00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:04,162 Translated By The Community Of WWW.MY-SUBS.COM 1 00:00:06,238 --> 00:00:07,707 When it comes to illusions, 2 00:00:07,740 --> 00:00:10,576 optical illusions get all the attention. 3 00:00:10,609 --> 00:00:13,179 But the whole body you have 4 00:00:13,211 --> 00:00:16,783 can be fooled and can fool the brain. 5 00:00:16,815 --> 00:00:19,184 One of my favorite physical illusions 6 00:00:19,217 --> 00:00:21,219 is the thermal grill illusion. 7 00:00:21,253 --> 00:00:22,655 And you can do it right at home. 8 00:00:22,687 --> 00:00:26,491 I have some hot dog halves in an ice bath. 9 00:00:26,524 --> 00:00:28,628 I also have warm hot dog halves. 10 00:00:28,661 --> 00:00:32,097 Now what I'm going to do is marry the halves together 11 00:00:32,131 --> 00:00:35,667 so that they alternate, warm, cool. 12 00:00:35,701 --> 00:00:37,503 Warm, cool. 13 00:00:37,536 --> 00:00:41,707 When I'm done, I will have a torture device. 14 00:00:41,740 --> 00:00:45,078 But not one that hurts your body, 15 00:00:45,110 --> 00:00:49,247 one that hurts your mind. 16 00:01:08,266 --> 00:01:10,703 - Rosanna Pansino. - Hello, Michael. 17 00:01:10,736 --> 00:01:12,671 Welcome to "Mind Field". 18 00:01:12,704 --> 00:01:15,540 Rosanna Pansino is the host of the YouTube cooking show 19 00:01:15,573 --> 00:01:16,542 "Nerdy Nummies". 20 00:01:16,575 --> 00:01:18,377 Brain cake. 21 00:01:18,409 --> 00:01:20,155 So I thought she would be the perfect candidate 22 00:01:20,179 --> 00:01:22,248 to try out our hot dog illusion. 23 00:01:22,281 --> 00:01:23,816 Yeah. 24 00:01:23,849 --> 00:01:26,252 Now you didn't hear or see anything I just did, right? 25 00:01:26,284 --> 00:01:27,319 - No. - Good, all right. 26 00:01:27,352 --> 00:01:29,655 Well, you are in for a treat. 27 00:01:29,688 --> 00:01:33,558 What I want you to do is take the bottom of your forearm 28 00:01:33,591 --> 00:01:35,795 - and place it, skin showing... - Okay. 29 00:01:35,828 --> 00:01:39,397 Right onto these hot dogs. 30 00:01:41,466 --> 00:01:42,801 - What'd you feel? - Ouch. 31 00:01:42,834 --> 00:01:44,302 But now touch them individually. 32 00:01:44,335 --> 00:01:46,539 Like, hurt. 33 00:01:46,572 --> 00:01:50,743 Cold, warm, cold, warm, cold, warm. 34 00:01:50,775 --> 00:01:55,515 But none of them is as hot as they all felt together. 35 00:01:55,548 --> 00:01:58,183 - So what's going on? - I don't know. Magic? 36 00:01:58,216 --> 00:01:59,494 - What's going on over here? - Can I try? 37 00:01:59,518 --> 00:02:00,594 Of course I can try. It's my show. 38 00:02:00,618 --> 00:02:02,487 - Yeah, do it. - Yeah. 39 00:02:02,521 --> 00:02:04,423 What we've built here is a version 40 00:02:04,456 --> 00:02:06,591 of the thermal grill illusion. 41 00:02:06,625 --> 00:02:09,328 And for reasons that are still being debated, 42 00:02:09,360 --> 00:02:12,697 this can cause a sensation of pain. 43 00:02:12,730 --> 00:02:15,634 Maybe the sensors we have, specific to hot and cold, 44 00:02:15,668 --> 00:02:17,870 are both also specific to extreme pain. 45 00:02:17,902 --> 00:02:19,572 And getting them to fire right together 46 00:02:19,604 --> 00:02:21,806 makes the body think, "Whoa, whoa, whoa". 47 00:02:21,840 --> 00:02:23,909 If they're both firing that near to each other, 48 00:02:23,943 --> 00:02:26,279 - that means get away. - Red alert. 49 00:02:26,312 --> 00:02:28,447 - Red alert, yeah. - That's what my arm did. 50 00:02:28,479 --> 00:02:29,890 So what I'm really trying to say is 51 00:02:29,914 --> 00:02:32,784 this is a great way to hurt someone 52 00:02:32,818 --> 00:02:36,322 without there ever being a mark or any actual damage. 53 00:02:36,354 --> 00:02:39,424 - That's pretty sneaky. - Do try this at home. 54 00:02:52,337 --> 00:02:53,805 The surface of the human body 55 00:02:53,838 --> 00:02:55,841 contains millions of nerve endings 56 00:02:55,873 --> 00:02:59,811 that send touch-related sensory information to the brain. 57 00:02:59,844 --> 00:03:02,514 But in some cases, those sensations 58 00:03:02,548 --> 00:03:05,685 don't even need to be generated by nerve endings. 