Do you really know?

What is the romance gap?

11 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

There’s certainly been a lot of progress in breaking down gender roles since the turn of the century, but still traditional expectations persist in ...

Could the human race become infertile?

11 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In April 2023, the World Health Organization released a new report on infertility, which said that around one in sex people worldwide experience infer...

How can you beat hangxiety?

10 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

If you drink alcohol, the chances are that on occasion you’ve overdone it and drunk way more than you planned to. Or maybe you decided to let yourse...

What is cookie jarring in the dating world?

10 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Do you have an ex who seems to always get back in touch whenever they’re feeling lonely and have no one else in their sights?  Or how about this: P...

How can I save 1000 pounds in a year?

09 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Saving money can be challenging, especially in these uncertain times. But it's not impossible. With some planning, discipline and creativity, you can ...

Why are some people constantly sexually aroused?

09 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The condition we’re going to talk about today is pretty rare. It affects around 1% of women, but it can really disrupt the lives of those who suffer...

Does sex help us to sleep better?

08 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

According to Mental Health UK, nearly one in five people in the country don’t get enough sleep. We’ve talked about various types of sleep disorder...

Why is male fertility declining so drastically?

07 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

For 30 years, male sperm counts have been declining all around the world, particularly in Western countries. It’s been demonstrated over and over ag...

Why do we cross our fingers to wish for luck?

07 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Whether it’s making a wish over a birthday cake, waiting for lottery results, or opening an email following a job interview, it's pretty common to c...

What's the best time of day to have sex?

07 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Over the years, many surveys have looked into what time of day people say they most enjoy having sex, but the findings have varied drastically. For in...

What is confirmation bias and how does it affect our judgement?

06 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever found yourself in a debate with someone and realised as it goes on, that the person you’re talking to simply isn’t going to change t...

What are the best ways to reuse my household waste?

05 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

November is synonymous with Black Friday, great deals but what cost? Over consumption is endangering our already fragile planet. Is it time to change ...

What are the risks of anal sex?

05 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Anal sex has become more and more popular in recent years, and that’s true for young people in particular. In August 2022, The Guardian reported on ...

Why are some people always late?

04 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We’ve all been late at some point, but for some, tardiness is a chronic habit. You probably know someone who’s always running behind, or maybe you...

What is white privilege?

04 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What is white privilege? Thanks for asking! Like a lot of things, the concept of white privilege comes from the USA. It means that simply being white...

Why do people say that black cats bring bad luck?

03 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

According to estimations from the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals charity, UK households are home to around 11 million pet cats. Cats have long...

Why are some deadly diseases re-emerging?

03 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

If you're not up to date with your vaccinations, it might just be time to schedule an appointment with your doctor! When it comes to the diseases we’...

What are the dirtiest objects in your home?

03 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

You might assume that your toilet bowl is the dirtiest place in your flat or house, but in fact that’s pretty far from the truth. Our homes are act...

What is friluftsliv, the perfect Norwegian lifestyle trend for winter?

02 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Last weekend brought snowfall across much of the United Kingdom, offering a clear sign that winter is here. Now with temperatures this low, the instin...

Aquamation : what are the advantages of being buried in water?

02 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Until recently when confronted with arranging a funeral there has been a choice between burial or cremation. However, in parts of the US, Canada and s...

How can you keep your cortisol levels under control?

01 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We talk about hormones a lot on Do You Really Know, so if you’ve tuned in before, you may well already be aware that cortisol is known as the stress...

Where does the myth of the Loch Ness Monster come from?

31 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Affectionately known as Nessie, the mythical Loch Ness Monster has been a source of fascination and terror for many centuries. Many sightings have bee...

Why is Noah syndrome so dangerous?

31 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

April 2024 saw a couple in the south of France handed a one-year suspended sentence, and a ban from having pets, after they were discovered keeping 15...

What is social jet lag?

30 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

You’ve probably heard of jetlag, the feeling of fatigue and disorientation that occurs when you travel across different time zones, but did you know...

Does sleeping next to someone improve sleep quality?

29 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever cursed your luck at having a partner who snores, or spends the whole night tossing and turning in bed? It can be tempting to consider ab...

Could intentional lazy parenting foster your child's independence?

