Tino Trufexis, a PhD candidate from the University of Canberra, recently joined Ben in the UCFM studio to talk about his cutting-edge research into endometriosis and the psychology of pain. His study, one of the first of its kind, is exploring how chronic pain affects not just the body, but also how people think about their future. Using brain stimulation, Tino’s team is investigating how pain rewires the brain and what that means for decision-making, memory, and emotional wellbeing.
“There’s barely any research into how chronic pain influences future thinking,” Tino said. “But we know it can mess with memory—and memory is key to imagining what’s ahead.” While the study is still in progress, the hope is that these insights will lead to smarter, more holistic treatments for endometriosis, ones that go beyond physical symptoms and support the full lived experience.
Listen to the full interview below: