Expert said prices are soaring now and he told energy customers to switch off price cap to fixed tariffs immediately

Martin Lewis has urged customers of energy firms including E.On, British Gas, OVO and Octopus to switch their tariffs ‘right now’. The money-saving guru issued the warning as gas and oil prices rocketed amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.

Oil prices have climbed further as the Middle East conflict entered its fourth day, triggering stock market falls across the UK and Europe on concerns about a protracted war. Gas prices on Monday also jumped at their fastest rate since the Ukraine war began, surging 52% after Qatar suspended liquified natural gas production following Iranian attacks, with a further 20% rise on Tuesday.

Fears are growing over steep increases in petrol costs and household energy bills, which could hit UK families hard in the months ahead.

Writing on X, Mr Lewis warned: “Important: If you can get off the Energy Price Cap right now, you should and urgently!”

“The wholesale gas rate is spiking due to the Iran conflict, and it is a prime driver or UK elec prices. If that’s sustained (big if), it will likely push the Price Cap rate up from July

“- Some of the cheap fixes from before the weekend haven’t (yet) been pulled, so you can still lock in a rate at around 14% less than the current Price Cap, both saving you money and giving peace of mind that the rate can’t rise. You can do a whole-of-market comparison via http://cheapenergyclub.com

“- However, many firms are reassessing their fix prices today and may reprice their deals upward. There’s a risk many of the current cheapest fixes will be gone by this time tomorrow””- Plus, fix now, and unprecedentedly the rate you lock in at will be reduced on 1 April. This is because govt is changing the underlying way energy bills work and moving some policy costs to general taxation. That reduces the elec and gas unit rates even for those already on fixes. So even if you fix now the amount you pay will drop by 7% to 9% on typical usage on 1 April.

“- Fixes are available for most payment methods except prepay. Those on smart prepay can look at the EDF Simply Tracker tariff, which is effectively a price cap tariff with £100 lower Standing Charges (and £70 extra cashback on top via the link above)””PS How to know if you’re on a Price Cap? The Price Cap only applies to firms’ Standard Variable tariffs. It’s the default tariff you’re on if you haven’t chosen another deal, or your deal (eg a fix) ended and you did nothing. If you’re fixed, on an EV tariff, a time of use tariff, or other specialist tariff, you are not on the Price Cap.”

Meanwhile, Brent crude climbed a further 4% on Tuesday, reaching a 12-month peak of almost 81 US dollars per barrel following Iran’s move to obstruct a vital shipping channel for oil tankers, whilst London’s FTSE 100 Index tumbled sharply, dropping over 2% during morning trade. An Iranian official has reportedly issued warnings to vessels in the Strait of Hormuz that no ships would be permitted passage, forming part of Tehran’s retaliation to a US and Israeli military offensive against Iran, which has persisted following an initial attack that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Saturday.

Oil prices surged by as much as 13% during Monday trading, climbing above 82 dollars per barrel, before retreating slightly. Across financial markets, the FTSE 100 plunged 2.2% or 240.2 points to 10539.9, following a 1.2% fall on Monday, with comparable drops throughout Europe as Germany’s Dax shed 3% and France’s Cac 40 declined 1.8% on Tuesday.

This follows US President Donald Trump’s caution that military action against Iran might extend “far longer” than the originally anticipated four-to-five-week period. Aviation shares faced continued battering due to flight cancellations stemming from the crisis, whilst banking stocks also weakened amid concerns about wider economic consequences.

Susannah Streeter, chief investment strategist at the Wealth Club, commented: “Downbeat sentiment is pervading equity markets as the conflict in the Middle East escalates, with global repercussions. “London’s FTSE 100 has fallen deeper into the red as the war widens and companies assess the impact of severe disruption across the region on their operations. “

Richard Hunter, head of markets at Interactive Investor, suggested the slowdown in oil price increases indicates “a more sanguine approach to the implications of the US/Iran situation”. “Oil price spikes usually follow conflict outbreaks, but the fact remains that escalation and duration is more of a concern than the immediate outlook,” he said.