59 00:03:05,717 --> 00:03:07,552 Ever heard of sympathy pain? 60 00:03:07,586 --> 00:03:10,323 The most well-known type of sympathy pain 61 00:03:10,355 --> 00:03:12,692 is called couvade syndrome. 62 00:03:12,724 --> 00:03:14,560 It's when a pregnant woman's husband 63 00:03:14,592 --> 00:03:16,861 goes through labor pains. 64 00:03:16,895 --> 00:03:18,898 Husbands can actually sympathize 65 00:03:18,931 --> 00:03:20,866 with their pregnant wives so much 66 00:03:20,899 --> 00:03:23,568 that they experience the same problems, 67 00:03:23,602 --> 00:03:26,271 such as weight gain, insomnia, 68 00:03:26,305 --> 00:03:30,009 nausea, mood swings, et cetera. 69 00:03:30,042 --> 00:03:33,778 Sympathy pain is also known as synesthetic pain. 70 00:03:33,812 --> 00:03:36,816 It's pain sparked by seeing someone else get hurt. 71 00:03:36,848 --> 00:03:38,584 Ooh! 72 00:03:38,616 --> 00:03:41,786 Amputees can actually be more susceptible to it 73 00:03:41,819 --> 00:03:46,258 because experiencing trauma can make the brain more sensitive 74 00:03:46,292 --> 00:03:48,394 to other people's pain. 75 00:03:48,426 --> 00:03:50,962 Amputees can also feel pain in the limb 76 00:03:50,996 --> 00:03:52,932 that is no longer there. 77 00:03:52,965 --> 00:03:55,700 That is known as phantom pain. 78 00:03:55,734 --> 00:03:57,670 But perhaps the most surprising way 79 00:03:57,703 --> 00:03:59,504 that the brain and pain interact 80 00:03:59,538 --> 00:04:02,875 can be demonstrated by the nocebo effect. 81 00:04:02,907 --> 00:04:05,877 Have you ever heard of the placebo effect? 82 00:04:05,911 --> 00:04:07,712 It's like when a fake pain pill 83 00:04:07,746 --> 00:04:09,949 actually cures a person's pain 84 00:04:09,981 --> 00:04:12,284 because they have a positive expectation it will work. 85 00:04:12,318 --> 00:04:13,819 Well, today, 86 00:04:13,852 --> 00:04:16,555 we're demonstrating the exact opposite. 87 00:04:16,588 --> 00:04:18,457 If a subject expects 88 00:04:18,490 --> 00:04:20,435 they're going to experience something unpleasant, 89 00:04:20,459 --> 00:04:22,795 like pain, will they feel it 90 00:04:22,827 --> 00:04:26,031 even if it actually exists only in their mind. 91 00:04:26,064 --> 00:04:29,868 We've told our subject that she's participating in a study 92 00:04:29,901 --> 00:04:33,471 to test a non-invasive bone density scanner. 93 00:04:33,504 --> 00:04:36,975 But actually, it's a totally fake machine 94 00:04:37,009 --> 00:04:40,312 that we built from a desk lamp, an air compressor, 95 00:04:40,346 --> 00:04:41,680 and the kind of $10 laser pointer 96 00:04:41,713 --> 00:04:43,548 you might tease your cat with. 97 00:04:43,581 --> 00:04:46,618 It doesn't cause physical pain, or for that matter, 98 00:04:46,651 --> 00:04:48,853 physical sensation of any kind. 99 00:04:48,887 --> 00:04:51,023 It doesn't hurt at all. You guys, this doesn't work. 100 00:04:52,624 --> 00:04:54,460 But will the expectation alone 101 00:04:54,492 --> 00:04:57,762 make our subject think she's feeling real pain? 102 00:04:57,795 --> 00:05:00,632 So come on in here. 103 00:05:00,665 --> 00:05:04,069 Just go ahead and take a seat right there. 104 00:05:04,103 --> 00:05:06,771 And then when you feel ready to drive, 105 00:05:06,805 --> 00:05:09,108 just let us know and we'll dismiss you, okay? 106 00:05:09,141 --> 00:05:10,710 Okay. Thank you. 107 00:05:10,742 --> 00:05:12,577 First, we have to make our subject 108 00:05:12,610 --> 00:05:14,579 expect to experience pain. 109 00:05:14,612 --> 00:05:17,716 And to do that, our actors are going to scare her a little. 110 00:05:17,750 --> 00:05:19,985 Sorry, Jessica, this is for science. 111 00:05:20,017 --> 00:05:21,753 So are you already done? 112 00:05:21,786 --> 00:05:25,024 Yeah. I just, you know, need a minute. 113 00:05:25,057 --> 00:05:27,759 - Then I'll be good to go. - What'd you do? 114 00:05:27,793 --> 00:05:29,728 It's like a targeted laser. 115 00:05:29,762 --> 00:05:31,997 It tests bone density. 