Do you really know?

How often should I shower?

05 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Whether it's for the sake of comfort or maintaining good hygiene, many of us opt for taking a shower on a daily basis. Studies have shown it's the mos...

Could Britain ever rejoin the EU?

04 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Brexit deal, signed by Prime Minister Boris Johnson in December 2020, has had a profound impact on the UK's economy, society, and politics. But wh...

What is pandemic skip?

03 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic is still palpable, with repercussions stretching across various facets like the economy, education, and health. Th...

What are the best hangover foods?

03 Jan 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...

What are the pros and cons of homeownership in the UK?

02 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Currently there are many people that just feel they cannot get onto the property ladder, but is buying your own home really the best way to invest you...

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

02 Jan 2024

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...

Why does the year begin on January 1st?

01 Jan 2024

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...

Which Wikipedia pages were most visited in 2023?

31 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's been over two decades since Wikipedia flipped the script on how we gather information. Every year, millions of us turn to it to feed our curiosit...

Why do we get bad breath in the morning?

30 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It’s somewhat unpleasant when you wake up with halitosis, more commonly known as bad breath, but it’s actually a totally normal and natural phenom...

What does Mercury in retrograde mean?

30 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As you may well know, astrology involves looking at the position of planets and stars when we were born, and using that to interpret their influence o...

What is body neutrality?

29 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

According to a 2019 online survey conducted by the Mental Health Foundation and YouGov, over a third of UK adults have felt anxious or depressed becau...

What are the most popular and unusual baby names in the UK?

28 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

According to the most recent data from the Office for National Statistics. For boys, the top name was Noah, which replaced Oliver from the previous ye...

How can I return unwanted gifts?

28 Dec 2023

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 ...

What is future faking?

27 Dec 2023

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...

Why are we so fascinated by true crime?

27 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The 21st century has seen true crime stories surge in popularity, dominating bookshelves and TV schedules. Documentaries like Making A Murderer and po...

Why is the UK not as happy as it used to be?

26 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

According to the World happiness report, of the 137 countries they include, the UK has fallen to 19th position. This follows a steady decline over the...

How can I protect my mental health during the holiday season?

26 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Christmas is seen as a season of joy, but it can also be a testing time for many people, whether it’s mentally, emotionally, physically or financial...

Why do we give each other gifts at Christmas?

25 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In the UK, Christmas is synonymous with festive meals, Yule logs, and the classic roast turkey. We adorn our homes with red, gold, and green decoratio...

What is Christmas tree syndrome?

24 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Sniffling, sneezing, itchy eyes, asthma flare-ups, and even sleep disruptions. If you're wondering why you're dealing with all the telltale signs of h...

Why does Norway offer a Christmas tree to London every year?

24 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

If you have ever been to London over Christmas then you could not have missed the lights on oxford street and of course the huge Christmas tree standi...

What are the strangest Christmas traditions?

23 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In the Western world, we celebrate Christmas on December 25th to honour the birth of Jesus, a tradition dating back to around the year 300 AD. But wel...

Why does Christmas boost our libido?

23 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

According to a study published in the Scientific Reports journal in 2017, the holiday season sees a peak in sex-related searches on Google and Twitt...

Which types of alcohol should we avoid mixing?

22 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

During the extended holiday feasts, it's common to let loose a little, perhaps mixing different kinds of alcohol. You might start out with a glass of ...

Why do we kiss under the mistletoe?

21 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Mistletoe is a small evergreen parasitic plant that grows in clusters on trees. It has white berries and it has been used for centuries as a symbol of...

What is erectile dysfunction?

21 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As many as six in ten men have experienced erection problems over the course of their life. And that proportion has been on the rise in the last fifte...

Where did the story of the Grinch come from?

20 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

During the festive season, what beats snuggling up under a blanket with a classic Christmas movie? If you're a '90s kid, you'll likely recall a certai...

Why do the Japanese eat KFC at Christmas?

20 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On the evening of December 24th, as many households in the UK prepare for festive gatherings with traditional roast turkey and yule log, an intriguing...

Why do we associate red and green with Christmas?

19 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Christmas is a time of joy, celebration, gift-giving and of course decorating. For the most part people tend to stick to ‘Christmassy colours’ es...

Christmas is coming, discover new episodes!

19 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Christmas is coming and at Do You Really Know, we just can't wait! Now everybody knows that means pressies under the tree, precious family moments and...

At which time of day do we burn the most calories?

18 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

To stay in shape, it's crucial that you watch what you eat and steer clear of snacks. What's less commonly known, though, is that there are specific t...

Why does the cold make us need to pee?

17 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We've all experienced it: the sudden urge to pee when it's cold is a common thing. This connection was supposedly discovered by Austrian physician Alf...

Why do we cry?

16 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Humans are the only creatures on Earth that shed tears. Whether it's tears of joy, laughter, anger, pain, sadness, or fatigue, the emotions that bring...

What is the influence of the God complex in the workplace?

15 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We've all had that moment of slipping on our headphones heading to school or work and feeling like an unstoppable force. But while most of us leave th...

Why is panto a Christmas tradition in the UK?

14 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Panto, short for pantomime, has become a staple of British Christmas celebrations but surprisingly its origins are neither British or Christmassy. It ...

Why are some kinds of fruit not considered vegan?

13 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ever had that moment when you're relishing a juicy fig, and someone drops the bomb that you might be chowing down on a wasp? Surprising as it sounds, ...

Are we more likely to fall in love when it's cold?

13 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As winter quickly approaches, you might find yourself yearning to spend your evenings nestled on the couch, wrapped in a cosy blanket, sipping on hot ...

What were the Most Shocking Moments of the Turner Prize?

12 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The Turner Prize was established in 1984 by a group of art patrons who wanted to celebrate and support innovative and experimental art in Britain. The...

Which are the dirtiest parts of our bodies?

11 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Our bodies are covered in billions of bacteria, and while some are good for our skin barrier, others can be troublemakers, contributing to the develop...

Why do we cross our fingers to wish for luck?

10 Dec 2023

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...

Is holding back a sneeze dangerous?

09 Dec 2023

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 can I recognise ultra-processed foods?

09 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What do chicken nuggets, margarine and instant noodles all have in common? Well, they may look tasty, but they’re loaded with sugar, salt, fat and c...

What causes tocophobia, the fear of pregnancy and childbirth?

08 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

According to the NHS, approximately 1,600 babies are born every day in the United Kingdom. But what often goes unspoken are the nine months leading up...

How did flat Earth conspiracy theory start?

07 Dec 2023

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 Ear...

What are the dangers of hustle culture?

06 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

"There are way easier places to work, but nobody ever changed the world on 40 hours a week." That’s exactly what Elon Musk tweeted in November 2018,...

What's the best way to choose my toothpaste?

06 Dec 2023

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...

What is the Mandela Effect?

05 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The Mandela Effect is a phenomenon in which a large number of people share a false memory of something that never happened or happened differently fro...

How can my partner and I get better sleep together?

04 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

If your partner is constantly snoring, hogging the blanket, or tossing and turning every five minutes, and you're finding it increasingly challenging ...

How can I avoid falling victim to roaching?

04 Dec 2023

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...

Why are Christmas adverts so moving?

03 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

John Lewis has released its annual Christmas advert; entitled ‘The Beginner.’ It follows the progress of a middle aged man as he slowly, painfully...

What was the impact of the Angelina Jolie effect on women's health?

02 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In 2013, American actress Angelina Jolie made headlines by revealing in the New York Times that she had undergone a preventive double mastectomy to re...

How to buy second hand gifts?

02 Dec 2023

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 ...

Why do our bellies get fatter as we get older?

01 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As the years go by, those extra inches around the abdomen tend to sneak up on us, and that’s especially true once we hit our fifties. One major play...

What is the butterfly effect and how does it affect our lives?

30 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The butterfly effect is the idea that a small change in one part of the world can have huge consequences in another. It is often used as a metaphor fo...

What explains the rise of birth tourism?

29 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

When a woman is heavily pregnant, holiday or travel plans don't typically top the priority list. After all, flying isn't generally recommended during ...

How can I know if my partner is micro-cheating on me?

29 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

When it comes to what counts as being unfaithful in a relationship, everyone has their own definition. Some might say that only physical contact with ...

How to exercise safely when the weather is cold?

28 Nov 2023

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...

How can I take part in Giving Tuesday?

28 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Giving Tuesday is a worldwide initiative which encourages people to do good. The movement was created in the United States in 2012, and has since spre...

Why do people R-bomb in the dating world?

27 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We’ve talked about a lot of dating trends on Do You Really Know, many of which are pretty negative. And the subject of today’s episode is no excep...

Are budget food brands really worth the savings they offer?

26 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

How much attention do you pay to prices when doing your grocery shopping? In September 2023, UK consumer watchdog Which published research showing jus...

Why shouldn't we use the snooze function on our alarm clock?

25 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We all know the feeling of not wanting to get out of bed first thing in the morning. It can be tempting to press the "snooze" button on your alarm clo...

What are warming stripes?

25 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

If you’ve been to a climate demonstration in recent times, you may have noticed placards with a series of blue and red coloured stripes. Kind of lik...

Why is funflation causing us to spend more on live entertainment?

24 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

If you’re a fan of Taylor Swift, it won’t have escaped your notice that the singer was back on tour this year across the United States. And what a...

Are gas cookers dangerous?

23 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Gas cookers are a common feature in many kitchens, often preferred by chefs and home cooks for their precise temperature control but gas cookers emit...

How has the slomadism trend taken off since Covid?

22 Nov 2023

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...

Are men really more sensitive to pain than women?

22 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

When it comes to health, it’s clear that gender differences play a significant role. It's now recognized that the occurrence of diseases, their onse...

Is there any truth that lemon water is good for you ?

21 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Lemon water is a popular drink that many celebrities and wellness gurus swear by. But is it really as good as they claim? Or is it just another fad th...

Should I cut the electricity at home during a storm?

20 Nov 2023

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...

