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 Twitter. The researchers behind the study also identified an increase in birth rates in late September, in other words nine months after Christmas of the previous year.

So the evidence is there: for many of us, sexual desire increases at Christmas time. The study was called “Human Sexual Cycles are Driven by Culture and Match Collective Moods”, suggesting there’s something about our mood during the holiday season. And it’s not just Christmas.

What’s the science behind all that then? Does it apply to other culture holidays? Christmas can also be a stressful period though, can’t it? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions!

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

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A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance.

In partnership with upday UK.

First broadcast: 21/12/2022

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