|
Human Body Pushing The Limits
|
| 00:00:05 |
NARRATOR: Too often, |
| 00:00:08 |
but under pressure, |
| 00:00:11 |
how extraordinary |
| 00:00:15 |
This complex machine grew |
| 00:00:17 |
out of millions of years |
| 00:00:19 |
So intricate, |
| 00:00:22 |
by many of the things |
| 00:00:24 |
A hidden world, |
| 00:00:25 |
but one we can now explore |
| 00:00:31 |
At the top of our spines |
| 00:00:34 |
controlling everything we do. |
| 00:00:38 |
Our brain works faster |
| 00:00:41 |
processing an astounding |
| 00:00:45 |
every second. |
| 00:00:46 |
But to save our lives, |
| 00:00:52 |
...tell us what to eat... |
| 00:00:53 |
even when to consume ourselves, |
| 00:00:55 |
and, as we sleep, |
| 00:01:00 |
Our brain drives our muscles |
| 00:01:04 |
when we're pushed to the limits. |
| 00:01:13 |
When firefighters face one |
| 00:01:17 |
it seems impossible |
| 00:01:20 |
Yet six men walk away from a |
| 00:01:29 |
What saved them was their brains |
| 00:01:37 |
A lightning strike ignites |
| 00:01:43 |
Ryan Jordan leads a team |
| 00:01:45 |
to make sure the blaze |
| 00:01:48 |
We're gonna be there |
| 00:01:50 |
Over. |
| 00:01:52 |
NARRATOR: |
| 00:01:58 |
The wind shifts, |
| 00:02:03 |
and they're bearing down |
| 00:02:07 |
JORDAN: |
| 00:02:09 |
about two miles in, |
| 00:02:11 |
we had some scratchy |
| 00:02:13 |
that the wind was picking up. |
| 00:02:15 |
The fire had changed |
| 00:02:17 |
and started burning downcanyon. |
| 00:02:18 |
NARRATOR: |
| 00:02:20 |
a nightmare was approaching. |
| 00:02:22 |
MAN: Repeat. |
| 00:02:24 |
Winds are changing direction. |
| 00:02:25 |
F ar as we can tell, |
| 00:02:27 |
lt could be headed your way, |
| 00:02:29 |
NARRATOR: |
| 00:02:31 |
his brain takes control. |
| 00:02:37 |
Deep in the brain, |
| 00:02:38 |
two parts, each an inch across, |
| 00:02:43 |
lt manages our fight-or-flight |
| 00:02:48 |
Okay, let's go! |
| 00:02:50 |
NARRATOR: lt drives us |
| 00:02:52 |
Come on, guys! |
| 00:03:01 |
NARRATOR: The control center |
| 00:03:03 |
from the outside. |
| 00:03:08 |
Normally, the data goes |
| 00:03:11 |
for study and reflection. |
| 00:03:14 |
But in emergencies, the |
| 00:03:17 |
signaling nearby areas that |
| 00:03:22 |
Without a thought' |
| 00:03:23 |
the firefighters' brains |
| 00:03:27 |
l n a blink' the men take off. |
| 00:03:33 |
JORDAN: You could feel the heat |
| 00:03:36 |
l n your mind, |
| 00:03:38 |
That's your instinct. To get |
| 00:03:43 |
NARRATOR: Stoked by gusts, |
| 00:03:55 |
l n the firefighter's brain, |
| 00:03:56 |
the disaster center |
| 00:04:01 |
lt orders release of a natural, |
| 00:04:04 |
Adrenaline. |
| 00:04:10 |
Keep going, guys! |
| 00:04:13 |
NARRATOR: |
| 00:04:15 |
Blood is redirected |
| 00:04:17 |
from nonessential tasks |
| 00:04:19 |
to parts of the body |
| 00:04:20 |
that can mean the difference |
| 00:04:23 |
Blood floods their muscles |
| 00:04:26 |
l n a burst of strength, the |
| 00:04:30 |
but the fire storm |
| 00:04:33 |
Their bodies |
| 00:04:38 |
But their brains |
| 00:04:42 |
When time |
| 00:04:44 |
the human brain |
| 00:04:47 |
lt appears to slow time itself' |
| 00:04:50 |
creating precious moments |
| 00:04:56 |
We've puzzled over this |
| 00:05:00 |
To help understand the effect' |
| 00:05:04 |
as they made |
| 00:05:06 |
from a platform 1 50 feet high. |
| 00:05:11 |
They were given a display which, |
| 00:05:14 |
moved too fast to read. |
| 00:05:16 |
But perhaps a brain under stress |
| 00:05:18 |
could slow the numbers enough |
| 00:05:30 |
[ Screams ] |
| 00:05:33 |
NARRATOR: For all the jumpers, |
| 00:05:36 |
almost twice as long |
| 00:05:39 |
l ncredibly, some were able to |
| 00:05:45 |
One explanation |
| 00:05:47 |
in a series of snapshots. |
| 00:05:50 |
About 30 frames a second. |
| 00:05:53 |
l n an emergency, |
| 00:05:56 |
letting the brain take in |
| 00:06:02 |
The effect slows time. |
| 00:06:10 |
As the flames near' |
| 00:06:11 |
the firefighters' brains are |
| 00:06:16 |
Seconds feel like hours, |
| 00:06:19 |
giving them a chance |
| 00:06:22 |
JORDAN: Feels like things |
| 00:06:25 |
You have time to think about it' |
| 00:06:27 |
that you ran through, |
| 00:06:30 |
Should we go upcanyon? Should |
| 00:06:34 |
NARRATOR: |
| 00:06:35 |
the team can assess |
| 00:06:42 |
They agree to stop |
| 00:06:47 |
MAN: |
| 00:06:48 |
NARRATOR: |
| 00:06:50 |
JORDAN: You heard that fire, |
| 00:06:53 |
and you knew |
| 00:06:55 |
and you're relying on this |
| 00:06:58 |
You just -- |
| 00:07:00 |
You couldn't believe |
| 00:07:02 |
MAN: Come in! |
| 00:07:05 |
Talk to me! |
| 00:07:07 |
You hang in there! |
| 00:07:28 |
After that fire passed, |
| 00:07:29 |
some people |
| 00:07:32 |
and excited from the situation, |
| 00:07:35 |
and some people were very quiet |
| 00:07:38 |
and kind of in shock |
| 00:07:40 |
wondering, |
| 00:07:42 |
Now l'm crawling out |
| 00:07:43 |
that l maybe |
| 00:07:47 |
NARRATOR: |
| 00:07:48 |
shows where the team |
| 00:07:52 |
Each dot marks |
| 00:07:55 |
All around, desolation. |
| 00:07:59 |
This extraordinary |
| 00:08:02 |
in the brainpower |
| 00:08:05 |
Our brain controls |
| 00:08:10 |
even our taste in food. |
| 00:08:16 |
Our urge to eat |
| 00:08:24 |
A walnut-sized lump of tissue |
| 00:08:28 |
We are only just starting to |
| 00:08:33 |
Above all, it wants to feed. |
| 00:08:38 |
No organ is hungrier |
| 00:08:41 |
lt consumes nearly 1 /5 |
| 00:08:44 |
But the want center responds |
| 00:08:46 |
to the needs of the whole body |
| 00:08:48 |
including vitamins |
| 00:08:51 |
When the body |
| 00:08:53 |
the brain drives us |
| 00:08:56 |
to fill the gap, |
| 00:08:58 |
as yachtsman Steve Callahan |
| 00:09:05 |
Steve's boat sank' |
| 00:09:10 |
He needed a miracle. |
| 00:09:14 |
CALLAHAN: l was basically in the |
| 00:09:17 |
l knew l was a long way away |
| 00:09:19 |
from any kind of possibility |
| 00:09:21 |
l put my chances of survival |
| 00:09:30 |
[ Grunts ] |
| 00:09:32 |
NARRATOR: When his rations |
| 00:09:37 |
Fish were plentiful. |
| 00:09:39 |
He wouldn't go hungry. |
| 00:09:41 |
But he had a big problem. |
| 00:09:43 |
lt's rich in protein, |
| 00:09:45 |
but fish flesh |
| 00:09:48 |
that the human body needs. |
| 00:09:50 |
On a flesh-only diet' Steve's |
| 00:09:54 |
lt would shut down and die. |
| 00:09:59 |
What he doesn't realize |
| 00:10:02 |
does contain the nutrients |
| 00:10:05 |
They're just in parts |
| 00:10:12 |
As his body |
| 00:10:14 |
Steve finds his tastes |
| 00:10:19 |
CALLAHAN: l was less and less |
| 00:10:22 |
and more and more interested |
| 00:10:26 |
and the little plates |
| 00:10:30 |
and fresh fish liver |
| 00:10:33 |
Basically ate almost all |
