Explore the brain's perception of self, from trillions of cells forming a single identity to how psychedelics, trauma, synchronized movements, and military formations shape our sense of self. Delve into the fluidity of identity, how external factors like drugs and disorders impact it, and how disruptions in brain networks affect our physical self and location. Discover how the brain extends the boundaries of self to include external objects and tools, expanding the concept of identity. Learn how synchronization in activities like religious rituals and group events forms a sense of unity and belonging.

Conflict researcher Jonathan Stray discusses the neuroscience of conflict, societal polarization, social media's role, and strategies for building bridges. Topics include tribalistic brains, political divides, identity influence, empathy, and constructive dialogues.

Can you become conscious inside a dream? Can a researcher convey information to a dreamer, and can the dreamer find some way to answer back? Does 10 seconds inside a dream equal 10 seconds in real life? Could taking a drug inside a dream give you a placebo effect? Can you prompt your brain like a large language model? And if so, what would you pose to your unconscious brain? Join David Eagleman and guest Jonathan Berent to discover the what, why, and how of lucid dreaming.

Discover the mysteries of dreams, from their bizarre nature to their cultural influences. Explore the theories behind dreams, the evolution from black and white to color, and the impact of media on dream experiences. Learn about the potential connection between schizophrenia and dreaming, and the future possibility of decoding dreams with machine learning.

Discover why we spend so much time asleep, the impact of sleep deprivation, circadian rhythms, polyphasic sleep, and the importance of dreaming. Learn about the mysteries of sleep disorders, extreme sleep deprivation, and the fascinating world of dreams and lucid dreaming.

Discussing brain scan lie detection in legal contexts, exploring the science of detecting deception through technology, and unraveling the complexities and ethical concerns surrounding brain-based lie detection methods.

Delve into the brain science behind depression with discussions on measuring medications in city water, reward pathways, and magnetic stimulation. Explore the intricate nature of depression, contributing factors, advancements in brain stimulation treatments, disrupting negative thoughts, and understanding brain function.

Delve into the visual perception mysteries behind car wheels appearing to rotate backwards on TV, inspired by horse motion photography. Uncover how our brains process images and perceive reality gaps. Explore the competitive nature of neurons in the visual cortex and the intricacies of visual perception experiments.

This podcast explores the complex nature of determining death, covering topics such as legal declarations of death, the possibility of being buried alive, and the science of death as a process. It also delves into controversial cases, like the bone marrow transplant refusal, and discusses the future of cryogenics and reviving extinct species. The podcast invites listener engagement and raises thought-provoking questions about the line between life and death.

The podcast discusses mental time travel and its impact on shaping our identity. It explores complex emotions like regret and relief, drawing from examples such as the Olympics and winning silver instead of gold. The concept of mental time travel generating different versions of ourselves is explored, along with the influence of anticipated regret on decision-making. The podcast also features ads for other podcasts that focus on the history of 'Curb Your Enthusiasm' and unique stories in 'Very Special Episodes'.