Daniel

Teens are sleeping less than ever, and the culprit is often glowing right in their hands. With smartphones, tablets, and laptops now a regular part of evening routines, researchers are sounding the alarm on how screen time directly affects teenage sleep. It’s not just about staying up late scrolling—it’s about real biological changes in the body’s sleep chemistry.

Melatonin Suppression and Delayed Sleep Onset

A study in Lighting Research & Technology found that even one hour of evening screen exposure reduces melatonin production in teens by 23%. After two hours, suppression rises to 38%. Melatonin is the hormone responsible for signaling the brain when it’s time to sleep, and when its production is delayed, so is the natural urge to wind down.

This effect is particularly strong in teens, who already have a delayed circadian rhythm due to puberty. Add artificial light exposure on top of that, and the results can be long stretches of wakefulness, late bedtimes, and chronic sleep deficits. These aren’t just occasional late nights—many teens are routinely getting far less sleep than they need.

How Screen Time Impacts Daily Functioning

According to Pew Research Center, 95% of U.S. teens own a smartphone, and a large percentage report using their devices for more than five hours a day. A sizable chunk of that use continues into the night, long after homework is finished. That much exposure to screens doesn’t just delay sleep—it cuts into the total amount of rest they get, especially on school nights.

In a randomized controlled trial published in Sleep, teens who limited screen use after 9 PM fell asleep earlier, slept longer, and showed improved attention during the day. The findings highlight that the issue isn’t just behavioral—it’s physiological. Reducing screen time before bed doesn’t just shift habits; it improves how the brain functions during waking hours.

When thinking about adolescent health, the impact of screen time on sleep deserves more serious attention. Not because of fear or tech shaming, but because the science is increasingly clear: screens are shaping when and how teens sleep—and not for the better

Credit

• Pew Research Center:
• https://www.pewresearch.org/
• Figueiro, M., & Overington, D. (2016). Lighting Research & Technology, 48(8), 966–975.
• Perrault, A. A. et al. (2019). Sleep, 42(9), zsz125.

Once whispered about in hushed tones, oral sex has stepped out of the taboo shadows—and science is catching up with what many already know. It’s not just about physical pleasure. Across several studies, oral sex has been linked to improved emotional intimacy, greater relationship satisfaction, and even measurable health perks.

Whether it’s part of a long-term couple’s routine or a more casual encounter, oral sex can provide more than a fleeting high. It’s become a legitimate area of study in psychology, biology, and even evolutionary science. And the results? Surprisingly affirming.

Oral Sex May Boost Relationship Satisfaction

For many women, receiving oral sex is about more than orgasm—it’s about feeling desired. Research shows that women who receive oral sex regularly report higher relationship satisfaction and emotional closeness. That’s no coincidence. It is often interpreted as a sign of attentiveness, generosity, and effort in bed, which can translate to deeper feelings of connection.

Interestingly, studies also show that men with more physically attractive partners tend to give oral sex more frequently. While that might sound superficial, it points to a dynamic where effort and desire are closely linked—partners invest in each other when they feel connected, sexually and emotionally.

And it’s not just humans. Over 300 animal species—from bats to bonobos—engage in oral sex as a form of bonding, conflict resolution, or just for the joy of it. Evolution may have baked pleasure into these acts for a reason.

Semen Contains Mood-Boosting Chemicals

There’s another layer to this: what happens during and after. A lesser-known fact is that semen contains compounds like serotonin, oxytocin, and cortisol—chemicals associated with mood regulation. One study even found that women exposed to semen during sex reported lower levels of depression symptoms. While more research is needed to understand all the mechanics, the findings are compelling.

For many women, oral sex also brings a sense of empowerment and control. It’s a form of intimacy that often bypasses some of the emotional baggage linked to penetrative sex, with less guilt and more emphasis on mutual pleasure. In this context, it’s not just an act—it’s a statement.

Binge drinking isn’t just about partying too hard—it’s a real health risk with short- and long-term consequences that often go unnoticed until damage is already done. Defined by the CDC as four drinks for women or five for men within two hours, it’s far more common than many think. But there’s a lesser-known version that takes things even further: high-intensity drinking, which means consuming twice that amount in one sitting. Keep on reading to discover more about it and the risks that come with it.

What age group is binge drinking the most?

This kind of alcohol use isn’t limited to college students or wild weekends. Research shows it’s increasing among adults in their 30s and even 40s. While it might seem like “just a heavy night,” the impact on your body and brain is serious. In the moment, it slows reflexes, clouds judgment, and impairs memory. Blackouts aren’t just embarrassing—they’re signs of disrupted brain function. And when it goes too far, alcohol poisoning becomes a real threat.

Binge Drinking Can Do More Than Ruin Your Night

One night of binge drinking can mess with your balance, gut health, and sleep. However, repeated episodes have a cumulative effect. Over time, your liver takes a beating, your heart gets stressed, and your nerves start to feel the strain. Add in higher risks for several cancers and mental health issues, and the cost becomes clear. Even digestion suffers—alcohol can damage the stomach lining and disrupt your microbiome, weakening your immune system.

Then there’s high-intensity drinking. If binge drinking is risky, doubling the amount sends those risks into overdrive. Studies show that this behavior increases the chance of emergency room visits, injury, and long-term organ damage. Not everyone who drinks like this develops alcohol use disorder (AUD), but the odds jump significantly.

There’s Help—Without the Judgment

If you’ve ever wondered whether your drinking habits are worth a second look, you’re not alone—and you’re not without options. Experts recommend starting with a conversation. That could mean talking to a doctor or therapist or reaching out to support groups. Medications exist to reduce cravings, and therapy can help address the patterns behind drinking. You don’t have to hit rock bottom to get support.

Binge drinking might be common, but it’s far from harmless. Knowing the signs, understanding the risks, and taking steps—big or small—can put you back in control.

Featured Image: Laker/Pexel

Saudi Arabia is aiming higher than ever—literally. A new proposal suggests the kingdom is considering a skyscraper so tall it would dwarf every existing structure on Earth. The ambitious plan outlines a 2-kilometer tower, more than twice the height of Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, which currently holds the title of the world’s tallest building. If realized, this monumental structure would redefine the limits of architecture and engineering.

The tower is expected to be built near Riyadh in a newly planned district reportedly called the “North Pole.” The project is in its early stages, with British firm Foster + Partners attached to the design and a proposed budget of $5 billion. There’s no official timeline yet, but the idea alone has already made headlines across the globe.

The Skyscraper That Could Break Physics

Building a structure this tall isn’t just about making it taller than anything else—it’s about overcoming forces that don’t care how visionary your architecture is. Engineers would have to battle enormous wind pressure, potential seismic threats, and the sheer weight of the materials required for something of this magnitude.

Traditionally, the higher a tower goes, the more it narrows. That’s a useful tactic for managing wind load and structural integrity. But going up two kilometers presents challenges the world’s never faced before. Materials would need to be stronger yet lighter, elevators would have to defy current speed and efficiency standards, and basic issues like air pressure and water pumping become major design puzzles.

A Bold Addition to Saudi Arabia’s Mega-Project Era

Saudi Arabia’s skyline has already been shifting rapidly thanks to projects like NEOM’s The Line, a futuristic linear city, and the Mukaab, a cube-shaped megastructure planned in Riyadh. These projects are part of the country’s broader push to diversify its economy and establish itself as a global hub for design, tourism, and innovation.

The proposed 2-kilometer skyscraper would be the crown jewel of that transformation. It’s a signal that Saudi Arabia doesn’t just want to join the club of record-breaking cities—it wants to rewrite the rules entirely.