David Eagleman

What is the psychology behind how the human brain constructs reality? When David Eagleman fell twelve feet off a roof as a child, the entire fall lasted just 0.6 seconds, yet his brain made it feel like an eternity. That moment sparked a lifelong curiosity about the brain and how it constructs perception, ultimately leading him to Stanford and a career in neuroscience. In this episode, David reveals the science of time perception, brain plasticity, and sensory substitution, and why the human brain is far more powerful and expandable than you ever imagined. In this episode, Hala and David will discuss: (00:00) Introduction (01:26) A Childhood Fall That Revealed Time Perception (06:46) How the Brain Constructs Reality (10:33) Hidden Senses the Human Brain Is Missing (16:46) What Is Brain Plasticity and Livewiring? (27:50) Sensory Substitution and Expanding Human Senses (36:29) The Psychology Behind Why Humans Dream (42:02) Where Science Meets Spirituality and Religion (48:47) The Future of Livewired Technology (51:39) Why Human Intelligence Still Outsmarts AI David Eagleman is a neuroscientist at Stanford University, a bestselling author, and the founder of Neosensory and BrainCheck. He is the writer and presenter of the international PBS series The Brain with David Eagleman and The Creative Brain on Netflix. His bestselling book Livewired reveals how the brain adapts in real time, reshaping our understanding of perception, consciousness, and human psychology. Sponsored By: Indeed - Get a $75 sponsored job credit to boost your job's visibility at Indeed.com/profiting Shopify - Start your $1/month trial at Shopify.com/profiting . Spectrum Business - Keep your business connected seamlessly with fast, reliable Internet, Phone, TV, and Mobile services. Visit https://spectrum.com/Business to learn more. Northwest Registered Agent - Build your brand and get your complete business identity in just 10 clicks and 10 minutes at northwestregisteredagent.com/paidyap Framer - Publish beautiful and production-ready websites. Go to Framer.com/profiting and get 30% off their Framer Pro annual plan. Quo - Run your business communications the smart way. Try Quo for free, plus get 20% off your first 6 months when you go to quo.com/profiting Experian - Manage and cancel your unwanted subscriptions and reduce your bills. Get started now with the Experian App and let your Big Financial Friend do the work for you. See experian.com for details. Bitdefender - Start protecting your business today with Bitdefender Ultimate Small Business Security. Get 30% off your plan at bitdefender.com/profiting Intuit - Start paying bills the smart way, not the hard way. Learn more at QuickBooks.com/billpay Resources Mentioned: David’s Book, Livewired : bit.ly/Livewired David’s Website: eagleman.com Active Deals - youngandprofiting.com/deals Key YAP Links Reviews -<a href="http://ratethis

Description: Neuroscientist and bestselling author David Eagleman on the brain science behind creativity, what actually causes writer's block, and how pre-commitment strategies like the Ulysses contract can help writers finish what they start. You'll learn: Why creativity isn't a rare gift, and what's actually happening in every brain when it absorbs and remixes the world around it. The three core algorithms behind creative thinking, and how to use them deliberately when you're stuck on a project. What's really going on in the brain when a writer feels blocked, and why the fix might be simpler than you think. A compelling case against the "shower idea" myth, and why sitting down to work may be where your best thinking actually happens. How a concept from ancient Greek literature can help you set up contracts with your future self to finish what you start. A surprising writing routine behind roughly a million published words, and why it happens at the same chain restaurant every time. A method for juggling multiple creative projects without losing momentum on any of them. Why switching genres and feeling like a beginner is one of the best things you can do for your brain as a writer. How to think about the difference between fiction and nonfiction when it comes to what AI can and can't replace. The moment at age 13 that shaped an entire career in science communication, and what it reveals about writing for an audience. Resources & Links: 📄 Interview Transcript David’s Website Inner Cosmos The Creative Brain Cosmos by Carl Sagan The Runaway Species Ulysses contract Sum David’s Substack About David Eagleman: David Eagleman is a neuroscientist at Stanford University and an internationally bestselling author. He is co-founder of two venture-backed companies, Neosensory and BrainCheck, and he also directs the Center for Science and Law, a national non-profit institute. He is best known for his work on sensory substitution, time perception, brain plasticity, synesthesia, and neurolaw. His books include Incognito: The Secret Lives of the Brain, Sum: Forty Tales from the Afterlives, The Runaway Species, and Livewired. He is the writer and presenter of the Emmy-nominated PBS series The Brain with David Eagleman and hosts the podcast Inner Cosmos with David Eagleman. For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com. For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com. * FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALON Twitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalon Instagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalon Facebook: <a href="http://facebook.c