116 00:05:32,029 --> 00:05:34,866 - Did it hurt? - Yeah. 117 00:05:34,899 --> 00:05:36,634 By the look on her face, 118 00:05:36,668 --> 00:05:39,538 it appears we have successfully primed our subject 119 00:05:39,571 --> 00:05:41,040 for what's to come. 120 00:05:41,072 --> 00:05:43,543 Okay, Jessica, we're ready for you. 121 00:05:45,511 --> 00:05:48,080 The question is, when put to the test, 122 00:05:48,112 --> 00:05:50,415 will she actually feel pain 123 00:05:50,449 --> 00:05:51,726 when there is really none there. 124 00:05:51,750 --> 00:05:53,017 - This is Jessica. - Hi. 125 00:05:53,050 --> 00:05:54,552 - Hi, Jessica. - Come on in. 126 00:05:54,586 --> 00:05:55,855 Won't you have a seat? 127 00:05:55,887 --> 00:05:57,655 Everything in this room, 128 00:05:57,689 --> 00:06:00,492 the medical equipment, the hospital supplies, 129 00:06:00,526 --> 00:06:02,895 even the demeanor of our fake nurse, 130 00:06:02,927 --> 00:06:05,564 is designed to play on Jessica's mind. 131 00:06:05,596 --> 00:06:09,634 To psychologically induce the anticipation of pain. 132 00:06:09,668 --> 00:06:11,903 We're testing out some equipment. 133 00:06:11,937 --> 00:06:13,872 It's not invasive. We need to measure 134 00:06:13,906 --> 00:06:16,442 the side effects and patient reaction. 135 00:06:16,475 --> 00:06:18,611 And I want you to be really descriptive 136 00:06:18,644 --> 00:06:20,112 about what you're feeling. 137 00:06:20,144 --> 00:06:22,781 And pay close attention to the pain that you feel 138 00:06:22,814 --> 00:06:24,649 and how it grows. 139 00:06:24,682 --> 00:06:27,952 Notice how we are suggesting that she will feel pain, 140 00:06:27,985 --> 00:06:29,988 further raising her expectations. 141 00:06:30,021 --> 00:06:32,524 I'm gonna give you a ball to squeeze 142 00:06:32,557 --> 00:06:35,060 - for pain management, okay? - Okay. 143 00:06:35,093 --> 00:06:38,463 And any time you want to stop, it stops right away. 144 00:06:38,497 --> 00:06:40,800 - Okay. - Okay? 145 00:06:40,833 --> 00:06:43,068 You ready? 146 00:06:50,809 --> 00:06:55,080 It's definitely warm. 147 00:06:55,112 --> 00:07:00,084 And, like, like, tingly. 148 00:07:00,117 --> 00:07:02,454 After only about seven seconds, 149 00:07:02,487 --> 00:07:05,057 she's already feeling a physical sensation on her skin, 150 00:07:05,089 --> 00:07:06,691 where there is none. 151 00:07:06,725 --> 00:07:09,094 Keep in mind, we tested our fake bone scanner, 152 00:07:09,127 --> 00:07:12,932 and the light emits zero heat or feeling of any kind. 153 00:07:12,964 --> 00:07:16,568 - Yeah, now it's... doesn't feel that great. 154 00:07:16,601 --> 00:07:18,146 - You want me to turn it off? - No, it's okay. 155 00:07:18,170 --> 00:07:21,540 - We're at 30 seconds. - Really, like, stinging. 156 00:07:21,572 --> 00:07:23,041 - A sting? - A sting and, like, 157 00:07:23,074 --> 00:07:25,610 - really, really hot. - Now it's hot. 158 00:07:25,644 --> 00:07:29,747 - We're at 45 seconds. - Yeah, it doesn't... it's... 159 00:07:29,781 --> 00:07:32,718 - Okay, I'm gonna turn it off. - Okay, thanks. 160 00:07:35,187 --> 00:07:38,157 You described warm turning to hot. 161 00:07:38,189 --> 00:07:41,060 It was, like, warm and then that, like, heat grew 162 00:07:41,093 --> 00:07:42,828 into more of, like, a sting. 163 00:07:42,860 --> 00:07:45,264 On this pain scale, could you point to 164 00:07:45,297 --> 00:07:46,966 the amount of pain you were feeling? 165 00:07:46,999 --> 00:07:49,768 Between a six and a seven. 166 00:07:49,800 --> 00:07:52,170 According to the pain assessment scale, 167 00:07:52,204 --> 00:07:55,674 she experienced significant pain. 168 00:07:55,706 --> 00:07:59,512 This is completely up to you, but we can move to level two, 169 00:07:59,545 --> 00:08:00,846 which is slightly more intense. 170 00:08:00,879 --> 00:08:03,081 How many more levels are there? 171 00:08:03,115 --> 00:08:04,850 There's just five. 172 00:08:04,882 --> 00:08:06,551 - There's five levels? - There are five. 173 00:08:06,584 --> 00:08:07,652 - My gosh. - But again, 174 00:08:07,685 --> 00:08:09,521 you're in the driver's seat. 175 00:08:09,555 --> 00:08:13,057 - Yeah, sure. Let's do it. 176 00:08:13,091 --> 00:08:15,293 Here's another test of our nocebo. 