be conducted as applications come in, so apply early.
Finding joy in food and connection this holiday season
Finding joy in food and connection this holiday season
The holiday season often brings a mix of emotions such as joy, excitement and sometimes stress. For those working toward a healthier relationship with food, this time of year can feel overwhelming. Messages about “indulgence,” “guilt,” and “getting back on track” are everywhere, making it hard to stay grounded in your values. But what if we reframed the holidays as an opportunity for connection, nourishment and self-compassion?
Food is more than fuel, it is connection.
Meals during the holidays are often about more than what’s on the plate. They are moments of togetherness, sharing stories, laughter and traditions. Food isn’t something to earn or compensate for; it’s a way to connect with others and honour cultural and personal traditions. Giving yourself permission to enjoy these moments without judgment is a powerful act of self-care.
Let go of food rules
Diet culture thrives during the festive season, pushing ideas like “saving up” for a big meal or “burning off” treats later. These rules can increase anxiety and disconnect you from your body’s natural cues. Instead, try approaching food with curiosity and flexibility.
Ask yourself: What sounds satisfying? What will feel good physically and emotionally? Listening to your body and not external rules can support both mental and physical well-being.
Practice mindful eating without pressure
Mindfulness isn’t about eating perfectly or slowly every time. It’s about noticing your experience—taste, texture, and how your body feels—without judgment. If you find yourself feeling anxious, pause and take a few breaths. Remind yourself that all foods fit and that enjoying a variety of foods is part of a balanced approach.
Prioritise connection over perfection
The holidays are not about flawless meals or rigid plans; they are about connection. If you’re feeling stressed about food choices, try shifting focus to the people around you. Engage in conversation, share memories, or simply enjoy being present. Connection nourishes us in ways that go beyond the plate.
Self-compassion is key
If you experience guilt or discomfort after eating, remember: these feelings are often rooted in diet culture, not in reality. Offer yourself kindness instead of criticism.
This holiday season, give yourself permission to enjoy food and connection without guilt. Embrace flexibility and listen to your body. You deserve joy, nourishment and peace.
Written by Renee Curran
If you or someone you care about lives with ADHD, you’ve probably noticed how unpredictable things can feel, focus comes and goes, energy dips, moods swing. What’s often overlooked is how much nutrition can influence these patterns.
Serotonin
Gene/Protein of the Month
Serotonin is a fundamental neurotransmitter that underpins the brain’s regulation of mood, cognition, and physiological stability.
Derived from the essential amino acid tryptophan, serotonin is synthesised primarily in the raphe nuclei and exerts its effects by binding to a diverse family of receptors (5-HT1 to 5-HT7) distributed throughout the central and peripheral nervous systems. Once released into the synaptic cleft, serotonin shapes neuronal excitability, modulates synaptic strength, and influences downstream gene expression pathways that govern neural adaptability.
It plays a pivotal role in stabilising mood, supporting emotional processing, regulating appetite and sleep–wake cycles, and coordinating autonomic functions essential for homeostasis and wellbeing.
Serotonin is also central to the brain’s capacity to integrate internal and external signals to maintain behavioural and physiological equilibrium. It fine-tunes responses to stress, shapes cognitive flexibility, and contributes to learning processes by modulating neural circuits involved in reward, inhibition, and sensory processing.
Dysregulation of serotonergic pathways is implicated in major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders, obsessive–compulsive disorder, and migraine, while peripheral serotonin abnormalities affect gastrointestinal function and metabolic regulation. Its dual role as a neurotransmitter and neuromodulator, influencing both rapid synaptic communication and longer-term plasticity, underscores serotonin’s significance as one of the body’s most versatile and essential chemical messengers.
Written by Renee Curran
If you or someone you care about lives with ADHD, you’ve probably noticed how unpredictable things can feel, focus comes and goes, energy dips, moods swing. What’s often overlooked is how much nutrition can influence these patterns.
Genomics and Mental Health: What It Is and Why It Could Change Future Care
Genomics is a word many people are starting to hear more often, especially as conversations around personalised and precision-based healthcare continue to grow. But understanding what genomics actually means, and why it matters for mental health, is still new territory for most of us.
What’s becoming increasingly clear in research is that our biology plays a far greater role in mental health than we once believed. Genetics, brain circuitry, inflammatory pathways and stress responses all interact in complex ways to shape how we feel, think and cope.