When eight-year-old David Eagleman fell from a roof, his brain created the illusion that time slowed down during the 0.6-second fall. This accident sparked his lifelong fascination with human psychology and how the brain constructs our perception of time and reality, ultimately shaping his path as a leading neuroscientist. In this episode, David explores the concepts of time perception, sensory substitution, and livewiring, revealing how the brain rewires itself, why perception is an illusion, and whether humans could one day unlock a sixth or seventh sense. In this episode, Hala and David will discuss: (00:00) Introduction (01:26) Childhood Fall and Slowed Time Perception (06:46) Exploring the Concept of Umwelt (10:33) Animal Senses and Human Nature Limitations (16:46) Brain Plasticity vs. Livewiring Explained (27:50) Sensory Substitution and the Future of Senses (36:29) The Psychology of Why We Dream (42:02) The Intersection Between Science and Religion (48:47) The Future of Livewired Technology (51:39) AI vs. Livewired Systems and Human Potential David Eagleman is a neuroscientist at Stanford University, a bestselling author, and the founder of Neosensory and BrainCheck. He is the writer and presenter of the international PBS series The Brain with David Eagleman and The Creative Brain on Netflix. His bestselling book Livewired reveals how the brain adapts in real time, reshaping our understanding of perception, consciousness, and human psychology. Sponsored By: Airbnb - Find yourself a cohost at airbnb.com/host Indeed - Get a $75 sponsored job credit to boost your job's visibility at Indeed.com/PROFITING Shopify - Start your $1/month trial at Shopify.com/profiting . Mercury - Streamline your banking and finances in one place. Learn more at mercury.com/profiting Open Phone - Get 20% off your first 6 months at OpenPhone.com/profiting . DeleteMe - Remove your personal data online. Get 20% off DeleteMe consumer plans at to joindeleteme.com/profiting SKIMS - Shop SKIMS Fits Everybody collection at SKIMS.com Policy Genius - Secure your family’s future with Policygenius. Head to policygenius.com/profiting Masterclass - Get an additional 15% off any annual membership at https://masterclass.com/profiting BitDefender - Save 30% on your subscription at bitdefender.com/profiting Resources Mentioned: David’s Book, Livewired : bit.ly/Livewired David’s Website: eagleman.com Active Deals - youngandprofiting.com/deals Key YAP Links Reviews - ratethispodcast.com/yap YouTube - youtube.com/c/YoungandProfiting LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/htaha/ Ins

➡️ Like The Podcast? Leave A Rating: https://ratethispodcast.com/successstory In this “Lessons” episode, Stanford neuroscientist David Eagleman shares how challenging the brain with novelty—like learning unfamiliar skills—builds new neural pathways that can delay dementia more effectively than diet or supplements. He explains why mental and social engagement, not comfort or routine, protects long-term brain health, citing studies showing how cognitively active people maintain sharpness despite physical signs of degeneration. Eagleman also introduces the idea of “Ulysses contracts”—clever psychological tricks to help us resist short-term temptations by making decisions in advance when we’re thinking clearly. ➡️ Show Links https://successstorypodcast.com YouTube: https://youtu.be/SgxxAd-hhHA Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/david-eagleman-brain-expert-entrepreneur-the-science/id1484783544 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/72g6g48kiKPRWTTc7AFCoC ➡️ Watch the Podcast on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/scottdclary