177 00:08:15,326 --> 00:08:18,062 Will she feel an increase in her level of pain 178 00:08:18,096 --> 00:08:20,165 if she expects to? - You ready? 179 00:08:22,668 --> 00:08:24,970 Keep in mind, level two is fake. 180 00:08:25,002 --> 00:08:27,171 We're not doing anything different than before, 181 00:08:27,204 --> 00:08:29,541 meaning nothing is happening to her. 182 00:08:29,574 --> 00:08:31,976 So, yeah, it started off higher 183 00:08:32,009 --> 00:08:33,611 than the last time, I think. 184 00:08:33,644 --> 00:08:37,949 It's definitely, like, already stinging. 185 00:08:37,982 --> 00:08:41,152 Immediately, she reports increased pain on level two. 186 00:08:41,186 --> 00:08:42,588 It's 15 seconds. 187 00:08:42,620 --> 00:08:44,956 It feels really, really, really hot and, 188 00:08:44,990 --> 00:08:46,158 like, penetrating. 189 00:08:46,191 --> 00:08:48,326 - How deep? - Um... 190 00:08:48,360 --> 00:08:49,703 - 30 seconds. - I don't know, like, 191 00:08:49,727 --> 00:08:51,663 1/2 and inch or, like, an inch. 192 00:08:51,697 --> 00:08:56,032 Yeah, it is... it's very hot. 193 00:08:56,033 --> 00:09:00,338 Um, like burning. 194 00:09:00,371 --> 00:09:03,308 Like my whole arm is, like, on fire. 195 00:09:05,711 --> 00:09:07,812 - We can stop at any time. - You want to call it? 196 00:09:07,846 --> 00:09:11,683 - Yeah. - Okay, we're off. 197 00:09:11,716 --> 00:09:13,686 - Do you need a tissue? - Yeah, thank you. 198 00:09:13,719 --> 00:09:15,854 You're welcome. 199 00:09:15,886 --> 00:09:19,991 Could you rank for me how you felt at level two? 200 00:09:20,024 --> 00:09:21,961 Like 9 1/2. 201 00:09:21,994 --> 00:09:24,830 The power of suggestion was so strong, 202 00:09:24,863 --> 00:09:27,032 our nocebo caused our subject to think 203 00:09:27,065 --> 00:09:30,703 she felt almost the worst pain imaginable. 204 00:09:30,735 --> 00:09:34,005 Other subject felt different imaginary sensations. 205 00:09:34,038 --> 00:09:36,008 The muscles are kind of, 206 00:09:36,041 --> 00:09:37,943 kind of burning a little bit. 207 00:09:37,975 --> 00:09:40,980 - Stop. - How did that feel? 208 00:09:41,013 --> 00:09:43,014 That was, like, a seven. 209 00:09:43,048 --> 00:09:45,049 Actually it's tingling a lot more now 210 00:09:45,082 --> 00:09:47,318 than it was before. 211 00:09:47,351 --> 00:09:49,855 I was surprised at the intense reaction 212 00:09:49,888 --> 00:09:52,124 some subjects had to a feeling that was created 213 00:09:52,157 --> 00:09:54,093 only in their minds. 214 00:09:54,125 --> 00:09:58,262 - Look, I'm gonna stop it now. - That was 45 seconds. 215 00:09:58,296 --> 00:10:01,767 Describe for me the sensations that you were having. 216 00:10:01,799 --> 00:10:03,010 It felt like a little prickle 217 00:10:03,034 --> 00:10:06,270 like when you get goose bumps. 218 00:10:06,303 --> 00:10:08,273 What about our original subject 219 00:10:08,306 --> 00:10:11,944 who experienced a severe 9 1/2 on the pain scale? 220 00:10:11,976 --> 00:10:14,980 How will she feel when she learns it was all in her head? 221 00:10:15,013 --> 00:10:16,882 I want to debrief you on everything 222 00:10:16,914 --> 00:10:18,116 that we're up to today. 223 00:10:18,149 --> 00:10:21,285 So this is a psychology program, 224 00:10:21,318 --> 00:10:24,856 and this equipment is not doing anything to you. 225 00:10:24,889 --> 00:10:27,125 This is just a machine that makes noise. 226 00:10:27,158 --> 00:10:29,894 And that's just a laser pointer on a lamp. 227 00:10:29,927 --> 00:10:31,362 - For real? - For real. 228 00:10:31,395 --> 00:10:33,765 - My God. - You were never in danger. 229 00:10:33,798 --> 00:10:35,442 - We didn't do anything to you. - My God. 230 00:10:35,466 --> 00:10:39,170 This is an investigation in pain anticipation. 231 00:10:39,203 --> 00:10:42,306 - Yeah, that worked. - I was so scared. 232 00:10:42,340 --> 00:10:44,743 I was so close to, like, going to, like, 233 00:10:44,775 --> 00:10:46,287 just say, "You know what? I changed my mind". 234 00:10:46,311 --> 00:10:48,147 I was so close to leaving. 235 00:10:48,179 --> 00:10:50,948 You did say that you felt a prickle. 