Summary
The podcast episode titled "Can We Bring The Dead Back To Life?" discusses a study that restored key cellular functions in a pig that had been dead for an hour. The study used a machine perfusion device and a synthetic perfusate to restore circulation and feed the cells, allowing them to revive. The guest clarifies that they focused on the cellular level and restored certain cellular functions rather than bringing the entire organism back to life. The study has implications for organ donation and transplantation, but the guest explains that they are still in the proof-of-concept stage and have not yet explored the possibility of bringing whole organs back to life.
The podcast also delves into the concept of consciousness and its relationship to brain function. The participants discuss how consciousness is not found at the individual cellular level, but rather at a systems level. They also talk about the effects of anesthesia on the body and brain, and how it can suppress consciousness by creating inhospitable conditions for communication and connection. The conversation also touches on the idea of quantum entanglement and its potential role in consciousness.
The podcast episode also explores the use of psychedelics in scientific research. The guest argues that psychedelics are tools to manipulate consciousness and study the brain, similar to anesthetics. He refutes the idea that psychedelics provide a deeper understanding of reality, stating that they only modulate the content of consciousness. The host and guest discuss the concept of objective reality and the limitations of measuring it, emphasizing the need for rigorous and responsible research with psychedelic drugs.
Overall, the podcast episode provides thought-provoking discussions on the possibilities and limitations of reanimating dead cells and organs, the nature of consciousness, and the use of psychedelics in scientific research.