Transcript Today we celebrate neuroscientist and sensory substitution pioneer Dr. David Eagleman and blind Jewish-Algerian singer and musician Reinette L'Oranaise. ---- Hello and welcome to the Disability Daily Podcast! I’m your host, Katie, and over the past couple years, I’ve worked on a 365-day calendar that recognizes different folks and key moments in disability history each day of the year. I’m turning this into a quick daily podcast, and I’m excited to share this with you! If you’re committed to learning more about disability and accessibility, please subscribe to the podcast on Podbean, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify and share with friends. See the Disability Daily Calendar (work on it is always ongoing!) --- Learn more: Podcast – David Eagleman The Brain with David Eagleman David Eagleman: Can we create new senses for humans? | TED Talk The Blind Luminary of Arabo-Andalusian Music - World Jewish Congress Birth of Sultana Daoud | Jewish Women's Archive Reinette l'Oranaise - Nhabek Nhabek [Jewish-Arab music from Algeria] Song: "It's Kinda Beautiful" by Water Mirrors from Epidemic Sound

David Eagleman explains why counterfeiting works, how our empathy fails, why mind reading remains elusive, and if we'll ever upload our minds to computers. What We Discuss with David Eagleman: Dr. David Eagleman worked with the European Central Bank on anti-counterfeiting measures, and his research revealed that most people don't notice security features on bills. His key recommendation was to use faces rather than buildings for watermarks since our brains have specialized neural real estate for recognizing faces, making counterfeit detection easier. Research shows our brains have less empathy for people we consider part of our "outgroup." FMRI studies demonstrated that even simple one-word labels (like religious affiliations) can trigger this differential response in the brain's pain matrix when witnessing someone experiencing pain. True mind reading via brain scanning is likely impossible in our lifetime. While we can decode basic sensory input (like visual or auditory cortex activity), actual thoughts involve complex personal experiences, memories, and creative combinations that would be impossible to capture without knowing someone's entire life history. Uploading a human brain to digital form presents enormous technical challenges and philosophical questions. The computational requirements exceed our current global capacity, and questions about identity (is the upload "you" if your physical body dies?) remain unresolved. Brain plasticity would also need to be captured for the upload to remain dynamic. Understanding our brain's natural tendency toward ingroup/outgroup thinking gives us the opportunity to consciously overcome these biases. By recognizing our shared humanity and finding common interests with those different from us, we can build bridges across divides and develop greater empathy for all people. This awareness can help us make more compassionate choices in our daily interactions. And much more... Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/1123 And if you're still game to support us, please leave a review here — even one sentence helps! Consider including your Twitter handle so we can thank you personally! This Episode Is Brought To You By Our Fine Sponsors: jordanharbinger.com/deals Sign up for Six-Minute Networking — our free networking and relationship development mini course — at jordanharbinger.com/course ! Subscribe to our once-a-week Wee Bit Wiser newsletter today and start filling your Wednesdays with wisdom! Do you even Reddit, bro? Join us at r/JordanHarbinger !

Dr. Jordan B. Peterson sits down with neuroscientist, bestselling author, and PBS presenter Dr. David Eagleman. They discuss brain plasticity, how perception works, whether free will exists (and if it’s superordinate), how willingness to engage with higher entropy indicates sophistication of thought, and the preconditions for forming a Ulysses contract. Dr. David Eagleman is a neuroscientist at Stanford University and an international bestselling author. He is co-founder of two venture-backed companies, Neosensory and BrainCheck, and he also directs the Center for Science and Law, a national nonprofit institute. He is best known for his work on sensory substitution, time perception, brain plasticity, synesthesia, and neurolaw. He is the writer and presenter of the international PBS series, “The Brain with David Eagleman,” and the author of the companion book, “The Brain: The Story of You.” He is also the writer and presenter of “The Creative Brain” on Netflix. This episode was filmed on January 13th, 2025. | Links | For David Eagleman: On X https://x.com/davideagleman On Instagram https://www.instagram.com/davideagleman/?hl=en Website https://eagleman.com/ Read his most recent book: “Livewired: The Inside Story of the Ever-Changing Brain” https://a.co/d/cBY6tGx