At Brain & Mind Hub, we see genomics as an important part of the future of mental healthcare. While it’s not yet part of our diagnostic process, it’s a direction we’re preparing for carefully and thoughtfully as we continue developing our precision-based, whole-body approach to care.
Understanding Genomics and Why It Matters
Genomics looks at your complete set of DNA: the biological code that influences the way your brain and body function. As Dr Nathan Wellington explains, it’s essentially “our ones and zeros… the code of our life.”
Your genetic makeup can influence:
- how your brain processes stress
- how neurotransmitters regulate mood
- how medications are metabolised
- inflammatory and hormonal pathways
- emotional sensitivity and resilience
- neural plasticity and recovery
Genes aren’t destiny. But they can offer important clues about why some people experience certain mental-health challenges — and why some treatments work better for some individuals than others.
Beyond Genetics: A Whole-Body Perspective
Genes create proteins. Proteins build structures. Those structures shape how the brain functions.
As Nathan notes, “The proteins create the structures in our body… our brains, the neurons that we have.”
This whole-body view matters. Mental health does not exist separately from physical health, it is deeply connected to it. When we combine genetics with brain imaging, EEG data, neurotransmitter patterns and lived experience, mental-health symptoms become easier to understand through a biological lens.
This is at the heart of precision-based care: understanding why someone feels the way they do, not just treating the surface-level symptoms.
Why Genomics Is Becoming Important Now
Advances in science have made it possible to understand mental health in ways that weren’t available even a decade ago. High-throughput sequencing, advanced neuroimaging, EEG brain-mapping and AI analysis are giving clinicians a clearer picture than ever before.
As Nathan explains, we now have tools “to analyse every part of our body… not just genomics, but imaging and neurotransmitters.”
This growing integration of biology and brain science means mental-health support is gradually shifting toward:
- more personalised pathways
- less trial-and-error
- earlier, more accurate insights
- better targeted treatments
- more compassionate, evidence-led care
It represents a meaningful step forward for people who have waited a long time for answers that make sense.
What Genomics Could Mean for Mental-Health Care in the Future
Once genomics becomes part of mainstream mental-health care, it could help clinicians:
- reduce guesswork around treatment
- identify likely responses and side-effect risks
- understand recurring symptoms in a deeper way
- build more accurate, personalised care plans
- support faster, more stable recovery
Nathan describes it as a future where we can “take away the trial and error” and help people “get better sooner.”
That’s not just scientific progress, it’s a more humane model of care.
Where Brain & Mind Hub Is Heading
We’re preparing to introduce genomics into our diagnostic framework in the near future as part of our commitment to precision-based mental healthcare. This approach looks at the whole person — biology, brain function, psychology and lived experience to build clearer, more personalised pathways of support. Genomics will join the integrated model we’re continuing to develop, which brings together EEG brain-mapping, psychology, psychiatry, lifestyle medicine and neuroscience-informed treatments, creating a truly whole-body approach to care.
This is the future of mental healthcare, whole-body, personalised and grounded in understanding the biology behind someone’s experience.
As Nathan shared: “I think that’s exciting.”
And we genuinely do.
Not just for the science, but for the people who deserve answers that feel clear, compassionate and tailored to them.
Dr Nathan Wellington: On how genomics is changing the future of mental healthcare.
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Written by Dr Megan Dutton
As a clinician and researcher in the field of neuroscience and mental health, I’ve seen how a precise, multidisciplinary approach to ADHD can transform lives. At Brain and Mind Hub, we’ve developed a neuroscience-informed model that integrates clinical accuracy with holistic care—ensuring individuals with ADHD receive not only a correct diagnosis but also the tools to thrive.
Why Movement is Medicine for the Mind
Don’t Let Panic Be Your Only Cardio:
Why Movement is Medicine for the Mind
Don’t Let Panic Be Your Only Cardio:
Why Movement is Medicine for the Mind
Don’t Let Panic
Be Your Only Cardio:
Why Movement is Medicine For the Mind
In modern life, many of us move less than ever before — yet we think, worry, and stress more than ever. The irony is that one of the most powerful tools for managing anxiety, depression, and emotional distress is also one of the simplest: movement.
Exercise has long been recommended for heart health and diabetes prevention, but its benefits for mental health are equally compelling. Research shows that regular physical activity doesn’t just prevent depression — it can treat it, often with outcomes comparable to antidepressant medication. Over 25 major studies have linked consistent exercise to lower anxiety, greater happiness, and improved stress tolerance.
A Cambridge study of more than 10,000 participants found that people who were more physically active weren’t just happier overall — they were happier in the moments they were active. Even a single bout of exercise can produce measurable improvements in mood, often within just ten minutes.
These effects are not merely psychological — they’re biological. Movement triggers the release of endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine, which regulate mood and motivation.
Beyond chemistry, exercise also supports neurogenesis — the growth of new brain cells — particularly in regions involved in emotion regulation, like the hippocampus and limbic system. Over time, regular movement helps the brain become more resilient to stress, improves cognitive function, and enhances emotional balance.
While all forms of exercise can be beneficial, evidence suggests that a combination of aerobic activity and resistance training yields the greatest mood improvements. Activities like brisk walking, cycling, swimming, yoga, or strength training can all serve as powerful tools for mental health maintenance. What matters most is consistency — movement as a habit, not a task.
Crucially, the intensity doesn’t have to be high to make a difference. Gentle activity, especially outdoors, can be particularly restorative. Walking in nature combines exercise with exposure to green and blue spaces, which reduces anxiety and promotes calm. Physical activity also regulates the stress response by lowering cortisol and providing an outlet for pent-up energy. For those prone to panic or chronic “fight or flight” states, movement teaches the body how to return to equilibrium — transforming panic into purpose.
Exercise is empowering because it is accessible: it costs little, requires no prescription, and can be adapted for any ability level. Whether it’s a 10-minute walk, desk stretches, or a structured fitness routine, every act of movement signals to the body: you are capable, you are safe, and you are taking steps toward balance.
In a culture that often prescribes stillness for stress — sitting at desks, scrolling screens, overthinking every feeling — we may have forgotten that the mind heals through the body. Movement gives form to emotional energy, direction to restlessness, and rhythm to recovery.
So next time anxiety builds, or your thoughts start to spiral, remember that you don’t have to think your way out — you can move your way through.
Walk, stretch, dance, breathe. Don’t let panic be your only cardio. Your body already holds the medicine your mind has been waiting for.
Reference
Morton, D. P. (2018). Combining Lifestyle Medicine and Positive Psychology to Improve Mental Health and Emotional Well-being. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 12(5), 370–374. https://doi.org/10.1177/1559827618766482
Written by Renee Curran
If you or someone you care about lives with ADHD, you’ve probably noticed how unpredictable things can feel, focus comes and goes, energy dips, moods swing. What’s often overlooked is how much nutrition can influence these patterns.
Dopamine
Molecule of the Month
What is Dopamine?
Dopamine is a vital neurotransmitter and neuromodulator that plays a central molecular role in how the brain communicates, adapts, and regulates behaviour.
It’s often called the “feel-good” chemical, but its role goes far beyond pleasure — it’s essential for movement, motivation, and learning.
How Dopamine Works?
Synthesised from the amino acid tyrosine, dopamine acts by binding to specific receptors (D1–D5) on neurons. This triggers intracellular signalling cascades that influence:
· Neuronal excitability
· Synaptic plasticity
· Gene expression
These processes help the brain stay flexible and responsive — adapting to new experiences and regulating behaviour.
Dopamine’s Role in Everyday Function
Dopamine is crucial for:
· Movement
· Motivation
· Reward
· Attention
· Mood
· Learning
These are all essential processes for survival and adaptive behaviour — which is why dopamine is so central to brain health.
The Brain’s Reward System
Dopamine helps encode the brain’s “reward prediction” system, reinforcing actions that lead to pleasure or success.
It’s what drives us to repeat behaviours that feel good or help us achieve goals — like eating, socialising, or solving problems.
Dopamine Imbalances and Mental Health
Disruptions in dopamine signalling are linked to several major disorders:
· Parkinson’s disease → dopamine deficiency in the nigrostriatal pathway
· Schizophrenia → dysregulated mesolimbic transmission
· Depression → altered mesocortical activity
These pathways show how dopamine affects different brain regions — and why imbalances can lead to such varied symptoms.
Why Dopamine Matters
Dopamine’s molecular function as both a neurotransmitter and a regulator of neural plasticity makes it one of the brain’s most critical chemical messengers.
It’s not just about feeling good — it’s about how the brain learns, adapts, and stays balanced.
Written by Renee Curran
If you or someone you care about lives with ADHD, you’ve probably noticed how unpredictable things can feel, focus comes and goes, energy dips, moods swing. What’s often overlooked is how much nutrition can influence these patterns.