This episode discusses the ancient surgical technique of trepanation, where a hole was drilled into the skull to treat a variety of ailments, and describes the precautions taken to prevent infection.
The speakers discuss their impressions of an encounter between an uncontacted tribe and the outside world. They note the wary but healthy appearance of the tribe and speculate on their immune systems.
The CIA engaged in illegal activities, including using LSD on US and Canadian citizens without their consent as part of their mind control experiments. This led to controversy regarding the program's legitimacy, and there is little research on the hypnosis or other forms of torture used in the experiments.
The overall duration of a painful experience can determine how someone remembers the event. Research shows that even if the overall pain is greater, if the ending is less painful, people will remember the experience as less painful.
Joe Rogan and his guest Dr. Neil Strauss discuss trepanation in ancient cultures and its possible medical purposes, as well as the development of modern brain surgery.