EPISODE FOUR OF SIX
10 Things to Know About… the Brain, RTÉ One, November 23rd at 8.30pm
As technology develops, we are learning more and more about how our brain works. 10 Things… presenter Jonathan McCrea undergoes an MRI scan to reveal the structures and activity going on in his brain and 2FM DJ Rick O’Shea discusses what it’s like to live with epilepsy and his efforts to raise awareness of the condition.
We meet with consultant neuropathologist Professor Michael Farrell at Ireland’s “brain bank” and learn how the country’s researchers are working to tackle neurological conditions.
And in Weird Science, Fergus McAuliffe tells us what scientists have learned from studying a remote tribe in Papua New Guinea who eat human brains. There are some dangers but also bizarre benefits.
Interesting facts:
- The brain releases so much dopamine during an orgasm that a brain scan resembles that of someone on heroin.
- You have approximately 70,000 thoughts per day, although many will be the same unconscious ones looping round and round on your grooved cranial highway.
- Epileptic seizures were once thought to be caused by witchcraft, insanity, possession by demons, feeble-mindedness, even masturbation!
- “Sphenopalatine ganglioneuralgia” is the scientific term for brain freeze
Series Overview
Did you know that the hydrochloric acid in your stomach is strong enough to dissolve razor blades?
Or that the brain releases so much dopamine during an orgasm that a brain scan resembles that of someone on heroin?
There’s a whole world of fascinating subjects to explore and in this six-part series Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin, Kathriona Devereux and Jonathan McCrea face up to their fears, undergo a series of stress tests, challenge themselves to push through the pain barrier, and examine the finer workings of the brain – all in the name of science!
In a brave attempt to investigate the underlying reasons behind our phobias, Aoibhinn gets up close and personal with some (rather large!) spiders to better understand and perhaps even overcome her arachnophobia. Jonathan wilfully submits himself for some ‘water-boarding’ and uncovers some disturbing truths about the neuroscience of torture.
While world-leading researchers in Cork take on the seemingly unflappable Kathriona to reveal some fascinating connections between our mood… and our food! And in a battle of the sexes, will it be Jonathan or Aoibhinn who comes out on top of a pain threshold test?