David Eagleman is a neuroscientist at Stanford University and a bestselling author. His neuroscience research spans the areas of brain plasticity, sensory substitution, human perception, synesthesia, and beyond. As the co-director of the Center for Science & Law, he works at the intersection of neuroscience and the legal system, using new discoveries in neuroscience to inform lawmaking. Eagleman also applies his research findings through ventures including Neosensory, a company he co-founded to develop sensory substitution devices. Known for making complex science accessible, he is the writer and presenter of the Emmy-nominated PBS series The Brain with David Eagleman, and he now shares valuable insights on his podcast, Inner Cosmos. A prolific author, his books include Incognito, Sum, and his latest release, Livewired. David Eagleman’s upcoming events can be found here. ------ Thank you to the sponsors that fuel our podcast and our team: LMNT Electrolytes https://drinklmnt.com/tetra Use code 'TETRA' ------ Athletic Nicotine https://www.athleticnicotine.com/tetra Use code 'TETRA' ------ Squarespace https://squarespace.com/tetra Use code 'TETRA' ------ Vivo Barefoot http://vivobarefoot.com/tetra Use code 'TETRA25' ------ Sign up to receive Tetragrammaton Transmissions https://www.tetragrammaton.com/join-newsletter

David Eagleman is a neuroscientist at Stanford University and a bestselling author. His neuroscience research spans the areas of brain plasticity, sensory substitution, human perception, synesthesia, and beyond. As the co-director of the Center for Science & Law , he works at the intersection of neuroscience and the legal system, using new discoveries in neuroscience to inform lawmaking. Eagleman also applies his research findings through ventures including Neosensory , a company he co-founded to develop sensory substitution devices. Known for making complex science accessible, he is the writer and presenter of the Emmy-nominated PBS series The Brain with David Eagleman, and he now shares valuable insights on his podcast, Inner Cosmos . A prolific author, his books include Incognito , Sum , and his latest release, Livewired . David Eagleman’s upcoming events can be found here . ------ Thank you to the sponsors that fuel our podcast and our team: LMNT Electrolytes https://drinklmnt.com/tetra Use code 'TETRA' ------ Athletic Nicotine https://www.athleticnicotine.com/tetra Use code 'TETRA' ------ Squarespace https://squarespace.com/tetra Use code 'TETRA' ------ Vivo Barefoot http://vivobarefoot.com/tetra Use code 'TETRA25' ------ Sign up to receive Tetragrammaton Transmissions https://www.tetragrammaton.com/join-newsletter

Today, we are going back into the archives for one of my favorite episodes: We are talking to neuroscientist, entrepreneur, and best-selling author, David Eagleman. We're talking about synaesthesia — and if you don't know what that is, you're about to find out. Special Note We are beyond thrilled that From Our Neurons to Yours has won a 2024 Signal Award in the Science Podcast category. It's a big honor — thanks to everyone who voted! --- Imagine Thursday. Does Thursday have a color? What about the sound of rain — does that sound taste like chocolate? Or does the sound of a saxophone feel triangular to you? For about 3% of the population, the sharp lines between our senses blend together. Textures may have tastes, sounds, shapes, numbers may have colors. This sensory crosstalk is called synesthesia, and it's not a disorder, just a different way of experiencing the world. To learn about the neuroscience behind this fascinating phenomenon and what it tells us about how our brains perceive the world, we were fortunate enough to speak with David Eagleman, a neuroscientist, author, and entrepreneur here at Stanford who has long been fascinated by synesthesia and what it means about how our perceptions shape our reality. Links Livewired (book) Incognito (book) Wednesday Is Indigo Blue (book) Neosensory (website) Synesthete.org (website) Inner Cosmos with David Eagleman (podcast) Get in touch We're doing some listener research and we want to hear from your neurons! Email us at at neuronspodcast@stanford.edu if you'd be willing to help out, and we'll be in touch with some follow-up questions. Episode Credits This episode was produced by Michael Osborne at 14th Street Studios, with production assistance by Morgan Honaker. Our logo is by Aimee Garza. The show is hosted by Nicholas Weiler at Stanford's Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute . Send us a text! Thanks for listening! If you're enjoying our show, please take a moment to give us a review on your podcast app of choice and share this episode with your friends . That's how we grow as a show and bring the stories of the frontiers of neuroscience to a wider audience. We want to hear from your neurons! Email us at at neuronspodcast@stanford.edu Learn more about the Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute at Stanford and follow us on Twitter , Facebook , and LinkedIn .