29 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

You have to navigate an almost endless list of uncertainties when raising a child, and it’s hard to figure out the best approach to parenting. At o...

What is a testicle bath?

29 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Still in this day and age, the burden of being responsible for birth control falls mainly on women. You’ve got an almost endless list of reversible ...

What is ecological debt?

28 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Let’s take a moment to consider a concept which highlights both the scale of the climate crisis and inequalities between different areas of the worl...

Why do our stomachs rumble?

28 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It can be embarrassing when your stomach rumbles in public, but it’s a totally natural bodily function. The scientific name for those rumbles or gro...

What is Lego?

28 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Danish toy brand Lego may be celebrating its 91th anniversary in 2023, but it’s showing no signs of slowing down! An average of 31 billion brick...

Why are more and more people paying to find love?

27 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

According to a 2019 report from eharmony, a third of relationships had started online between 2015 and 2019, compared to just 19% in the preceding dec...

Why do women live longer than men?

27 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In the period from 2018 to 2020, the life expectancy at birth for women in the UK was 82.9 years, while it was just 79 for men. That’s according to ...

How much money makes you happy?

26 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Money can buy a lot, but can it buy happiness? This is a question that philosophers, economists, scientists and storytellers have puzzled over for so...

What is a ‘lazy girl’ job?

25 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A lazy girl job is an easy, enjoyable and well-paid job that doesn’t require much passion or effort, and leaves you with plenty of time to live your...

What is Munchausen Syndrome?

25 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

If you have heard of Munchausen Syndrome before, it’s far more likely you’ve seen it represented in popular culture than in real life. Like a lot ...

Why do we forget our dreams?

25 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

On average, we remember just one dream per week, and around 5% of us never remember any. But in reality, we all dream; it’s just that some of us nev...

What is the Streisand effect?

24 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What is the Streisand effect? Entertainment icon Barbra Streisand celebrated her 80th birthday on 24th April 2022. The actress, director, producer an...

What are earworms, the songs we just can't get out of our heads?

24 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever had a song stuck in your head for hours or even days? One that pops up randomly and repeats itself over and over again? Let’s take a m...

Is it a good idea to sleep with my pet?

24 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

If you have ever slept with a cat or a dog, you know how cozy it can be. Whether they are at the foot of the bed or on the duvet, pets can make you fe...

How can I recognise a flying monkey, the narcissistic abuser’s best friend?

23 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We’ve already talked about narcissistic abusers in a previous episode of Do You Really Know? Let’s refresh your memory: narcissistic abusers, or N...

How have dating apps broken into the friendship market?

23 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

One of the biggest indirect impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic has been that on people’s mental health. Limited social interactions have led to feelin...

Aquamation : what are the advantages of being buried in water?

23 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Until recently when confronted with arranging a funeral there has been a choice between burial or cremation. However, in parts of the US, Canada and s...

What is a pyramid scheme?

22 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

You’ve probably seen ads online promising easy money—“Make up to £300 a day using just your phone! Join me and change your life” It sounds te...

What is misogynoir?

22 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

You may remember that we discussed the idea of intersectionality in a previous episode of Do You Really Know?. The term describes how characteristics ...

Could the deep work technique help me concentrate better at work?

22 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Distractions in the workplace are almost endless, from Slack group notifications to questions from colleagues to the dozen or more tabs you’ve got o...

What is a Saturn return in astrology?

21 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Astrology has had a real revival in these last few years, in particular among the younger generations. You may remember we ran an episode on the subje...

Why is physical contact important for our health?

21 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

When it comes to expressions about skin, the English language is not lacking. For example, we can be thick or thin skinned, or have someone under our ...

Do men really have a better sense of direction than women?

20 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Some theories in evolutionary psychology propose that men are better at spatial navigation than women due to evolutionary factors. In prehistoric time...

What is the Barnum effect?

20 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever felt like your horoscope was written just for you? Or a fortune’s cookie advice seemed incredibly relevant? You may be surprised, but ...

What is Blue Monday?

20 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Sorry to end the week with bad news but tomorrow, January 16th, is Blue Monday, often cited as the most depressing day of the year. Blue Monday has ex...

What is the Smurfette Principle?

19 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Does that ring a bell? How many of you spent hours in front of the Smurfs as children? We’re sure you remember the smiley little girl with blond hai...

What is an inclusive Barbie?

19 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Barbie has quite the impressive CV. She has had over 150 careers including fashion editor, surgeon and astronaut - enough to inspire any young fan. B...

Why do we get screen apnea?

19 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It’s pretty common knowledge that office workers across the world have a sedentary lifestyle, which is linked with a whole host of potential health ...

What is the Golem effect?

18 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Not long ago we talked about the Pygmalion effect in an episode of Do You Really Know? Well today’s subject is pretty much the exact opposite! The G...

Why do we get bad breath?

18 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

According to The Cleveland Clinic, around one in four people are affected by bad breath. It’s also known as halitosis and bad breath can be a source...

What is Karoshi, the dangerous overwork epidemic?

18 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The subject we’re talking about today is most associated with Japan, but is also relevant in many other parts of the world. The Japanese word “Kar...

Why do we get grumpy when we're hungry?

17 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

According to USA Today, the word “hangry” entered the Oxford English Dictionary in 2018. It’s a portmanteau term which combines the words “hun...

What is the best time of day to take a shower?

17 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

YouGov data from 2019 showed that 49% of Brits shower once per day, while 20% do so 4 to 6 times per week. And 6% even shower more than once per day! ...

What 5 foods can improve brain performance?

16 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Eating a healthy diet that includes a lot of fruits, vegetables, legumes, and fish can help you keep your brain in tip-top shape. There are plenty of ...

How can I avoid falling victim to roaching?

16 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

You've been seeing someone for a few weeks now. The romantic dinners, cozy nights at each other's places, and sweet morning or evening texts have been...

What is future faking?

16 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

“I can’t wait for us to get married;” “Let’s travel the world together;” “We’re going to have two kids and buy that apartment across t...

What is attachment theory?

15 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Each of us has our own unique experience of social bonds, influenced by our childhood, previous relationships, and personality. And there’s actually...

Will ATMs disappear?

15 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The number of free-to-use ATMs in the UK has been steadily declining, with a 6% drop from 2022 to mid-2023. This reflects a shift in consumer habits, ...

What is Wikipedia?

15 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What is Wikipedia? Thanks for asking!  OK so everybody already knows what Wikipedia is, but let’s look closer at its history, how it works and the ...

How could the 52 week method help me save money?

14 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Let’s be honest; who among us doesn’t daydream about having saving money effortlessly? The new year period is often synonymous with ambitious reso...

What are energy vampires?

14 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever noticed how certain people just seem to drain your emotional energy any time you see or speak to them? It could be a work colleague, a f...

What is shy bladder syndrome?

13 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, we're going to talk about a condition that affects millions of people around the world, but is rarely discussed openly. It's called shy bladder...

What is London's No Trouser Day?

12 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

You may have seen it on the news, on social media, or even on the tube: hundreds of people riding the underground with no trousers on, in the middle o...

What makes someone a cat person?

11 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

People often refer to themselves as cat person or dog person, as well as meaning that they prefer this animal to the other, it implies that they iden...

Why do some stroke victims wake up with a foreign accent?

10 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The idea might seem like something out of a fantasy, but “Foreign Accent Syndrome” is a genuine, albeit very rare, neurological condition! It sees...

How has the slomadism trend taken off since Covid?

10 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

According to an August 2023 report by human resources company MBO Partners, the number of Americans considering themselves digital nomads increased by...

Should I cut the electricity at home during a storm?

10 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As thunderclouds gather and winds intensify, the decision to shut off the power becomes a critical one, balancing safety concerns with the practicalit...

How to exercise safely when the weather is cold?

09 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Many people tend to exercise less during the colder months, preferring to stay indoors and avoid the chilly weather. But doing exercise in winter is a...

What's the best way to choose my toothpaste?

09 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Choosing the right toothpaste can be a bit of a challenge, either because there's a plethora of options or because you might have specific requirement...

Can going through a breakup really make us fall sick?

08 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Restless sleep, a hollow feeling inside and the sting of heartbreak; most of us have been through that kind of ordeal at least once in our lives. Let’...

Is holding back a sneeze dangerous?

08 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Whether it's a matter of courtesy or preventing the spread of germs, it's not uncommon for people to hold back a sneeze. When this happens, the interc...

How did flat Earth conspiracy theory start?

07 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Flat Earthers believe that the Earth is not spherical, but rather a flat disc and the Sun and the Moon are also flat discs that circle above the Eart...

What’s the "Cuffing Season" everyone's talking about right now?

06 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The "cuffing season" refers to that time of year—typically from October through February—when people are more likely to pair up. It’s not about ...

Could the 42% rule help me have a better work-life balance?

05 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

More and more people across the world are struggling with burnout. According to a Future Forum survey of over 10,000 workers from February 2023, as ma...

What happens to your online life after you die?

05 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

When you die, your physical body may be gone, but your digital legacy lives on. Your digital legacy is everything you leave behind online, such as you...

What happens to our bodies when we do Dry January?

04 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

You’re most likely familiar with the concept of Dry January, which started out in the UK in 2013 and has since become hugely popular. It involves no...

What is the third state of existence between life and death?

03 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In some religions, people believe in reincarnation or an afterlife, but in medicine, life is generally considered to end when the heart stops beating....

Is being delulu a good thing?

03 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

"May all your delulu come trululu, because being delulu is the solulu." The clip you just listened to comes from American influencer Bianca Bernardo ...

What is the 4B Movement?

02 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

On November 5, 2024, Donald Trump was elected the 47th President of the United States. That same evening, his opponent, Kamala (like calm) Harris, con...

What are the benefits of slow sex?

02 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We all know that having sex is a great form of stress relief. It releases pleasure hormones, like endorphins and oxytocin, also reinforcing the cardio...

Why are so many people suffering from AI anxiety?

01 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A Pew Research Center survey from August 2023 found that 52% of respondents were more concerned than excited about AI in daily life, compared with jus...

Why does the year begin on January 1st?

01 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As we embrace resolutions and light up the skies with fireworks, it's time to mark the arrival of the New Year! All of us on the Do You Really Know te...

How can I make and keep my new year’s resolutions?

01 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

For many new year’s is a great time to take a look at your life and make some changes. Unfortunately, According to the time management firm Frankli...

What are the best hangover foods?

31 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

If you wake up feeling rough after a night of heavy drinking, it's likely your liver couldn't handle all that alcohol, and your body couldn't flush it...

Are we less fertile than before?

30 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

According to the British Fertility Society, between 9% and 15% of couples will encounter fertility problems, while Fertility Network UK says that “o...

What are subliminals?

29 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What are subliminals? If you listen to some people out there, they’ll tell you you can improve your self-esteem, change your eye colour, or become a...

Is menopause still a taboo subject?

29 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The menopause is the period in a woman’s life when she stops ovulating and having periods, due to lower hormone levels in the body. Despite the fact...

What is shrinkflation, the sneaky tactic manufacturers are hiding from consumers?

28 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Marketing technique shrinkflation is becoming more and more common in large retail stores, in particular down to the ongoing war in Ukraine. It sees m...

How does viagra work?

28 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ever since it hit the market, the little blue pill known as viagra has transformed the sex lives of millions of couples around the world. Viagra was d...

What is Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome?

28 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

According to the World Health Organisation, harmful use of alcohol accounts for 3 million deaths each year. Indeed, it’s the third leading cause of ...

What is 12-3-30, the viral Tiktok workout?

27 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

If you use Tiktok, you may well have seen videos of people walking on a treadmill at a steep incline. Many of them claim to have lost weight and impro...

How can I avoid the side effects of antibiotics?

27 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Antibiotics are critical to modern medicine, and have saved millions of lives since first being introduced in the mid-20th century. However, there are...

Are my smart devices spying on me?

27 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Smart devices can be very handy, but increasingly people are worried about exactly how smart they are, what they know and what they are doing with our...

What is Stendhal syndrome?

26 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What is Stendhal syndrome? Stendhal’s syndrome is a rare and unusual psychological disorder. It’s a psychosomatic condition whereby certain people...

How can I return unwanted gifts?

25 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It’s great to be remembered by friends, colleagues, and family at Christmas, but despite people’s best intentions, they don't always get you what ...