236 00:10:50,981 --> 00:10:53,151 How do you feel about that? 237 00:10:53,184 --> 00:10:55,219 Whether it was really I did get goose bumps 238 00:10:55,253 --> 00:10:57,355 or I was nervous, which is why I felt it. 239 00:10:57,389 --> 00:10:59,323 I know, as a person, like, 240 00:10:59,356 --> 00:11:00,992 if I think there's going to be pain, 241 00:11:01,025 --> 00:11:02,126 I'm gonna feel something. 242 00:11:02,159 --> 00:11:03,928 I do still feel, like, kind of like 243 00:11:03,961 --> 00:11:05,330 a burning sensation on my arms. 244 00:11:05,363 --> 00:11:06,965 - Really? - Yeah. 245 00:11:06,998 --> 00:11:09,201 The power of suggestion is so strong 246 00:11:09,234 --> 00:11:12,805 that this subject continued to imagine a physical sensation, 247 00:11:12,837 --> 00:11:14,939 even after learning it wasn't real. 248 00:11:14,972 --> 00:11:18,242 The name for the effect is the nocebo effect. 249 00:11:18,275 --> 00:11:21,813 It's a negative effect caused by nothing but the mind. 250 00:11:21,846 --> 00:11:23,448 It makes perfect sense, you know, 251 00:11:23,481 --> 00:11:25,149 the power of suggestion. 252 00:11:25,182 --> 00:11:27,119 I'm shaky just thinking about it. 253 00:11:34,225 --> 00:11:37,763 Pain and touch are weird. 254 00:11:37,796 --> 00:11:40,299 But what about when touch straddles the line 255 00:11:40,331 --> 00:11:42,835 between pleasure and pain? 256 00:11:42,868 --> 00:11:44,970 When a sensation makes you laugh 257 00:11:45,003 --> 00:11:47,004 and drives you crazy. 258 00:11:47,038 --> 00:11:48,974 I'm talking about tickling. 259 00:11:49,006 --> 00:11:51,075 Part of what makes you laugh when you're tickled 260 00:11:51,109 --> 00:11:52,811 is the element of surprise. 261 00:11:52,844 --> 00:11:55,080 Your brain doesn't know exactly what to expect 262 00:11:55,113 --> 00:11:56,448 or when it's going to happen. 263 00:11:56,480 --> 00:11:59,051 On the other hand, it's impossible 264 00:11:59,083 --> 00:12:00,818 to tickle yourself. 265 00:12:00,851 --> 00:12:03,788 If the brain knows where and when and how 266 00:12:03,822 --> 00:12:06,859 you are going to be touched, you won't laugh. 267 00:12:06,892 --> 00:12:09,027 But professors of cognitive neuroscience 268 00:12:09,059 --> 00:12:10,895 at the University College London 269 00:12:10,928 --> 00:12:14,165 have invented the tickle machine. 270 00:12:14,198 --> 00:12:16,267 Subjects sit in the tickle machine 271 00:12:16,301 --> 00:12:17,936 with their feet against a brush 272 00:12:17,969 --> 00:12:19,471 that is connected to a handle. 273 00:12:19,504 --> 00:12:21,974 At first, when the subjects turn the handle, 274 00:12:22,006 --> 00:12:24,442 the brush rotates at the exact same time 275 00:12:24,475 --> 00:12:26,410 resulting in no tickling. 276 00:12:26,443 --> 00:12:29,347 Then the machine is switched into tickle mode... 277 00:12:29,380 --> 00:12:31,783 Which causes a delay 278 00:12:31,817 --> 00:12:33,461 of less than a second between when the subject 279 00:12:33,485 --> 00:12:35,454 turns the handle and when the brush moves 280 00:12:35,486 --> 00:12:36,921 against their foot. 281 00:12:36,955 --> 00:12:39,391 - This slight change 282 00:12:39,423 --> 00:12:41,067 is enough to prevent the brain's cerebellum 283 00:12:41,091 --> 00:12:42,927 from predicting the sensation, 284 00:12:42,961 --> 00:12:45,931 thus allowing the subject to respond to the tickle. 285 00:12:47,966 --> 00:12:49,334 Tickles can be fun. 286 00:12:49,366 --> 00:12:52,336 Pain, not so much. 287 00:12:52,370 --> 00:12:56,441 If you couldn't feel pain, that would be great, right? 288 00:12:56,474 --> 00:12:58,143 Or would it? 289 00:12:58,176 --> 00:13:01,079 Let's meet Steve Pete. 290 00:13:01,111 --> 00:13:03,447 Steve, I understand you don't feel pain. 291 00:13:03,480 --> 00:13:05,450 Yes, I was born with a rare genetic condition 292 00:13:05,482 --> 00:13:08,219 called congenital insensitivity to pain. 293 00:13:08,253 --> 00:13:10,956 It only affects about 40 to 50 of us around the world with it. 294 00:13:10,989 --> 00:13:12,423 - Only 40 or 50 people? - Yeah. 295 00:13:12,456 --> 00:13:14,225 So far that we've been able to find. 296 00:13:14,259 --> 00:13:16,995 And tell me what it means when you say you don't feel pain. 297 00:13:17,028 --> 00:13:19,464 Pain is used to detect injury 298 00:13:19,496 --> 00:13:21,341 and it kind of sends a signal to your brain saying, 299 00:13:21,365 --> 00:13:23,836 "Hey, don't do this anymore". It's an alarm system. 