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- wSerie
- TV Shows
- Mind Field
- Season 0
- Episode 12
Sham Acupuncture
Mind Field - S0 - E12
I go deeper into accessory-assisted placebos by discussing sham acupuncture—and getting stuck with a few needles in the process.
Mind Field: Season 0 - 39 Episode s
0x1 - Grayson Brulte Interview
October 6, 2017
I get candid with Grayson Brulte, autonomous vehicle expert, as we discuss the potential ethical issues associated with driverless cars.
0x2 - Uncut Shaman Song
December 6, 2017
Watch as a Peruvian Shaman performs his icaro—or healing chant—in its entirety, from my Ayahuasca ceremony.
0x3 - A Few Personal Questions
December 6, 2017
With just seven days until my Ayahuasca ceremony, I fill out a recommended personality survey—which becomes a little revealing.
0x4 - Gail Thomas Interview
December 6, 2017
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.
0x5 - Digital Drugs
December 6, 2017
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.
0x6 - Uncut False Confession
December 6, 2017
Expert Melissa Russano elicits a false confession from one of our test subjects in this fascinating, uncut session.
0x7 - False Confession Victim
December 6, 2017
I sit down with Jeffrey Deskovic, a real-life victim of a false confession conviction.
0x8 - The Human Lab Rat
December 6, 2017
Check out this extended cut of my challenging experience as a human lab rat in a giant, 60-foot real-world maze.
0x9 - Hero in the Sky
December 13, 2017
I interview Shirley Dygert, a first time skydiver, and her tandem skydiving instructor, Dave Hartsock, about a treacherous skydive they both miraculously survived.
0x10 - Mr. Xtreme
December 13, 2017
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.
0x11 - Thought Implant
December 20, 2017
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.
0x12 - Sham Acupuncture
December 20, 2017
I go deeper into accessory-assisted placebos by discussing sham acupuncture—and getting stuck with a few needles in the process.
0x13 - Unleashed
December 20, 2017
I attempt to discuss placebos, but my furry co-star keeps stealing the scene.
0x14 - Hearing Test
December 27, 2017
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.
0x15 - The Musical Savant
December 27, 2017
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.
0x16 - Dynamic Duet
December 27, 2017
Jazz pianist Dave O’Brien and his student Derek Paravicini play an impressive piano duet for me.
0x17 - Marcie Bockbrader Interview
January 3, 2018
Research Physiatrist Marcie Bockbrader talks to me about a brain-computer interface project that is helping a paralyzed man move his arm.
0x18 - Sending a Signal
January 3, 2018
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.
0x19 - The Origins of Disgust
December 5, 2018
With the help of Cecile Sarabian, Dr. Andrew MacIntosh and some fake poop, Michael observes levels of disgust among Japanese Macaques.
0x20 - Rock, Paper, Scissors
December 5, 2018
Kyoto University Ph.D. candidate Jie Gao shares her research involving Chimpanzees and the schoolyard game “Rock, Paper, Scissors.”
0x21 - Brains and Language
December 5, 2018
Michael and Dr. Terrence Deacon discuss the connection between language and the physical brain.
0x22 - The Park PSA
December 5, 2018
We edited the fake Los Angeles parks PSA from our Moral Licensing demonstration!
0x23 - Virtual Dilemmas
December 5, 2018
Michael wrestles with two moral dilemmas in VR, designed by researchers Dr. Erick Ramirez and Dr. Scott LaBarge.
0x24 - Coin Toss
December 12, 2018
Michael uses a series of coin flips and a large group of people to demonstrate the “wisdom of the crowd.”
0x25 - Q & A
December 12, 2018
Michael recruits local Vsauce fans for his Brain experiment, and fields questions in a Q&A setting.
0x26 - Memory Lane
December 12, 2018
Michael shares memories with his mom, who has saved everything from his childhood - from report cards to his space camp jacket.
0x27 - Fast Times at Blue Valley High
December 12, 2018
Michael takes Dr. Chris Eliasmith on a tour through his high school, including his forensics team’s wall of fame.
0x28 - Jelly Bean Experiment
December 12, 2018
Michael conducts his own version of the famous “jelly bean jar” experiment and reveals the statistical significance of the results.
0x29 - A Great Performance
December 19, 2018
Michael learns the true story behind Stanford Prison Experiment guard Dave Eshleman’s “John Wayne” moniker.
0x30 - Personal Responsibility
December 19, 2018
Michael learns more about Ben Blum’s cousin Alex and his personal transformation after participating in an armed bank robbery
0x31 - A Death Positive World
December 26, 2018
Michael meets with Caitlin Doughty and learns about a death-positive culture in Indonesia, where relatives keep their dead loved ones in their homes.
0x32 - World Views
December 26, 2018
Michael meets with psychologists Dr. Jeff Greenberg and Dr. Sheldon Solomon to discuss how death affects our world views.
0x33 - A Frozen Pioneer
December 26, 2018
Michael visits Alcor life extension and learns about the first person to ever be frozen using cryonics.
0x34 - A Family Affair
October 26, 2018
Michael visits Alcor life extension and learns about the family behind – and preserved by – cryonics.
0x35 - Philosophizing About Death
December 26, 2018
Michael discusses the philosophy of death, and its changing definition, with Dr. Max More, CEO of Alcor life extension.
0x36 - Barnard's Star
January 2, 2019
Michael and Dr. Douglas Vakoch discuss Barnard’s Star, the closest star to our solar system, within the context of sending messages into space.
0x37 - The Golden Record
January 2, 2019
Michael and Dr. Steven Vance discuss the famous “Golden Record”, which was sent aboard NASA’s Voyager 1 and 2 spacecraft.
0x38 - What Is The Scariest Thing?
October 24, 2019
Stevens talks about fear and if there exists an innate fear of which all people are afraid.
0x39 - I Watch 3 Episodes of Mind Field With Our Experts & Researchers
October 14, 2019
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.