Episode 146 - Research Review: The PEM Puzzle

March 20, 2026 • 00:24:54
Episode 146 - Research Review: The PEM Puzzle
The Chronic Fatigue and Burnout Recovery Podcast
Episode 146 - Research Review: The PEM Puzzle

Mar 20 2026 | 00:24:54

/

Hosted By

Anna Marsh

Show Notes

Post-exertional malaise (PEM) is more than just feeling tired after activity — it’s a delayed and often severe worsening of symptoms that affects many people with ME/CFS and other energy-limiting conditions. In this episode, Anna unpacks what PEM is, why it happens, and what current research is beginning to reveal.

Anna explains how PEM differs from everyday fatigue, explores emerging insights into energy production, inflammation, and stress responses, and discusses why “pushing through” can be harmful. She also reflects on what this research means in real life, and how it can support safer pacing, validation, and more compassionate approaches to recovery.

This episode is a helpful listen if you want to better understand PEM, feel more validated in your experience, or learn how research can guide gentler, more supportive ways of managing energy.

Useful Links

Take the Chronic Fatigue Quiz: https://app.annamarsh.co.uk/quiz-page

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anna__marsh_

Work with me: https://annamarsh.co.uk/work-together/

Website: http://annamarsh.co.uk/

Join the Nurturing Resilience Subscription: https://annamarsh.co.uk/nurturing-resilience/

Article Link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12408823/

Other Episodes

Episode 53

September 14, 2023 • 00:49:03
Episode Cover

Episode 53 - Parasites and Chronic Fatigue

Shownotes If you have ever wondered if parasites could be impacting your health and energy, this episode is for you. This episode focuses on...

Listen

Episode 22

January 12, 2023 • 00:32:09
Episode Cover

Episode 22 - Two Client Archetypes: Which one are you?

Shownotes Anna reflects on the types of clients she works with in her practise and puts them in one of two categories. She explains...

Listen

Episode 56

October 05, 2023 • 00:46:51
Episode Cover

Episode 56 - Brain Injury, Brain Health and Chronic Fatigue

Shownotes In this episode Anna digs deeper into brain injuries and neuroinflammation. If you are someone experiencing chronic fatigue, your support plan should consider...

Listen