Tehran’s warnings regarding the Strait of Hormuz have raised concerns that oil prices will keep climbing steeply, given the waterway handles roughly a fifth of global oil supplies and seaborne gas transported by tankers.Gas prices on Monday also jumped at their fastest rate since the Ukraine war began, surging 52% after Qatar suspended liquified natural gas production following Iranian attacks, and climbed a further 20% on Tuesday.

Worries have intensified over sharp increases in petrol costs and household energy bills, which could hit UK families hard in the months ahead. The effect on fuel prices has already been severe, with the Strait of Hormuz blockage pushing the cost of chartering an oil supertanker to transport crude from the Middle East to China to a record high of nearly £300,000 on Monday.Ms Streeter said: “The resilience of global shipping is once again being tested and, as the crisis widens, more carriers are halting transits through the Red Sea.

“”This will add significant time and cost to journeys, risking further snarls in supply chains. “.

Get Funded, part of the Mayor’s Business Innovation Fund and backed by £200,000 in funding, launched today (Tue) and will run for the next two years until December 2027.

The programme offers small and medium businesses practical support to help them understand their funding options, strengthen financial planning and prepare competitive applications for grants, loans or investment.

It is open to businesses based in York and North Yorkshire looking to grow, whether it’s scaling capacity, expanding operations, or improving their chances of external funding.

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David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, said: “We’re home to incredible businesses with great ideas, but they need more than that to grow, they need investment.

“So we’re backing business by giving them the tools they need, taking a big step forward in my mission to back ambition and make this region the best place to start and grow a business.

“Get Funded is about breaking down one of the biggest barriers that holds back too many of our small and medium businesses back.”

The Get Funded programme begins with a short introductory webinar and continues through a structured series of specialist workshops.

In addition, 24 businesses will be selected for in-depth one-to-one coaching to accelerate their investment readiness.

York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority has appointed business finance and advice company UMi to run the programme.

Nicki Clark, Chief Executive at UMi, said: “We are excited to be working with the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority to bring the Get Funded Programme to the region, improving access to finance and the opportunities that presents to local businesses.

“UMi has a strong track-record of working within the funding ecosystem, and with our extensive experience in grant delivery and investor readiness, we believe this is a fantastic opportunity to help businesses overcome financial barriers and receive the specialist support they need to grow.”

Small and medium businesses across the region are encouraged to register early to secure their place.

The Business Innovation Fund is made up of five programmes, supporting Sector Activity, Spin-Out and Start-Ups, Get Exporting and Great Ideas. Get Funded is the final of the programmes to launch.

To register, go to: Get Funded > York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority

The facilities at Seaton Carew, located next to Sandy Car Park, were targeted overnight on Friday, February 27.

A hammer is believed to have been used to smash the card reader units on each door, although the vandals did not gain access to the toilets themselves.

A hammer is believed to have been used to smash the card reader units on each door. (Image: Hartlepool Borough Council)

The Seaton Carew toilet block was opened by Hartlepool Borough Council in 2024 as a replacement for outdated facilities at the nearby Clock Tower.

Councillor Owen Riddle, Chair of the Council’s Neighbourhoods and Regulatory Services Committee, said: “The toilets are a cashless facility so there is no money on site.

“I can’t believe that people would stoop so low as to damage valuable public facilities in such a mindless way.

“I would ask anyone who witnessed the vandalism or who noticed anyone acting suspiciously in the area on Friday night/Saturday morning to contact Cleveland Police on 101.

“We will strive to get repairs carried out as quickly as possible, but it is inevitable that the toilets will be closed for a period of time.”

The damaged card readers will need to be removed and repaired off-site before being reinstalled, meaning the toilets will remain out of use for several weeks.

The risk of further vandalism makes it unsafe to leave the facility unlocked during repairs.

The new single-storey building includes nine standard unisex cubicles, two accessible cubicles, and a Changing Places unit that caters for people with significant disabilities.

The Changing Places unit, which operates with a Radar key instead of a card reader, remains open.

Anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area around the time of the incident is urged to contact Cleveland Police on 101.

Since 2020, Osman has written his cosy crime series of novels, publishing its latest edition The Impossible Fortune in September last year, having released The Thursday Murder Club (2020), The Man Who Died Twice (2021), The Bullet That Missed (2022), and The Last Devil To Die (2023).

