Mind Field

1Grayson Brulte Interview

3 minOct 6, 2017

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

2Uncut Shaman Song

17 minDec 6, 2017

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

3A Few Personal Questions

2 minDec 6, 2017

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

4Gail Thomas Interview

6 minDec 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.

5Digital Drugs

3 minDec 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.

6Uncut False Confession

14 minDec 6, 2017

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

7False Confession Victim

5 minDec 6, 2017

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

8The Human Lab Rat

6 minDec 6, 2017

Check out this extended cut of my challenging experience as a human lab rat in a giant, 60-foot real-world maze.

9Hero in the Sky

3 minDec 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.

10Mr. Xtreme

2 minDec 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.

11Thought Implant

5 minDec 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.

12Sham Acupuncture

1 minDec 20, 2017

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

13Unleashed

1 minDec 20, 2017

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

14Hearing Test

1 minDec 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.

15The Musical Savant

4 minDec 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.

16Dynamic Duet

4 minDec 27, 2017

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

17Marcie Bockbrader Interview

1 minJan 3, 2018

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

18Sending a Signal

5 minJan 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.

19The Origins of Disgust

13 minDec 5, 2018

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

20Rock, Paper, Scissors

4 minDec 5, 2018

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

21Brains and Language

3 minDec 5, 2018

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

22The Park PSA

1 minDec 5, 2018

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

23Virtual Dilemmas

7 minDec 5, 2018

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

24Coin Toss

3 minDec 12, 2018

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

25Q & A

3 minDec 12, 2018

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

26Memory Lane

2 minDec 12, 2018

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

27Fast Times at Blue Valley High

1 minDec 12, 2018

Michael takes Dr. Chris Eliasmith on a tour through his high school, including his forensics team’s wall of fame.

28Jelly Bean Experiment

2 minDec 12, 2018

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

29A Great Performance

3 minDec 19, 2018

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

30Personal Responsibility

2 minDec 19, 2018

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

31A Death Positive World

2 minDec 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.

32World Views

3 minDec 26, 2018

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

33A Frozen Pioneer

2 minDec 26, 2018

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

34A Family Affair

2 minOct 26, 2018

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

35Philosophizing About Death

6 minDec 26, 2018

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

36Barnard's Star

3 minJan 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.

37The Golden Record

3 minJan 2, 2019

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

38What Is The Scariest Thing?

30 minOct 24, 2019

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

39I Watch 3 Episodes of Mind Field With Our Experts & Researchers

30 minOct 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.