Could the PAUSE method help me make better decisions?

19 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Are you someone who thrives on making decisions at work, or do you prefer to take a back seat and let others have the final say? Decisions can be a so...

Why has far-right terrorism increased so much?

19 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In early December 2022, German authorities carried out a sting operation on the neo-Nazi Reichsburger group that was plotting to overthrow the country...

Do we really use just 10% of our brains?

18 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

According to a Michael J Fox Foundation survey from 2013, 65% of Americans believe that ushumans use just 10% of our brains. That’s not really a sur...

How is AI giving a voice to the dead?

17 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever seen the Black Mirror episode called "Be right back"? It aired back in February 2013 and sees a character called Ash die in a car accide...

Why is climbing stairs so good for you?

16 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

You might try to avoid them whenever you can, opting for the lift or the escalator instead. But did you know that stairs can actually super-charge you...

What is intuitive eating?

15 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

An IPSOS study from late 2020 found that 45% of people across the world were trying to lose weight at the time. In many cases, losing weight is benefi...

Which foods are best for burning fat?

15 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It’s common knowledge that autumn often sees people put on weight. But if you’re looking to shed a few pounds, there are some foods you can rely o...

Are you a time optimist?

14 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A time optimist is someone who is overly optimistic about how much time they have to do something, and therefore often ends up being late or missing d...

What are the dangers of using nitrous oxide - the laughing gas drug?

14 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Nitrous oxide, which is also known as laughing gas, is sold in metal canisters and is one of the most commonly used drugs by teenagers and young peopl...

What is a transference in psychiatry?

13 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever found yourself experiencing emotions like anger, frustration, or even affection towards your therapist? On the surface, it may seem like...

Does cold weather really make us sick?

12 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

"Wrap up warm, or you'll catch a cold!" No doubt you heard that advice a lot as a child, and you may well still hear it as an adult. For a long time, ...

What is coffee badging in the workplace?

11 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It doesn’t take a genius to realise that the COVID-19 pandemic changed the relationship many white-collar employees have with work. And that’s par...

What is revenge porn?

11 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Revenge porn is the intentional sharing of private sexual content, without the consent of the person in that content. It could be explicit text messag...

Why does cooking benefit our mental health?

10 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Cooking is a passion and hobby for a lot of people. They scour Pinterest for hours to pick the best recipe, dice their ingredients finely, let the foo...

What happens to your online life after you die?

09 Nov 2023

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...

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

08 Nov 2023

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 should I do with expired medicines?

08 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

How many times have you come across expired pills in your medicine cabinet and wondered  whether they we still safe to use? It’s pretty common, and...

What makes someone a cat person?

07 Nov 2023

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 ide...

Why are more and more people paying to find love?

06 Nov 2023

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...

Should I start my Christmas shopping in autumn?

05 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

You've probably noticed that as soon as the back-to-school season ends, stores start filling their shelves with chocolates, garlands, and Advent calen...

Will the meat of the future be printed in 3D?

04 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Climatologists and medical experts are in agreement about the detrimental impact of excessive meat consumption on both our environment and health. Ind...

Should I be cleaning my belly button?

03 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We talked about omplaphobia in a recent episode of Do You Really Know, which is the fear of belly buttons. Well the subject of today’s episode may m...

What do you get better at with age?

02 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

You might think that ageing is all about decline and deterioration, but that’s not the whole story. In fact, there are many aspects of life that imp...

Are our phones really eavesdropping on us?

01 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever had the eerie feeling that you’re being spied on by your smartphone? You know: you're having dinner with a friend, chatting about how ...

Is it best sleeping in total darkness?

01 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Almost all kids are afraid of the dark, and sometimes that fear even lingers into adulthood. It's a shame really because, contrary to what you might t...

What are the UK’s most haunted places to visit?

31 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Whether you’re a believer or a skeptic, you can’t deny that there’s something intriguing about the paranormal. And the UK has plenty of spooky s...

What is chromophobia?

30 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Chromophobia is a term with Greek origins, referring to the fear of colours. Initially, it was a concept used in biology to describe cells unresponsiv...

Why do we jump when we get scared?

29 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Whether you’re watching a horror film, or exposed to a sudden loud noise, all of us have jumped at some point when scared. The body’s response to ...

What is omphalophobia, the fear of belly buttons?

28 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Be honest, if you hadn’t heard the title of this episode, would you have been able to guess that this person was talking about a belly button? She w...

What are the dangers of self-diagnosis?

27 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The chances are that at some point you’ve scoured the internet in an attempt to figure out why you’re feeling sick. Maybe you go to Dr Google as a...

How does daylight saving affect your health?

26 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Daylight saving time (DST) It’s the practice of advancing your clocks by one hour during the spring and summer months, and then turning them back in...

What is the coffee cup test in job interviews?

25 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Job interviews have always been a daunting prospect for a number of reasons. And the process is only getting more time-consuming for candidates, witho...

Why is Disney becoming unpopular?

25 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The Walt Disney Company is celebrating its centenary this October, but the prevailing mood is far from festive. That’s because Disney's image is tak...