In a letter seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Labour councillor Lawrence Fitzpatrick branded the First Minister’s comments “disingenuous and deeply unfair.”

West Lothian Council’s leader has called on Scotland’s First Minister to apologise for his remarks on budget decisions made in Livingston last week.

John Swinney told the parliament that the council was not “ following statutory guidance” on nursery places.

In a letter seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Labour councillor Lawrence Fitzpatrick branded the First Minister’s comments “disingenuous and deeply unfair.”

In his letter to Mr Swinney, Councillor Fitzpatrick said: “I was perplexed and extremely disappointed to listen to you tell the Scottish Parliament last week that West Lothian Council is ‘not following the statutory guidance in place’ in relation to West Lothian Council and cross boundary nursery funding.

READ MORE: Linlithgow MSP Fiona Hyslop marks Apprenticeship Week by visiting Compressor Station in West Lothian

“I would request that you issue an apology to both this Administration and our council officers at the earliest opportunity.”

Councillor Fitzpatrick, who leads the minority Labour- led administration, pointed out that SNP members of the council did not oppose proposed changes to cross-boundary funding arrangements in its own budget proposals. He added that Edinburgh’s council has pursued a similar policy.

In his letter the council leader said: “Scottish Government officials confirmed to the council (26/2/26) ‘We appreciate that there are no statutory duties on cross-boundary provision and statutory guidance notes that delivery to cross-boundary children should be provided on the same basis as local residents, where possible.’”

“Yet, you, the First Minister of Scotland, (26/2/26) misleadingly told the Scottish Parliament that: ‘Statutory Guidance is clear that families accessing cross boundary placements should be treated on the same basis as families accessing provision locally, so West Lothian Council is proceeding, a Labour- led Council is proceeding, to not follow the statutory guidance in place.’”

READ MORE: Bumper collection of TV-sensation Bluey episodes heading to Livingston cinema

Councillor Fitzpatrick added: “The context to our change is, of course, the continued insufficient level of funding provided to this council by your Government. Councils the length and breadth of Scotland – including SNP councils – face extremely difficult decisions, as we do here in West Lothian.

“I therefore believe your comments relating to our funding and our ability to deliver local services are disingenuous and deeply unfair.

“With the ongoing financial challenges faced by the council, this recent decision was based on the need to prioritise West Lothian Council resources for West Lothian’s children and families.

“Rest assured, our officers are fully committed to supporting any transition arrangements should families consider a move to one of our council establishments.

“I would ask that you issue an apology to West Lothian Council at the earliest opportunity.”

READ MORE: Lothian launches search for 2026 intake of apprentice technicians

A spokesperson for the First Minister told the LDRS: “The First Minister will respond to Mr Fitzpatrick’s letter in due course.

“The First Minister is very clear that he expects all councils to deliver the 1140 hours expansion policy and ensure that families receive the support they are entitled to. It is concerning to see decisions being taken locally that could reduce flexibility and choice.

“While the statutory guidance recognises that there may be some instances where local authorities judge that a cross-border placement is not possible, the guidance is clear that the principles of Funding Follows the Child should be followed to accommodate such requests in the best interests of affected children and families.

“Families and nursery providers have raised significant concerns about West Lothian Council’s approach with Scottish Ministers, and it is important for Ministers to directly represent the strength of those concerns.”

READ MORE: Nurseries challenge West Lothian Council’s budget decision

Don’t miss the latest news from the West Lothian Courier. Sign up to our free newsletter here.

Rio Ferdinand has been left ‘frightened’ by the ongoing Iranian missile strikes targeting Dubai.

On Saturday missiles started raining down on the city in the United Arab Emirates, which came after Iran vowed to escalate retaliation for the killing of its supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Iran has long threatened to drag the region into total war if attacked, making good on that promise in response to the USA starting ‘major combat operations’ to destroy Iran’s uranium enrichment facilities.

Soon after Dubai began being targeted, many of its four million residents began sharing updates of what was unfolding on social media – including Rio’s wife Kate, who said they were ‘safe’ despite having to have a ‘sleepover’ in their basement.

A few days on, Manchester United legend Rio has now given an insight into what life in Dubai looks like right now.

