Severance’s Consulting Neurosurgeon Explains the Science behind the Show’s Brain Procedure
Mar 21, 2025
auto_awesome
In a fascinating conversation with Vijay Agarwal, Chief of the Skull-Base Tumor Center at Montefiore Einstein, the podcast explores the unsettling premise of brain implants in Severance. Agarwal discusses how real neuroscience influenced the show's depiction of identity separation. He explains Transmagnetic Stimulation and its potential risks, along with ethical dilemmas surrounding technological interventions in brain function. The dialogue also touches on the cultural impact of the show and how it prompts viewers and professionals alike to rethink work-life balance.
The show's premise of a brain implant to separate personal and work lives is grounded in real neuroscience concepts, emphasizing potential future advancements in neurosurgery.
The challenges of reintegration depicted in Severance reflect real neurological risks, raising ethical questions about control and consequences of consciousness manipulation.
Deep dives
The Concept of Severance
The show Severance revolves around the premise that employees at Lumen Industries can have a microchip implanted in their brains to separate their work lives from their personal lives. This intriguing idea sparks discussions about identity and the implications of severing one's professional persona from their personal existence. The involvement of neurosurgeon Vijay Agarwal adds a layer of authenticity, as he consulted on the actual scientific aspects of the severance procedure to ensure its believability. This meticulous attention to detail highlights the show's commitment to blending compelling storytelling with real scientific principles.
Neuroscience Behind the Procedure
Agarwal explains that the severance procedure incorporates genuine scientific concepts, particularly from the field of neurosurgery. For example, procedures currently exist that involve implanting electrodes in the brain to alleviate symptoms related to conditions like Parkinson's disease or depression, demonstrating the feasibility of similar surgeries in the future. Drawing parallels to real-world advancements in neuroscience, such as the use of brain stimulation to change emotions or functions, showcases how close society is to achieving what's depicted in the show. This connection to contemporary medical practices reinforces the show's premise as not purely fictional but rooted in possible future developments.
Challenges of Reintegration
The second season of Severance delves into the complexities of reintegration, where characters who were severed must reconcile their fragmented consciousness. The portrayal of this process, especially in moments where characters experience seizures, highlights the potential risks associated with altering brain functions. Agarwal discusses how current scientific techniques, like Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), could influence the portrayal of reintegration, demonstrating that the challenges faced by characters mirror real-world neurological risks. These insights provoke ethical considerations regarding who controls such technology and the consequences of manipulating consciousness.
What if you could completely separate your work and personal life—with the help of a brain implant? That’s the unsettling premise of Severance, the hit Apple TV+ show that just wrapped its second season. To make the science fiction feel as real as possible, the creators brought in an actual neurosurgeon, Vijay Agarwal, chief of the Skull-Base Tumor Center at Montefiore Einstein, as a consultant for the show. Host Rachel Feltman met with Agarwal to break down the real neuroscience behind Severance—and whether a procedure like the one it depicts could ever exist.
Mild spoilers ahead! We recommend you at least watch through episode seven of season two before you listen.
Email us at sciencequickly@sciam.com if you have any questions, comments or ideas for stories we should cover!
Discover something new everyday: subscribe to Scientific American and sign up for our daily newsletter.
Science Quickly is produced by Rachel Feltman, Fonda Mwangi, Kelso Harper, Naeem Amarsy and Jeff DelViscio. This episode was edited by Alex Sugiura. Shayna Posses and Aaron Shattuck fact-check our show. Our theme music was composed by Dominic Smith.