Mind Field

Specials

39 episodes 4 seasons

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S00E01 Aired October 06, 2017

Grayson Brulte Interview

I get candid with Grayson Brulte, autonomous vehicle expert, as we discuss the potential ethical issues associated with driverless cars.

S00E02 Aired December 06, 2017

Uncut Shaman Song

Watch as a Peruvian Shaman performs his icaro—or healing chant—in its entirety, from my Ayahuasca ceremony.

S00E03 Aired December 06, 2017

A Few Personal Questions

With just seven days until my Ayahuasca ceremony, I fill out a recommended personality survey—which becomes a little revealing.

S00E04 Aired December 06, 2017

Gail 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.

S00E05 Aired December 06, 2017

Digital 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.

S00E06 Aired December 06, 2017

Uncut False Confession

Expert Melissa Russano elicits a false confession from one of our test subjects in this fascinating, uncut session.

S00E07 Aired December 06, 2017

False Confession Victim

I sit down with Jeffrey Deskovic, a real-life victim of a false confession conviction.

S00E08 Aired December 06, 2017

The 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.

S00E09 Aired December 13, 2017

Hero 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.

S00E10 Aired December 13, 2017

Mr. 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.

S00E11 Aired December 20, 2017

Thought 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.

S00E12 Aired December 20, 2017

Sham Acupuncture

I go deeper into accessory-assisted placebos by discussing sham acupuncture—and getting stuck with a few needles in the process.

S00E13 Aired December 20, 2017

Unleashed

I attempt to discuss placebos, but my furry co-star keeps stealing the scene.

S00E14 Aired December 27, 2017

Hearing 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.

S00E15 Aired December 27, 2017

The 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.

S00E16 Aired December 27, 2017

Dynamic Duet

Jazz pianist Dave O’Brien and his student Derek Paravicini play an impressive piano duet for me.

S00E17 Aired January 03, 2018

Marcie Bockbrader Interview

Research Physiatrist Marcie Bockbrader talks to me about a brain-computer interface project that is helping a paralyzed man move his arm.

S00E18 Aired January 03, 2018

Sending 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.

S00E19 Aired December 05, 2018

The Origins of Disgust

With the help of Cecile Sarabian, Dr. Andrew MacIntosh and some fake poop, Michael observes levels of disgust among Japanese Macaques.

S00E20 Aired December 05, 2018

Rock, Paper, Scissors

Kyoto University Ph.D. candidate Jie Gao shares her research involving Chimpanzees and the schoolyard game “Rock, Paper, Scissors.”

S00E21 Aired December 05, 2018

Brains and Language

Michael and Dr. Terrence Deacon discuss the connection between language and the physical brain.

S00E22 Aired December 05, 2018

The Park PSA

We edited the fake Los Angeles parks PSA from our Moral Licensing demonstration!

S00E23 Aired December 05, 2018

Virtual Dilemmas

Michael wrestles with two moral dilemmas in VR, designed by researchers Dr. Erick Ramirez and Dr. Scott LaBarge.

S00E24 Aired December 12, 2018

Coin Toss

Michael uses a series of coin flips and a large group of people to demonstrate the “wisdom of the crowd.”

S00E25 Aired December 12, 2018

Q & A

Michael recruits local Vsauce fans for his Brain experiment, and fields questions in a Q&A setting.

S00E26 Aired December 12, 2018

Memory Lane

Michael shares memories with his mom, who has saved everything from his childhood - from report cards to his space camp jacket.

S00E27 Aired December 12, 2018

Fast 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.

S00E28 Aired December 12, 2018

Jelly Bean Experiment

Michael conducts his own version of the famous “jelly bean jar” experiment and reveals the statistical significance of the results.

S00E29 Aired December 19, 2018

A Great Performance

Michael learns the true story behind Stanford Prison Experiment guard Dave Eshleman’s “John Wayne” moniker.

S00E30 Aired December 19, 2018

Personal Responsibility

Michael learns more about Ben Blum’s cousin Alex and his personal transformation after participating in an armed bank robbery

S00E31 Aired December 26, 2018

A 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.

S00E32 Aired December 26, 2018

World Views

Michael meets with psychologists Dr. Jeff Greenberg and Dr. Sheldon Solomon to discuss how death affects our world views.

S00E33 Aired December 26, 2018

A Frozen Pioneer

Michael visits Alcor life extension and learns about the first person to ever be frozen using cryonics.

S00E34 Aired October 26, 2018

A Family Affair

Michael visits Alcor life extension and learns about the family behind – and preserved by – cryonics.

S00E35 Aired December 26, 2018

Philosophizing About Death

Michael discusses the philosophy of death, and its changing definition, with Dr. Max More, CEO of Alcor life extension.

S00E36 Aired January 02, 2019

Barnard'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.

S00E37 Aired January 02, 2019

The Golden Record

Michael and Dr. Steven Vance discuss the famous “Golden Record”, which was sent aboard NASA’s Voyager 1 and 2 spacecraft.

S00E38 Aired October 24, 2019

What Is The Scariest Thing?

Stevens talks about fear and if there exists an innate fear of which all people are afraid.

S00E39 Aired October 14, 2019

I 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.