300 00:13:23,869 --> 00:13:26,104 So what happens with my condition is 301 00:13:26,136 --> 00:13:27,538 we feel what's going on 302 00:13:27,572 --> 00:13:29,408 like if I were to touch your shoulder, 303 00:13:29,441 --> 00:13:31,018 you would feel me touching your shoulder, 304 00:13:31,042 --> 00:13:33,011 but if I were to touch your shoulder in a way 305 00:13:33,043 --> 00:13:36,014 that's painful, I would feel just a pressure, 306 00:13:36,047 --> 00:13:39,117 and the signal of pain would not travel to my brain. 307 00:13:39,149 --> 00:13:41,252 - Okay, so you feel everything... - Everything else. 308 00:13:41,285 --> 00:13:44,422 That I feel, but you just don't feel pain. 309 00:13:44,456 --> 00:13:46,390 - Yeah. Correct. - But that could be dangerous. 310 00:13:46,423 --> 00:13:49,360 How did you first find out that you had this condition? 311 00:13:49,394 --> 00:13:51,330 Well, what happened was I was teething 312 00:13:51,363 --> 00:13:54,032 and I chewed part of my tongue off. 313 00:13:54,065 --> 00:13:56,368 So my parents quickly took me to my pediatrician. 314 00:13:56,400 --> 00:13:58,903 - Wow. Are you ticklish? - Yes. 315 00:13:58,937 --> 00:14:00,072 - Do you itch? - Yes. 316 00:14:00,105 --> 00:14:01,539 - Do you like massages? - Yes. 317 00:14:01,572 --> 00:14:03,507 - Do you take painkillers? - No. 318 00:14:03,541 --> 00:14:05,277 - What about a headache? - No. 319 00:14:05,309 --> 00:14:08,913 - What about spicy peppers? - I enjoy them, yeah. 320 00:14:08,947 --> 00:14:11,950 I mean, I do sense the burning sensation, 321 00:14:11,982 --> 00:14:13,184 but nothing painful. 322 00:14:13,217 --> 00:14:17,188 What about intestine pain like gas pain? 323 00:14:17,221 --> 00:14:18,624 That's something I don't feel, 324 00:14:18,657 --> 00:14:22,326 so that kind of ties into one of my biggest fears, 325 00:14:22,360 --> 00:14:24,162 which is having, like, appendicitis 326 00:14:24,195 --> 00:14:26,164 or any other type of internal damage 327 00:14:26,197 --> 00:14:28,432 that I just don't know about until it's too late. 328 00:14:28,466 --> 00:14:29,935 Is there an upside to this? 329 00:14:29,967 --> 00:14:31,469 I'm sure that people, often naively, 330 00:14:31,503 --> 00:14:32,947 hear that you don't feel pain... - Yeah. 331 00:14:32,971 --> 00:14:34,048 - And they think, "Man. 332 00:14:34,072 --> 00:14:35,249 Well, you should become a boxer". 333 00:14:35,273 --> 00:14:37,276 The only upside to it is, 334 00:14:37,308 --> 00:14:40,011 being that I have had so many injuries during my childhood, 335 00:14:40,044 --> 00:14:42,514 as I get older, I won't feel the pain that comes with it. 336 00:14:42,547 --> 00:14:44,081 Other than that, really, 337 00:14:44,115 --> 00:14:45,650 I just try to live my life normally 338 00:14:45,683 --> 00:14:47,151 as everyone else does. 339 00:14:47,184 --> 00:14:49,420 I cannot describe pain to you. 340 00:14:49,453 --> 00:14:52,290 Just like you can't describe a color to someone who's blind. 341 00:14:52,323 --> 00:14:54,058 Which is where I run into my problem 342 00:14:54,091 --> 00:14:56,662 with trying to describe what not feeling pain is like. 343 00:14:56,695 --> 00:14:58,563 Wow, I'll bet. 344 00:14:58,596 --> 00:15:00,032 Well, Steve, thank you very much. 345 00:15:00,065 --> 00:15:03,803 This was really, really fascinating. 346 00:15:04,336 --> 00:15:09,574 So not being able to feel pain is actually a bad thing. 347 00:15:09,606 --> 00:15:13,411 But likewise, the anticipation of pain can be bad too. 348 00:15:13,445 --> 00:15:17,482 Just making someone think that they might be tortured soon 349 00:15:17,514 --> 00:15:19,451 could be a torture device. 350 00:15:19,484 --> 00:15:22,054 The CIA and Guantanamo Bay are known 351 00:15:22,086 --> 00:15:24,221 for using psychological torture 352 00:15:24,254 --> 00:15:26,692 involving the anticipation of pain 353 00:15:26,725 --> 00:15:30,228 against prisoners in the war on terror. 