Do you really know?

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 circadian rhythm. But these cycles help many other systems to function too, like hunger, organ activity, memory consolidation and pain perception. The word “circadian” actually comes from the Latin “circa diem”, meaning “around a day”.

What are the dangers of a disrupted circadian rhythm? What’s the best way to stop circadian rhythms from getting disrupted? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions!

To listen to the last episodes, you can click here:

⁠⁠Do tongue scrapers actually help with bad breath?⁠⁠

⁠⁠Do our brains really tell the whole story about us?⁠⁠

⁠⁠How can heatwaves impact our mental health?⁠⁠

A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance.

First broadcast: 28/10/22
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 place? Does that mean memory-recovery techniques aren’t always reliable? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions!

To listen to the last episodes, you can click here:

⁠Why do children have imaginary friends?⁠

⁠What are umbrella species?⁠

⁠Why do we get travel sick?⁠

A Bababam Originals podcast written and realised by Amber Minogue.
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Shortsightedness or myopia affects long distance vision, preventing people from seeing objects over a few yards away. You may remember we covered the subject on Do You Really Know? a while back and that it has been labelled an epidemic due to ever increasing prevalence worldwide.

It’s estimated that a third of all people suffer from myopia, and the World Health Organisation has suggested that half of all human beings in the world will be shortsighted by 2050, with excessive screen use and a lack of time spent outdoors largely to blame. If you simply can't stand contacts or glasses, laser surgery is another option. It's been in fashion since the turn of the century and according to Optegra, over 15,000 Brits choose to go down that route each year.

Can all shortsighted people get laser eye surgery? How does the laser work? Does it work every time? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions!

To listen to the latest episodes, click here:

⁠⁠What is Sisu?⁠⁠

⁠⁠What does Mercury in retrograde mean?⁠⁠

⁠⁠Does the Mediterranean diet lower risks of dementia?⁠⁠

A Bababam Originals podcast, written and produced by Joseph Chance.

First Broadcast: 2/4/2023
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 abandoning them to go and sleep on the sofa instead.

Evidence suggests that sleeping next to someone does indeed have a pretty significant impact on adults’ sleep, whether that’s a partner, family member or even a pet. Researchers from the University of Arizona looked into the matter, and published the results of their study in Sleep journal in June 2022, under the title Bed Sharing Versus Sleeping Alone Associated with Sleep Health and Mental Health.

Was it a positive impact? And what if my partner snores loudly or wakes up suddenly during the night? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions!

To listen to the last episodes, you can click here:

⁠⁠How long do I have to wait to swim after eating?⁠⁠

⁠⁠What are the world's least safe travel destinations?⁠⁠

⁠⁠Why do we get travel sick?⁠⁠

A Bababam Originals podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance.

First broadcast: 23/09/2023
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

According to a study conducted by the Statistic Brain Research Institute in 2016, 74% of the global population feels uncomfortable speaking in front of an audience. That might be an oral exam at school, a presentation at work, or even making a toast at a birthday party for example.

The symptoms are often the same: sweaty palms, shortness of breath and a racing heart. You may feel like you’re frozen! The level of anxiety can range from light nervousness to total panic. And it’s not always easy to shift this kind of stage fright.

Is there a specific name for this fear? How can you overcome glossophobia then? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions!

To listen to the last episodes, you can click here:

⁠⁠How did Ozempic get so popular?⁠⁠

⁠⁠Will AI steal my job?⁠⁠

⁠⁠What is Pokémon?⁠⁠

A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance.

First Broadcast: 10/8/2023
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices