133. Split-Brain

Split-Brain is the title given to the research into whether each hemisphere of the brain can learn independently from the other. A neurologic highway mending the two hemispheres called the Corpus Callosum was long believed to be a communication pathway that ultimately links the two sides together, making a cognitive individual known as, You. Many experiments were trialed in order to essentially temporarily shut down (or put to sleep) one hemisphere of a brain, while directly studying responses to different stimuli in the other hemisphere. Long story short, this propelled Michael Gazzaniga and his mentor Dr. Roger Sperry into many different experiments that eventually led to surgically separating the hemispheres of living human subjects leading to a massive explosion of incredible knowledge about our consciousness. Or, BOTH of our consciousnesses. You heard me right travelers, essentially, there are two of you. One in the left hemisphere of your brain, that we are all aware of. This is essentially, YOU. This is the side that is responsible for conversation and other tasks that we rely on every day. And one in the Right hemisphere of your brain that is and has been muted, blocked, and hidden away for their entire life. Don’t believe me? Good. Let me help change your mind. Welcome Back to Infinite Rabbit Hole! -Jeremy