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PODCAST

Do you really know?

You’ve heard about it, but do you really know it? In 3 minutes, we help you understand the true meaning behind the trends, concepts and acronyms that are making headlines. After listening, you will really know for sure.

education

All Episodes

5:27

What should you do after having unprotected sex?

Do you really know? ·

2025/09/04

It’s happened to most of us at least once. A condom breaks, it turns out the girl forgot to take her pill, or you got carried away and had sex even though you didn’t have any condoms. These things happen, but the aftermath can be anxiety-inducing for a number of reasons. A World Health Organisation report from May 2024 said that sexually transmitted infections like chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis and syphilis in particular are on the rise. For example, the number of new syphilis cases among

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5:29

Can a messy desk help some people work better?

Do you really know? ·

2025/09/03

“If a cluttered desk is a sign of a cluttered mind, of what, then, is an empty desk a sign?”. If you’re obsessed with having a tidy work environment, you may want to consider that that quote comes from none other than Albert Einstein, one of the most renowned geniuses in human history.Given that Mark Twain, Thomas Edison, and even Steve Jobs were also known for working in messy environments, you might be asking yourself whether it’s time to start letting your own desk get a little more

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4:41

What is false memory syndrome?

Do you really know? ·

2025/09/03

Have you ever been sure about a memory only to be told you’ve got it wrong? It’s a common experience: you confidently recall a detail from the past, only for someone to insist it didn’t happen that way. Or maybe you’re convinced you saw something with your own eyes when in reality, you only heard about it repeatedly. These are examples of false memories. They don’t mean you’re lying; in fact, you probably have no idea the memory’s been altered. Why does our brain reshape memories in the first

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4:39

Why is my circadian rhythm so important?

Do you really know? ·

2025/09/03

You’ve no doubt heard references to the existence of body clocks, and it’s no surprise because all of our bodily functions are regulated by the circadian system. To put it simply, our circadian rhythms optimise bodily functions. In this episode, we explain why it is important. They are managed by a master clock known as the circadian pacemaker which is formed of around 20,000 neurons. It’s situated in the brain, more specifically in the hypothalamus. The sleep-wake cycle is an obvious example of a

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5:29

How can I save money on back-to-school supplies?

Do you really know? ·

2025/09/02

The start of any school year is always an emotionally charged time, whether you’re a child or an adult. But as a parent that excitement can quickly turn into stress and anxiety when money is tight. In July 2024, retail marketing consultancy Gekko reported that UK parents were set to shell out an average of £452.40 per child on back-to-school supplies, which combined adds up to a whopping £2.3 billion at a national level. What are the most expensive back-to-school items then? It must be even

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5:30

Could smartphone use be giving you text neck?

Do you really know? ·

2025/09/02

According to data from Finder.com, the average Brit now spends 4 hours and 14 minutes using their smartphone each day. It’s hardly surprising; smartphone use has grown consistently over the last 15 years, to the extent that the devices have become almost like an extension of our arms and hands. Given we tend to hold our phones out in front of us when using them, our heads bow down in quite an unnatural position to look at the screen. And doing so for extended periods can cause posture problems,

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5:27

Could brain dumping help you manage your anxiety?

Do you really know? ·

2025/09/02

Overthinking can be a real cause of anxiety for some people. Have you ever struggled to get to sleep at night with all the thoughts running through your head? Does my new boss like me? Am I even cut out for this job? My kid just brought home a bad report card; are they going through a rough patch, or is it a sign of something more serious? Basically, your mind goes into overdrive and you feel like there’s nothing you can do about it. After all, thinking is natural, isn’t it, so how are you supposed

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4:48

Is intermittent fasting really effective?

Do you really know? ·

2025/09/01

Intermittent fasting has been making waves, especially on social media, where it's often hailed as a miracle fix for weight loss. While it's no silver bullet, fasting can be an effective tool when part of a well-rounded lifestyle tailored to individual needs.Intermittent fasting is a pattern of eating that alternates between periods of fasting, usually 12 to 16 hours, and eating. Staying hydrated is key. The British Dietetic Association notes that this break can help regulate insulin levels and

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5:24

Could hot rodent men be the new male ideal?

Do you really know? ·

2025/09/01

Society’s beauty standards constantly evolve, and sometimes in surprising ways. The terms "rodent man" and "hot rodent man" have gone viral on TikTok, racking up millions of views. And the roots of those terms are pretty literal - they refer to men whose facial features are reminiscent of rodents like mice, rats or hamsters. I know, it might not seem like the most flattering of comparisons to start with, but it seems like rodent men are genuinely becoming the latest kind of sex symbol. What does

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4:32

Should we all be working a 4 day week?