Patreon: https://bit.ly/3v8OhY7 Robinson’s Fashion Empire: http://bit.ly/3XBKqO2 David Eagleman is a neuroscientist at Stanford University who works on synesthesia, brain plasticity, and sensory substitution, among other topics. He is also a bestselling author, the host of the Inner Cosmos podcast, and writer and presenter of the international PBS series The Brain with David Eagleman. In this episode, Robinson and David discuss brain plasticity and its optimization, the neuroscience of language-learning, consciousness and animal minds, synesthesia, sensory substitution, artificial intelligence, conspiracy theories, and more. David’s most recent book is Livewired: The Inside Story of the Ever-Changing Brain (Vintage, 2021). David’s Website: https://eagleman.com Livewired: https://a.co/d/67w3TQ3 Inner Cosmos: https://eagleman.com/podcast/ OUTLINE 00:00:53 David’s Interest in the Mind 00:02:52 Solving A Problem of Kant with Modern Neuroscience 00:06:08 On Brain Plasticity and How to Maximize It 00:15:23 Do Children Really Learn Languages Faster than Adults? 00:19:46 Using Neuroscience to Maximize Weight Loss and Improve Diet Outcomes 00:22:09 Was Helen Keller Conscious? 00:24:14 Why Neuroscience Hasn’t Figured Out Consciousness 00:28:32 What Really Is Synesthesia? 00:36:44 On Animal Consciousness and Eating Meat 00:42:56 What Is Intelligence? 00:45:52 What Is the Intelligence Echo Illusion? 00:52:02 Will ChatGPT Surpass Our Greatest Thinkers? 00:55:50 Do We Need to Replace the Turing Test? 01:05:57 Inner Cosmos 01:09:16 Why Does the Brain Love Conspiracy Theories? 01:11:33 Why Does the Brain Fall for Magic Tricks? 01:13:14 Why Can’t We Tickle Ourselves? Robinson’s Website: http://robinsonerhardt.com Robinson Erhardt researches symbolic logic and the foundations of mathematics at Stanford University. Join him in conversations with philosophers, scientists, historians, economists, and everyone in-between.

Can the brain receive information through unusual channels and still know how to interpret it? What if I told you it was possible to hear with your skin? Or see with your tongue? It may sound like science fiction, but it’s closer to reality than you might think. The limits of your five senses are just an illusion. And you can hack your brain to experience reality in an entirely new way. Our guest today is Dr. David Eagleman. Dr. Eagleman is a neuroscientist, professor at Stanford University, and owner of several companies where he researches the latest in neurotech and sensory substitution. He’s also the writer and presenter of, The Brain, an Emmy-nominated television series and author of many books, including Livewired: The Inside Story of the Ever-Changing Brain . The ability to unlock your sensory superpowers will become a reality in the future. But even without mind-blowing technology, you can challenge your brain every day so that it stays active, healthy, and agile. Listen in as Dr. Eagleman discusses the latest developments in neurotech and what you can do today for optimal brain health. / / / Are you ready to take the next step on your brain optimization journey? / / / Choose your own adventure. Below are the best places to start: >>> Discover Your Unique KWIK BRAIN C.O.D.E To Activate Your Genius >>> Explore My Top Brain Health Supplements for Focus, Memory, and Energy >>> Use the Code KWIK for 10% OFF Neosensory Products Take your first step by choosing one of the options above, and you will find everything you need to ignite your brilliant brain and unlock your exceptional life, allowing you to achieve and surpass all of your personal and professional goals. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .