Specials (2017)
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Episodes 39
Grayson Brulte Interview
I get candid with Grayson Brulte, autonomous vehicle expert, as we discuss the potential ethical issues associated with driverless cars.
Read MoreUncut Shaman Song
Watch as a Peruvian Shaman performs his icaro—or healing chant—in its entirety, from my Ayahuasca ceremony.
Read MoreA Few Personal Questions
With just seven days until my Ayahuasca ceremony, I fill out a recommended personality survey—which becomes a little revealing.
Read MoreGail Thomas Interview
I explore how psychedelics can improve mental health in my interview with cancer survivor Gail Thomas, as we discuss her experience in a study involving psilocybin--or mushrooms.
Read MoreDigital Drugs
Is there a way to experience the effects of psychedelic drugs without having to ingest anything? Watch as I test out a few of these unconventional audio and visual files to see if their claims are true.
Read MoreUncut False Confession
Expert Melissa Russano elicits a false confession from one of our test subjects in this fascinating, uncut session.
Read MoreFalse Confession Victim
I sit down with Jeffrey Deskovic, a real-life victim of a false confession conviction.
Read MoreThe Human Lab Rat
Check out this extended cut of my challenging experience as a human lab rat in a giant, 60-foot real-world maze.
Read MoreHero in the Sky
I interview Shirley Dygert, a first time skydiver, and her tandem skydiving instructor, Dave Hartsock, about a treacherous skydive they both miraculously survived.
Read MoreMr. Xtreme
In San Diego, real-life superheroes walk the streets as part of the Xtreme Justice League. I chat with Mr. Xtreme, one of the league’s most visible members, to discuss what it means to be a hero in today’s society.
Read MoreThought Implant
Check out the final stage of our power of suggestion test, where we try to convince our subjects that a brain scanner can implant a number in their minds.
Read MoreSham Acupuncture
I go deeper into accessory-assisted placebos by discussing sham acupuncture—and getting stuck with a few needles in the process.
Read MoreHearing Test
Let’s do a little test. I’ll play two tones and you see if you’re one of the few people who can notice a difference between them.
Read MoreThe Musical Savant
Derek Paravicini, a blind, autistic pianist and musical savant, sits down with me at the keyboard and shows off his incredible range of musical styles.
Read MoreDynamic Duet
Jazz pianist Dave O’Brien and his student Derek Paravicini play an impressive piano duet for me.
Read MoreMarcie Bockbrader Interview
Research Physiatrist Marcie Bockbrader talks to me about a brain-computer interface project that is helping a paralyzed man move his arm.
Read MoreSending a Signal
I interview principal research statistician David Friedenberg about his role in analyzing all the data collected in a project aimed at helping a paralyzed man move again.
Read MoreThe Origins of Disgust
With the help of Cecile Sarabian, Dr. Andrew MacIntosh and some fake poop, Michael observes levels of disgust among Japanese Macaques.
Read MoreRock, Paper, Scissors
Kyoto University Ph.D. candidate Jie Gao shares her research involving Chimpanzees and the schoolyard game “Rock, Paper, Scissors.”
Read MoreBrains and Language
Michael and Dr. Terrence Deacon discuss the connection between language and the physical brain.
Read MoreThe Park PSA
We edited the fake Los Angeles parks PSA from our Moral Licensing demonstration!
Read MoreVirtual Dilemmas
Michael wrestles with two moral dilemmas in VR, designed by researchers Dr. Erick Ramirez and Dr. Scott LaBarge.
Read MoreMemory Lane
Michael shares memories with his mom, who has saved everything from his childhood - from report cards to his space camp jacket.
Read MoreFast Times at Blue Valley High
Michael takes Dr. Chris Eliasmith on a tour through his high school, including his forensics team’s wall of fame.
Read MoreJelly Bean Experiment
Michael conducts his own version of the famous “jelly bean jar” experiment and reveals the statistical significance of the results.
Read MoreA Great Performance
Michael learns the true story behind Stanford Prison Experiment guard Dave Eshleman’s “John Wayne” moniker.
Read MorePersonal Responsibility
Michael learns more about Ben Blum’s cousin Alex and his personal transformation after participating in an armed bank robbery
Read MoreA Death Positive World
Michael meets with Caitlin Doughty and learns about a death-positive culture in Indonesia, where relatives keep their dead loved ones in their homes.
Read MoreWorld Views
Michael meets with psychologists Dr. Jeff Greenberg and Dr. Sheldon Solomon to discuss how death affects our world views.
Read MoreA Frozen Pioneer
Michael visits Alcor life extension and learns about the first person to ever be frozen using cryonics.
Read MoreA Family Affair
Michael visits Alcor life extension and learns about the family behind – and preserved by – cryonics.
Read MorePhilosophizing About Death
Michael discusses the philosophy of death, and its changing definition, with Dr. Max More, CEO of Alcor life extension.
Read MoreBarnard's Star
Michael and Dr. Douglas Vakoch discuss Barnard’s Star, the closest star to our solar system, within the context of sending messages into space.
Read MoreThe Golden Record
Michael and Dr. Steven Vance discuss the famous “Golden Record”, which was sent aboard NASA’s Voyager 1 and 2 spacecraft.
Read MoreWhat Is The Scariest Thing?
Stevens talks about fear and if there exists an innate fear of which all people are afraid.
Read MoreI Watch 3 Episodes of Mind Field With Our Experts & Researchers
I asked a group of colleagues who worked with me on the series to sit down at Vsauce HQ and watch through three entire episodes. We go behind the scenes, elaborate on topics in the episodes, and dig in to what impact working on Mind Field has had on their current research.
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