Last year the retired footballer, 47, moved to the Middle East with his wife Kate, 34, and their children, Shae, two, Cree, five, as well as Rio’s daughter Tia, 14.

During the latest episode of his football podcast, Rio Ferdinand Presents, he opened by admitting it had been a ‘bit of a different week’.

‘Firstly, I’m in great condition this morning as the whole family did a workout. A bit like in Covid, the whole family is doing things we wouldn’t usually be doing together,’ he explained.

‘Home-schooling a bit today. It’s frightening when you hear missiles, planes and fighter jets – I don’t know what it is – going above us, and you’re hearing big bombs, and what that is we don’t know as we don’t know the details of what they are.

‘It’s telling your kids what it is and helping them navigate through this moment, which is important especially as the dad of the house. You want to try and remain calm and keep everybody as calm as possible.

‘I’ve got to be honest guys; it’s been a bit of a scary situation but at the same time weirdly enough I’ve felt very secure and looked after. My studio has become my bunker.’

He went on to share: ‘We were advised to go into the basement on the first night of all the noise started and we were down here sleeping with duvets and stuff. We are utilising the space wisely.’

His comments come after Kate shared a series of updates on social media over the weekend, which came after what she described as a ‘very scary night’.

Taking to her Instagram Story, Kate apologised for her initial silence on the matter, thanking fans for their concerned messages.

‘I just haven’t been able to find the words. We are safe,’ she began.

‘The government are doing an amazing job of keeping it that way and despite my nerves I feel we are in very safe hands.

‘We are hoping for a calmer evening tonight, last night was very scary.’

She added that ‘Cree and Shae loved it as they couldn’t believe we all got a sleepover in the basement’.

‘Thank you for all of your prayers, this whole experience is very eye opening & I am praying for anyone affected,’ she concluded.

Rio’s sons with late wife Rebecca, Lorenz, 19, and Tate, 17, did not relocate with the family when they moved to Dubai last year due to their budding football careers back home in the UK.

But Kate – who rose to fame appearing on The Only Way is Essex – previously admitted she was finding it difficult returning to Dubai after spending Christmas back in London.

‘I feel like we’ve opened our eyes to a different world. But I love London, I love the UK. I love so many things about the UK. I do feel happy in Dubai, but I’m just missing a part of me,’ she said on her Blended podcast.

‘I think it’s an amazing place to live, I think it’s amazing for the children. The children are thriving and happy and living a life of just outside freedom.

‘Rio loves it so much. I am enjoying it, but I miss home quite a lot. I get upset. I miss the big boys a lot and I’m just struggling with that.’

However, she added: ‘I know this decision is right for my younger children and as a family we are settled there, but the boys are following their football careers. So, they’re doing what they want to do otherwise they’d be with us. But it’s very hard because we’ve been through so much as a family and we’ve always been together and that’s a huge adjustment.’

But speaking on LBC Radio in November, Rio revealed that the move has allowed him to spend more time with family, which he said had been a ‘great thing’.

‘I love England and I’m a patriotic guy in that sense, but a new journey, a new chapter, something different, I think is a refreshing new chapter in my life,’ he explained.

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When revealing their overseas move publicly, Rio and Kate shared: ‘We’ve talked about this for so long, and now it’s finally real… we’re here, we are making a new home in the place we met!’

‘Missing some of our specials already & a bit scared, excited & nervous – but more than anything, ready for fresh starts and new beginnings.’

They have since moved to a £6.5million mansion in the luxurious gated community of Al Barari.

Since the initial strikes, UK flights to the Middle East have been cancelled, while airports in Dubai and Doha have halted all services until further notice.

On Saturday, the UK Foreign Office warned Brits in Dubai that they should ‘immediately shelter in place’.

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Prime Minister Keir Starmer has also said in a joint statement with the leaders of France and Germany that Iran must ‘refrain from indiscriminate military strikes’.

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Last year, Olly Murs found himself at the centre of a debate focused solely on whether he was hotter before or after his body transformation.

The Heart Skips A Beat singer unveiled his toned abs last April, expecting it to be just his fanbase who interacted. Instead, the whole internet suddenly had an opinion.

‘I want to say I’m used to it, but I’m normally used to it for sort of positive reasons,’ he told Metro of the out-of-the-blue attention.

Olly felt the debate ‘really shouldn’t have been a story’, and was left a little baffled as strangers voiced whether they preferred his ‘before’ body.

His nutritionist, Greg, had posted a side-by-side comparison: one of Olly before starting his new training plan, and another after three months of healthy eating and what he described as ‘discipline’.

A random X account then shared a poll on which people preferred, gaining over 4,900 votes, with more than 79% of women saying they preferred him pre-training plan, compared to just 35.65% of men.

It erupted into a gender debate, which even the panel on Loose Women weighed in on, asking if our ‘fitness obsession’ had gone too far.

Having been in the spotlight since 2009, he’s grown comfortable with his life being up for public consumption, but he admitted this time ‘hurt’.

‘It didn’t affect me, well, it did a bit,’ he confessed. ‘I’d like to think it was done in jest, it was more tongue in cheek, but it did hit home to me.’

The strangest thing about the entire story was that Olly posts shirtless workout videos constantly; this was not a big reveal or an oddity on his page.

Despite the fascination with him, the former The Voice judge simply kept going to the gym and ‘let everyone else comment.’

‘I did it for many reasons, personally,’ he continued. ‘It was on my own little journey. So, for it to be put out there like it was quite odd, to be honest.’

Olly’s body overhaul came at a really transformative time in his life; he’d just welcomed daughter Madison the year before and they were expecting their second child.

Baby boy Albert was born in September, with wife Amelia declaring at the time her heart was ‘so full of love’.

He’s continued his fitness journey and is preparing to get back on the field for his eighth Soccer Aid for UNICEF, 16 years after his first time playing the charity game.

Olly took a bit of a break over the past few years, but he’s considered an original player and was basically always on the pitch for several years.

‘Soccer Aid has been a huge part of my journey in my career, really, it was one of the first things I ever did when I came off X Factor,’ he recalled.

He’s itching to catch up with ‘the old guard’, as celebrities ‘don’t really get to hang out’ outside of big events like this.

‘To spend a week with people at the hotel and during the game, it’s a real experience. And then when you meet up in like, a year or two, three years’ time, you always remember the experiences that you shared together.’

‘It’s something you always remember, and it’s pretty special.’

In 2021, he had to undergo surgery after a fragment of bone lodged in the back of his knee from an injury on stage.

He told us after the interview that he was planning to post an MRI scan with a big update on his knee, proving he’s not been intimidated by the body debate.

In the update he shared after seven years, he still gets the ‘odd arthritic niggle and moments where I feel it’.

After the long road to recovery, Olly is finally ready to step back on the pitch, taking on a variety of football stars, including Wayne Rooney.

This year’s celebrity squad boasts big names, including founder Robbie Williams, alongside Tom Hiddleston, GK Barry, Owen Cooper, Joe Marler, and Jordan North.

While it might be a charity game, Olly’s assured us it’s anything but a casual kick around, it’s a ‘really serious game of football’.

Returning player Usain Bolt is a prime example of that after being carried off on a stretcher in 2024 due to a ruptured Achilles.

Outside of his dedication to fitness and the great game, Olly is taking a break from music after dropping his album Knees Up last year.

One song, Bonkers, went particularly viral, which he had anticipated, acknowledging it was always going to be a ‘marmite sort of song’.

‘For new people, because of the internet, they were just a bit like, “Well, that’s a bit odd”. But if you’re a fan of my music, then that wouldn’t be odd, I’ve done things like that in the past.’

However, for the next year, he’s going to be putting a pause on music and focusing on his ‘nice little side projects’ instead.

He told us he planned to take a ‘nice year’ to focus on his family as well as presenting on Heart radio.

‘I’ll keep myself busy, but it’s a nice pace, relaxed,’ Olly grinned.

Soccer Aid for UNICEF takes place on Sunday 31st May at the London Stadium. Adult tickets start from £20 and juniors from £10: socceraid.org.uk/tickets.

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The Scottish side are the latest to be linked with the Slovenian

Scottish giants Rangers are the latest side to be tipped with an interest in Swansea CIty striker Zan Vipotnik.

