Do you really know?

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 fifteen years, according to a study released by IFOP in April 2019. It’s also known as impotence, and is a big health taboo among men. Erectile dysfunction is often linked to cardiovascular risk factors, so it’s important to consult a doctor if affected....

We all know that having sex is a great form of stress relief. It releases pleasure hormones, like endorphins and oxytocin, also reinforcing the cardiovascular and immune systems. But slow sex may be a way of further enhancing pleasure and allowing you to fully savor the multi-sensory experience that is good sex. It doesn’t have to be a race to the finish line! First of all, it’s a bit of a levelle...

Most of us would like to believe that the world can be a place of equal opportunities, where everyone has the same potential to shape their future, no matter their background. But in reality, the conditions into which a child is born is likely to shape their health, development and future. And some charities sadly witness that reality every day. In honour of Podcasthon 2026, let’s take a moment to...

The 21st century has seen true crime stories surge in popularity, dominating bookshelves and TV schedules. Documentaries like Making A Murderer and podcasts like Serial, which investigate real-life crimes, have become smash hits, attracting millions of viewers and downloads. Over in the US, a 2022 YouGov poll revealed that half of Americans enjoy true crime content, with one in three consuming it...

According to recent data from personal finance website NimbleFins, the average British family of four spent around £4,678 for a 9-night holiday abroad in 2023. And of that total amount, £1,828 went towards flights, nearly 40%, reflecting the reality that air fares still account for a high proportion of the total cost of a holiday.  And experts say that flight prices are set to continue rising in t...

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 identify with certain characteristics associated with their preferred pet, dogs are loyal, cats are smart, dogs can be trained to help people, cats cannot and so on.  The social psychologist Samuel D Gosling of the University of Texas studied the personal...

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 most popular shower frequency. Some swear by the virtues of a refreshing morning shower while others like theirs in the evening when winding down and getting ready for bed. But in actual fact, our bodies are pretty adept at self-cleaning. For instance,...

When it comes to what proportion of people speak more than one language, estimates vary but the general consensus is that at least half of the world’s population do so. If you're bilingual, you may well have encountered a fascinating phenomenon: that a new personality seems to emerge when you switch languages. In March 2017, Quartz ran an article on the subject, written by Nicola Prentis. Prentis...

I don’t know about you, but I find that there’s something about the seaside air which just always makes me relax and puts me in a better mood. As it turns out, that might be more than just my impression. A study conducted by the University of Vienna and published in May 2022 established that living near the sea can have significant effects on health and life expectancy.  Now the idea is not exactl...

The Green Belt is a policy for controlling urban growth in the United Kingdom. It refers to a ring of countryside where urbanisation will be resisted for the foreseeable future, maintaining an area where local food growing, forestry and outdoor leisure can be expected to prevail. The Green Belt policy was first introduced in 1935 by the Greater London Regional Planning Committee, and now covers 14...

We're well aware of its negative impact on our waistlines and heart health, but sugar also takes a toll on our brains. And it's not just found in the obvious sources like refined sugar from sugarcane or sugar beet – it's lurking in fruits as fructose and in dairy as lactose.  Back in 2015, the World Health Organisation released guidelines recommending adults and children “reduce their daily intake...

In France, adulthood starts at 18. In some countries, it’s 21. It all depends on the legal age of majority. But that line is mostly legal and science tells a more complex story. At 18, the brain is still developing. In particular, the prefrontal cortex at the front of the brain and the cerebellum. A 2009 study in the Journal of Adolescent Health shows these areas are crucial for emotion regulation...

You know how ginger and oysters are said to rev up your sex drive? We’ve talked about aphrodisiacs in the past on Do You Really Know but today we’re going to talk about foods and drinks that can do the exact opposite. They're called anaphrodisiacs, and they're known for putting a damper on your libido. Well, topping the list is alcohol. Despite its reputation as a social lubricant, it's actually t...

We all know that exercise does wonders for our bodies. But what might come as a surprise is that it can even bring us to climax, at least for women. Now, that might sound a bit far-fetched, but it's actually true: achieving the ultimate pleasure during a workout is possible. According to Medicalnewstoday.com, renowned sexologist Dr. Alfred Kinsey was the first to document instances of coregasms, n...

At some point, we've all probably come up with some flimsy excuses to avoid a night out, a fancy restaurant dinner, or hanging out with friends. Sometimes it's just a lack of enthusiasm, while other times, it's because our wallets are feeling a little bit light.  We all know that leisure activities can put a serious dent in our finances, and when money gets tight, we can end up in a real financial...

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 in the past on Do You Really Know and the link between good sleep and good health is well established. Many people turn to sleeping pills, but there’s a totally natural alternative which may actually yield better results. What's that? Why is sex so bene...

Imagine a virtual country where women come together to push back against misogyny and celebrate female empowerment. Born on French TikTok, Tanaland has captured the imagination of over 18 million women who envision a world free from patriarchy and judgment.  Tanaland is a fictional, women-centered country that has emerged as a satirical safe haven, inspired partly by the 2023 Barbie film starring...

According to the NHS, around 1 in 3 people in the UK are affected by insomnia, and it’s particularly common in older adults. Many people turn to medication like benzodiazepines in an attempt to address their insomnia. Now these generally help, at least to begin with, but they tend to bring less restorative sleep. And if no other changes are made to daily habits, there’s a good chance the insomnia...

We spend a good deal of our time at work, 35 hours a week or more. It's an integral part of our lives, so if you can it's always best to surround yourself with good colleagues. They make work not only more enjoyable but stimulating.  Their support and collaboration also helps to create a positive environment where teamwork leads to tackling problems and finding solutions. However, when we don't ge...

In July 2023, the White House recognised that the United States was facing a “grave threat” in the form of a highly addictive drug called xylazine, introducing a six-point plan in response.  Dealers mix xylazine into supplies of fentanyl, itself a dangerous drug which kills thousands of Americans each year. The street name for xylazine is “tranq” or “tranq dope”, but it has also been called the “z...

Caring for yourself involves more than just tending to your nails; it's about making sure they're well-groomed, especially those on your toes. Trimming them properly is also key to avoiding painful ingrown nails, but on the other hand going overboard with your clippers can cause problems too. So let’s discuss how to find the right middle ground. According to the East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, t...

Inflation peaked in 2022, but now it’s on a slow and steady decline, reaching 2.5% in June 2024, down from 5.5% in June 2023. Plus, some commercial practices that drove prices up are now better controlled. For example, since July 1, 2024, supermarkets have to label products affected by shrinkflation—where they reduce the quantity but keep the price the same. But even with these changes, you’ve pro...

If you’ve seen more and more people out wearing roll-neck jumpers, vintage blazers or cross-body bags, you could be forgiven for wondering if you’d travelled back to the 19th century without realising. But actually the poetcore aesthetic has been on the rise for some time now, to the extent that at the end of last year Pinterest identified it as one of its “Pinterest Predicts” trends for 2026. Wha...

Have you ever looked at a piece of toast, a cloud or a nearby house and had the impression there’s a face in it, looking right back at you? If you’re like most people, it happens to you on a regular basis, and once you’ve seen the face, you just can’t un-see it! It’s down to a human tendency known as pareidolia. The psychological phenomenon comes from the Greek words para, meaning “beside” or “bey...

Electric toothbrushes come with a head that makes small circular movements automatically. Studies have shown that, for the same amount of brushing time, they can remove up to twice as much plaque as manual toothbrushes. They also help reduce the risk of gingivitis, gum inflammation, and bleeding. However, some electric toothbrushes can be too abrasive on sensitive or weakened teeth, as not all use...