John Elder Robeson volunteered to participate in a pioneering study run by a teaching hospital out of Harvard Medical School. The study used transcranial magnetic stimulation, or TMS, which uses electromagnetic pulses to stimulate nerve cells. John's response was singular and highly unusual in its expression. It had a complex impact on John's life; it changed his understanding of himself in a profound way. You can listen to Free Farm Desire now wherever you get your podcasts.
The story of John Elder Robison is one of Maya’s favorite episodes and it’s also a top choice in our listener favorites series. John is a gifted sound engineer whose rare ability to understand machines propelled him to work with the likes of Kiss and Diana Ross. But the one thing he always felt was lacking was his ability to understand people emotionally. In an effort to see if he could change that, he volunteered to participate in an experimental brain study.
If you enjoyed this episode, Maya suggests you check out this one next: “Life After Escaping Captivity”
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