Do you really know? ·

2025/09/01

One of the unsuspected consequences of a global pandemic is a re-evaluation not only of how we work but what work means to us. For some the flexibility was a breath of fresh air, others missed the office and even the commute but with employee happiness more important than ever and people feeling overwhelmed and stressed at work the question of how to achieve a work-life balance has never been more important. One approach is the 4 day week. But how will they keep productivity the same? So how is it

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4:37

What to do when you’re exhausted after your holidays?

Do you really know? ·

2025/08/31

It may come as a surprise, but for some, summer isn’t always a time for rest and recharging. Quite the opposite, in fact. This phenomenon, known as “mid-year crisis” or “summer burnout,” is a type of seasonal depression that occurs during the summer months. According to The Guardian newspaper, symptoms include drowsiness, lack of appetite, decreased libido and energy, and a general feeling of being overworked and tired. These feelings can occur during or after vacations, even after a period of

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5:10

What does it mean to be a seenager?

Do you really know? ·

2025/08/31

You may have heard the term "seenager" being used lately. It's a new buzzword that describes a demographic group that's becoming increasingly important in our society. In simple terms, a seenager is a senior teenager. It refers to people aged 55 and over who are still young at heart and refuse to let their age define them. Seenagers are active, social, and engaged in their communities. They're not content to sit back and watch the world go by – they want to be a part of it. So why are we seeing

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4:56

How can you change your body odour?

Do you really know? ·

2025/08/31

Much like your fingerprints, your body odour is totally unique to you. It varies from person to person based on the chemical makeup of their sweat, which, believe it or not, is actually odourless on its own. Sweat only starts to smell when it comes into contact with bacteria on our skin. Our distinct scent depends not just on this skin microbiome but also on factors like sex, age, genetics, and hormone levels. Our body odour can change at different times in our lives; for instance, during

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4:05

What is sign singing?

Do you really know? ·

2025/08/30

Deafness is known for being an invisible disability, which can lead to exclusion and loneliness. According to a Human Rights Watch article from 2019, 70 million deaf people across the world use sign language to communicate. Well sign singers take that one step further, by adapting song lyrics into sign language for the deaf and hard of hearing. In addition to making entertainment more accessible to deaf people and the hard of hearing, this musical activity singing is also a form of artistic

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5:23

What is the olive theory from Tiktok?

Do you really know? ·

2025/08/30

The olive theory actually started trending on Tiktok as of early 2023, leading younger generations to get familiar with How I Met Your Mother and one of its most popular relationship theories. At the time of recording, the #olivetheory hashtag has accrued over 130M views. Fans of 2000s sitcom How I Met Your Mother can no doubt remember how the main character Ted Mosby is a hopeless romantic, and spends the duration of the series searching for his soulmate. But only the most hardcore of fans will

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5:07

Are women really more emotional than men?

Do you really know? ·

2025/08/30

"Irrational”, “overdramatic”, “hysterical”, “sensitive” - if you’re a woman you have most likely been described using one of these words or similar in the past. That’s because there’s a common belief that women are more emotional than men, which still persists to this day. It can sometimes be framed in a positive way, saying that women show more empathy. But all too often it’s used as a weapon to dismiss what a woman is saying. Is there any scientific basis to such assumptions? What were the

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5:04

What is dissociative identity disorder?

Do you really know? ·

2025/08/29

Still to this day, this psychological condition is most often referred to by its previous name: multiple personality disorder. That’s in particular down to exaggerated representations in popular culture like books, TV or cinema. Some prominent examples are the story of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho or, more recently, Split.Experts have criticised the use of DID as a plot device in such representations, saying they often confuse it with other disorders like psychosis or

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4:18

Are electric toothbrushes really more effective?

Do you really know? ·

2025/08/29

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 the same technology. It also depends on how you use them. Improper brushing can lead to dental

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4:14

Why do we get bad breath in the morning?

Do you really know? ·

2025/08/29

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 of embarrassment. It’s sometimes caused by consuming certain well-known foods, like garlic, onion, cheese, and coffee for example. But it can also be a symptom of an underlying health condition, such as pneumonia, gum recession, kidney disease and gastrointestinal disorders. Do bacteria have anything to do with it? How can we avoid bad breath? In

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5:17

What is environmental racism?

Do you really know? ·

2025/08/28

What is environmental racism? We’ve covered a lot of environmental issues on Do You Really Know? so regular listeners will be well aware of how the climate crisis is affecting the whole planet. But it’s important to also note how these problems don’t affect everyone equally. People in developing countries, particularly in the Southern Hemisphere, are already feeling the impact on their income, physical health and surrounding environment. That’s despite industrialised countries having contributed

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