354 00:15:30,260 --> 00:15:34,966 The effects of this type of torture can last a lifetime. 355 00:15:35,000 --> 00:15:36,467 So what's worse? 356 00:15:36,500 --> 00:15:41,572 Waiting for pain to happen or the pain itself? 357 00:15:41,605 --> 00:15:43,542 You might be surprised. 358 00:15:46,677 --> 00:15:48,647 We're basing our investigation 359 00:15:48,679 --> 00:15:51,248 on an anticipation of pain experiment, 360 00:15:51,282 --> 00:15:54,252 conducted at the University College London, 361 00:15:54,284 --> 00:15:56,254 which gave subject two options. 362 00:15:56,287 --> 00:15:59,725 Option one: Experience intense pain right away. 363 00:15:59,758 --> 00:16:04,129 Or option two: Anticipate a lower level of pain 364 00:16:04,162 --> 00:16:06,131 in intervals every few minutes. 365 00:16:06,163 --> 00:16:09,400 Researchers found that the psychological effects of dread 366 00:16:09,433 --> 00:16:14,139 can often be worse than the pain itself. 367 00:16:14,172 --> 00:16:16,341 We decided to demonstrate the phenomenon 368 00:16:16,374 --> 00:16:18,610 by setting up a fake research study. 369 00:16:18,643 --> 00:16:21,146 We are looking into 370 00:16:21,178 --> 00:16:23,148 the effects of electrical stimulation on the body. 371 00:16:23,181 --> 00:16:25,550 - Okay. - It's all completely harmless. 372 00:16:25,582 --> 00:16:27,552 - But it can be unpleasant. - Right. 373 00:16:27,585 --> 00:16:29,397 So we'll show you the two settings, all right? 374 00:16:29,421 --> 00:16:32,591 I want to show you first what we call the light setting, okay? 375 00:16:32,624 --> 00:16:35,127 - Okay. - You ready? 376 00:16:35,159 --> 00:16:36,594 I guess so. 377 00:16:38,363 --> 00:16:40,132 And then there's the high setting. 378 00:16:42,299 --> 00:16:44,335 - Okay. - I don't... 379 00:16:44,369 --> 00:16:47,439 All right, so again, unpleasant definitely... 380 00:16:47,471 --> 00:16:48,774 - Yeah. - But you're safe. 381 00:16:48,807 --> 00:16:51,409 We call this the low voltage or light shock. 382 00:16:51,442 --> 00:16:52,610 - Okay. - Ready? 383 00:16:52,644 --> 00:16:55,047 All right. 384 00:16:55,080 --> 00:16:57,149 Okay. 385 00:16:57,182 --> 00:17:00,818 And now we'll show you the high voltage or higher shock. 386 00:17:00,851 --> 00:17:02,586 Okay. 387 00:17:02,620 --> 00:17:04,288 Ooh. 388 00:17:04,321 --> 00:17:06,157 - Okay. - Okay. 389 00:17:06,191 --> 00:17:07,692 Now it's time for our subjects 390 00:17:07,724 --> 00:17:09,360 to make an important choice. 391 00:17:09,394 --> 00:17:11,762 All right, so now that you know the two differences, 392 00:17:11,796 --> 00:17:14,665 you either can choose choice A, 393 00:17:14,699 --> 00:17:18,670 which is one high voltage shock every ten seconds for a minute. 394 00:17:18,702 --> 00:17:21,105 Will our subjects choose 395 00:17:21,138 --> 00:17:23,140 the higher, more painful shocks, 396 00:17:23,173 --> 00:17:25,176 but get it over with right away? 397 00:17:25,210 --> 00:17:30,315 Or choice B is one low voltage shock 398 00:17:30,347 --> 00:17:33,417 every ten minutes for one hour. 399 00:17:33,451 --> 00:17:36,221 Or will they choose the lower shocks, 400 00:17:36,253 --> 00:17:39,123 but be forced to anticipate the pain for ten minutes 401 00:17:39,156 --> 00:17:41,659 between shocks for a solid hour? 402 00:17:41,692 --> 00:17:44,829 Either way, you will be here for an hour. 403 00:17:44,863 --> 00:17:47,632 What's worse? A higher level of pain? 404 00:17:47,664 --> 00:17:49,701 Or having to wait and anticipate 405 00:17:49,733 --> 00:17:51,269 the lower level of pain? 406 00:17:51,301 --> 00:17:52,471 I'll take the long. 407 00:17:52,503 --> 00:17:55,307 I think I'll do the shorter, 408 00:17:55,339 --> 00:17:57,341 more painful one. 409 00:17:57,375 --> 00:17:58,742 Okay. 410 00:17:58,776 --> 00:18:00,612 Now that they've made their choices, 411 00:18:00,644 --> 00:18:02,314 it's time to see how our subjects 412 00:18:02,346 --> 00:18:05,182 experience these two options? 