The Slovenian has been in scintillating form this season, with his tally of 16 goals sending him to the top of the Championship’s goal-scoring charts.

It’s a run that’s unsurprisingly caught the attention of sides elsewhere, with a report from Football Fancast now claiming that Rangers have surged to the head of the queue in the growing race for his signature.

They say Vipotnik has been identified as a possible replacement for Danilo, who’s reportedly likely to leave Ibrox this summer.

It’s also claimed Nottingham Forest and Sunderland are also in the mix, but given that Rangers are likely to offer European football, they are now considered favourites for his signature.

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However, sources have told WalesOnline that the Scottish side are yet to express any official interest in Vipotnik.

Nevertheless, interest in the Slovenian will inevitably grow should he continue his rich run of form.

It’s understood the likes of West Ham United, along with several clubs in Italy were watching the forward during the January window, although a serious approach never arrived before deadline day, with Swansea’s valuation cited as a key sticking point.

The Swans slapped a price tag of £15m on Vipotnik’s head, a move that clearly succeeded in warding off potential suitors.

But the landscape could be different come the summer, and should the player continue to score goals, his valuation may well be seen as less of a risk.

It’s possible the Swans may look to tie down the former Bordeaux star to a new and improved deal in a bid to further strengthen their hand. But, at the time of writing, no such talks have yet taken place.

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Matos has freely admitted he expects there to be growing interest in his top scorer should his form continue, describing it as ” the normal circle of football.”

When asked whether Vipotnik has the potential to thrive at Premier League level, he added: “It will always depend where he goes, how he fits the squad, how he fits the style.

“I think he has a lot of qualities. He has much more [to come] as well, that’s what I said before.

“He helps so much the team at the moment, pressing-wise, setting triggers, being a reference. So he’s improving his game as well.

“And I think if he keeps on that direction, he’s becoming a more complete number nine. The more complete he becomes, the closer he is to having an impact on the future for his career.”

Customers who have bought the product should return it to store for a full refund and watch for symptoms

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Tesco has issued an urgent food recall alert after customers were warned about the detection of Salmonella. The bacteria has been discovered in Bastides Saucisson Sec, a French dry-cured pork sausage.

The product comes in a 200g pack, with a best before date of 4 March 2026, and a barcode 5010292933486.

Customers who have purchased this item are strongly advised not to consume it. However, if you have already eaten it, you should monitor for symptoms of Salmonella.

These typically include fever, diarrhoea and abdominal cramps. The FSA advised: “If you are experiencing these symptoms, you should stay away from work, school or nursery until you have stopped having symptoms for at least 48 hours to avoid passing it on to others.”

The FSA further stated: “If you have bought the above product do not eat it. Instead, return it to your nearest Tesco store for a full refund. For more information email customercare@compleatfood.com.”, reports the Mirror.

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The recall notice clarified: “We are voluntarily recalling the following Bastides product sold exclusively in Tesco stores, with the best before date 04/03/2026, due to a presence of salmonella.

“If you have purchased this product, please do not eat it. Return it to the Tesco store where it was purchased for full refund, this is an isolated incident and no other Bastides products are known to be affected.”

Salmonella bacteria is a common cause of food poisoning. The NHS stated: “The symptoms usually start within a few hours or a few days of eating food that caused the infection.

“Sometimes symptoms do not start for a few weeks.”

It notes that many people can manage food poisoning at home, with symptoms typically improving within a week.

The NHS added: “The most important thing is to have lots of fluids to avoid dehydration.”

If you do have food poisoning, you must remain at home and get plenty of rest.

You need to drink lots of fluids, eat when feeling able to and take paracetamol if in discomfort. You must not have fruit juice or fizzy drinks and should avoid foods that are fatty or spicy.

The NHS says you must call 999 or go to A&E if you vomit blood or have vomit that looks like ground coffee.

Other signs you need urgent medical help include green vomit, stiff neck, pain when looking at bright lights, sudden and severe headache or tummy ache, blue, grey, pale or blotchy skin, lips or tongue.

Severe difficulty breathing or taking lots of quick, short breaths and being confused or not responding as usual are also key warning signs to watch out for.

Light therapy sounds wholesome. Clean. Almost pastoral. Sit in front of a lamp. Feel better.

In our latest episode of the Strange Health podcast, we discovered that it can also mean strapping on a flashing mask and watching your own brain generate kaleidoscopic hallucinations behind closed eyelids.

The spark for this episode was a stroboscopic light device called the Lumenate Nova, promoted on social media by celebrities including Jennifer Aniston and Rosamund Pike, who serves as the brand’s creative director and is also an investor. The device claims to use carefully timed pulses of light to guide users into altered, meditative states, described by the company as “sober tripping”.

I was sceptical but gave it a go. “Sober tripping” sounded like a level of experimentation I could live with.

After watching what looked like brightly coloured fireworks, I eventually felt as if I were surrounded by a mountainscape, basking in a warm ray of sunshine coming from the left side of my vision. I had to remind myself I was on my sofa in Doncaster at 7pm. There was no sun.

The visions quietened my usually chatterbox brain. For 15 minutes, that alone felt like relief.

So what is actually happening? Stroboscopic light delivers rhythmic pulses that pass through the eyelids and stimulate the retina. When those flashes align with rhythms the visual system naturally oscillates at, including alpha-range activity, signals in the visual cortex begin to synchronise with the pattern. The result can be surprisingly vivid: spirals, tunnels, lattices, shifting colours and, for some people, more complex scenes with recognisable shapes and places.

The brain is constantly predicting what it expects to see. It breaks visual input into edges, colour and movement, then rebuilds it into the seamless scene we experience. When rhythmic light disrupts those patterns, the brain tries to make sense of the signals. Sometimes that means geometry. Sometimes it feels like landscapes.

We spoke to David Schwartzman, a research fellow at the Sussex Centre for Consciousness Science at the University of Sussex, who has been studying these effects for more than a decade. He describes stroboscopic hallucinations as a controllable way to explore how the brain constructs visual experience. They offer a glimpse of the underlying machinery of perception rather than a treatment in themselves.

Interest in stroboscopic light is not new. In 1819, the Czech anatomist Jan Purkyně described geometric patterns seen when moving his fingers in front of a candle with eyes closed. In the 1960s, artists Brion Gysin and Ian Sommerville built the “Dreamachine”, a spinning cylinder designed to induce altered states without drugs.

More recently, a large public installation called Dreamachine toured the UK in 2022, allowing tens of thousands of people to lie inside a purpose-built structure and experience synchronised light and sound. Participants reported everything from gentle patterning to overwhelming geometric worlds.

But what about the health claims? The phrase “light therapy” now covers very different technologies. Some regulate sleep and mood. Others aim to alter perception itself. Bright light therapy is well established for seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Used correctly, typically in the morning at prescribed intensities, it can help regulate circadian rhythms and improve mood in some people. That is different from stroboscopic stimulation, which targets visual perception rather than sleep-wake cycles.

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How light can shift your mood and mental health

Research into strobe-based interventions for depression is ongoing. Early studies are exploring safety, tolerability and whether the immersive experience might influence mood in ways researchers are beginning to compare with psychedelic-assisted therapy. It is promising, but not yet a standard treatment.

There are also experimental trials using 40 hertz flickering light in Alzheimer’s disease, based on the idea that synchronising brain rhythms could influence disease processes. This approach remains in clinical testing and is not an established therapy.

There are risks. Flashing lights can trigger seizures in people with photosensitive epilepsy, although only a small proportion of people with epilepsy are photosensitive. Even in people without epilepsy, intense exposure can cause discomfort, headaches or nausea. Dose, brightness and individual sensitivity matter. People with epilepsy or migraine disorders may be advised to avoid stroboscopic devices.

Light can be therapeutic. It can also overwhelm. From SAD lamps to UV treatment for psoriasis and neonatal jaundice, light is powerful biology, but it is not automatically benign.

Strange Health is hosted by Katie Edwards and Dan Baumgardt. The executive producer is Gemma Ware, with video and sound editing for this episode by Anouk Millet. Artwork by Alice Mason.

Listen to Strange Health via any of the apps listed above, download it directly via our RSS feed or find out how else to listen here. A transcript is available via the Apple Podcasts or Spotify apps.