413 00:18:05,215 --> 00:18:07,284 The subject who chose to anticipate 414 00:18:07,317 --> 00:18:10,122 the lower level of pain during the course of an hour 415 00:18:10,154 --> 00:18:12,757 is seated in the low shock administration room, 416 00:18:12,789 --> 00:18:14,593 along with our actors, 417 00:18:14,625 --> 00:18:16,161 who are pretending to get shocked. 418 00:18:16,193 --> 00:18:18,129 Hi. 419 00:18:20,565 --> 00:18:24,236 This subject's hour-long ordeal is just beginning. 420 00:18:24,269 --> 00:18:26,538 But what about the subject who chose to get it over with 421 00:18:26,570 --> 00:18:29,640 and take the more painful shocks right away? 422 00:18:29,673 --> 00:18:32,711 We're starting now. 423 00:18:32,743 --> 00:18:34,311 Here's shock number one. 424 00:18:34,345 --> 00:18:36,480 Okay. 425 00:18:36,513 --> 00:18:40,184 Yes, the shock is painful, but it was her choice. 426 00:18:40,218 --> 00:18:43,587 This is shock number two. 427 00:18:43,621 --> 00:18:45,757 It's really painful. 428 00:18:45,789 --> 00:18:47,858 Shock number three. 429 00:18:47,892 --> 00:18:49,894 - It's half over. - Exactly. 430 00:18:49,928 --> 00:18:52,631 It may hurt more, but she's getting it over with quickly. 431 00:18:52,663 --> 00:18:54,432 Shock number four. 432 00:18:54,464 --> 00:18:56,300 Number five. 433 00:18:56,334 --> 00:18:58,637 Number six. 434 00:18:58,670 --> 00:19:00,572 Okay, you're done. 435 00:19:00,605 --> 00:19:06,310 Meanwhile, our other subject is only on shock number one. 436 00:19:06,344 --> 00:19:09,713 That's one shock down, 437 00:19:09,747 --> 00:19:13,384 five more to go. 438 00:19:13,417 --> 00:19:15,452 While the pain level may be lower, 439 00:19:15,486 --> 00:19:17,656 the subject has plenty of time for the pain 440 00:19:17,689 --> 00:19:21,259 and its anticipation to occupy his mind. 441 00:19:24,394 --> 00:19:26,431 Hi, Jerome, would you come with me? 442 00:19:26,463 --> 00:19:29,701 - Okay. - Finally, his hour is up. 443 00:19:29,733 --> 00:19:33,704 Tell me about why you chose the lower voltage choice. 444 00:19:33,738 --> 00:19:36,775 - I guess you're... less pain, you know. 445 00:19:36,807 --> 00:19:38,210 While you were sitting there 446 00:19:38,242 --> 00:19:40,444 waiting for ten minutes to elapse, 447 00:19:40,478 --> 00:19:42,714 how did you feel? 448 00:19:42,747 --> 00:19:44,282 It's so quiet in there, 449 00:19:44,315 --> 00:19:46,451 so basically you got your thoughts. 450 00:19:46,483 --> 00:19:48,819 Your thoughts is like, "Okay, it's coming". 451 00:19:48,853 --> 00:19:51,623 This anxiety may be the reason why 452 00:19:51,655 --> 00:19:54,592 in the original study, a full 70% of subjects 453 00:19:54,625 --> 00:19:57,796 opted to receive the more painful shocks right away, 454 00:19:57,828 --> 00:20:00,264 rather than suffer through the mental torture 455 00:20:00,298 --> 00:20:01,865 of anticipation. 456 00:20:01,898 --> 00:20:05,336 Why did you choose the higher shock group? 457 00:20:05,369 --> 00:20:08,305 Just knowing that it was over within a minute, 458 00:20:08,338 --> 00:20:10,674 I think ten seconds is easier to go along with 459 00:20:10,708 --> 00:20:12,611 and anticipate what was coming next. 460 00:20:12,644 --> 00:20:14,311 So it's kind of like 461 00:20:14,345 --> 00:20:16,615 ripping a band-aid off, I guess. 462 00:20:16,647 --> 00:20:18,482 - You'd rather... - Hard and fast. 463 00:20:18,516 --> 00:20:19,584 - Hard and fast? - Yeah. 464 00:20:19,616 --> 00:20:21,418 Yeah, yeah. 465 00:20:26,657 --> 00:20:28,792 Tickling may be annoying, 466 00:20:28,826 --> 00:20:33,664 and pain may be, well, painful, 467 00:20:33,698 --> 00:20:37,002 but we crave touch. 468 00:20:37,035 --> 00:20:40,639 Hugging feels amazing. 469 00:20:40,672 --> 00:20:42,740 Hugging can actually decrease your risk 470 00:20:42,773 --> 00:20:44,408 of catching the common cold. 471 00:20:44,442 --> 00:20:47,746 And hugging can lower blood pressure. 472 00:20:47,778 --> 00:20:51,282 Hugging can also release oxytocin, 473 00:20:51,316 --> 00:20:53,852 the so-called bonding hormone. 474 00:20:53,884 --> 00:20:57,422 I guess what I'm trying to say is... 475 00:20:57,454 --> 00:21:00,692 stay in touch.