| 00:10:36 |
with the exception |
| 00:10:39 |
NARRATOR: Unconsciously, |
| 00:10:41 |
Steve consumes the nutrients |
| 00:10:46 |
Only now are we working out |
| 00:10:48 |
why a man could eat |
| 00:10:50 |
what he'd normally |
| 00:10:57 |
Realizing something's missing |
| 00:11:00 |
his want center generates |
| 00:11:05 |
...driving him to eat anything |
| 00:11:11 |
This survival instinct |
| 00:11:14 |
to try anything |
| 00:11:18 |
to the point |
| 00:11:29 |
Chili peppers, |
| 00:11:31 |
evolved a flavor |
| 00:11:35 |
That flavor |
| 00:11:37 |
that burns our mouths. |
| 00:11:40 |
Even so, we eat them. |
| 00:11:44 |
That's because our brain |
| 00:11:46 |
knows survival can depend |
| 00:11:51 |
A red chili contains |
| 00:11:54 |
that's in an orange. |
| 00:11:55 |
So that we can absorb |
| 00:11:58 |
our brain has learned |
| 00:12:02 |
Eating chilies bombards |
| 00:12:05 |
l n response, |
| 00:12:09 |
natural painkillers that induce |
| 00:12:15 |
The chilies' heat activates |
| 00:12:18 |
lt stores the memory that' |
| 00:12:21 |
chilies are rich in nutrients |
| 00:12:25 |
DR. H EBER: |
| 00:12:27 |
the initial pain |
| 00:12:29 |
the endorphins then become |
| 00:12:31 |
So, people actually |
| 00:12:33 |
things they're |
| 00:12:35 |
like chili peppers, |
| 00:12:37 |
NARRATOR: To keep Steve Callahan |
| 00:12:41 |
his brain uses a similar tactic. |
| 00:12:45 |
Triggering |
| 00:12:47 |
whenever he digests |
| 00:12:50 |
his brain transformed fish parts |
| 00:12:53 |
into delicious treats. |
| 00:12:55 |
CALLAHAN: lt's like my body |
| 00:12:58 |
"You need this physically "' |
| 00:13:01 |
l wasn't eating fresh fish liver |
| 00:13:07 |
but because my mind was telling |
| 00:13:09 |
That's dessert." |
| 00:13:13 |
NARRATOR: Steve Callahan |
| 00:13:17 |
Steered by his brain, not only |
| 00:13:22 |
he's eaten his way |
| 00:13:29 |
The brain's power over diet |
| 00:13:34 |
So powerful that scientists |
| 00:13:37 |
against one of the strongest |
| 00:13:41 |
They fitted volunteers |
| 00:13:44 |
to record brain activity. |
| 00:13:50 |
Then they compared how |
| 00:13:52 |
when we eat chocolate... |
| 00:13:54 |
and when we kiss. |
| 00:13:58 |
Not surprisingly, |
| 00:14:00 |
when couples kissed, |
| 00:14:04 |
But kissing couldn't touch |
| 00:14:07 |
when chocolate hit the tongue. |
| 00:14:10 |
That pleasure was more intense |
| 00:14:16 |
Our obsession with eating makes |
| 00:14:20 |
During most of human history, |
| 00:14:25 |
That experience drives us |
| 00:14:28 |
and store nutrients |
| 00:14:31 |
But even when food |
| 00:14:34 |
our brain has a response. |
| 00:14:37 |
The want center' |
| 00:14:40 |
has instructions |
| 00:14:44 |
This cell bundle saved |
| 00:14:53 |
He expected |
| 00:14:56 |
lt became the greatest challenge |
| 00:15:06 |
[ Snap ] |
| 00:15:07 |
[ Screams ] |
| 00:15:13 |
NARRATOR: |
| 00:15:15 |
is the human brain's |
| 00:15:17 |
The want center |
| 00:15:21 |
when food ran out. |
| 00:15:23 |
Now it's Jean-Luc Josuat's |
| 00:15:30 |
l n animals, |
| 00:15:32 |
evolved around the time |
| 00:15:34 |
before mam mals existed. |
| 00:15:38 |
lt's hardwired |
| 00:15:45 |
For three days, Jean-Luc |
| 00:15:48 |
He hasn't had a morsel to eat. |
| 00:15:51 |
He doesn't know it' |
| 00:15:52 |
but his brain is changing |
| 00:15:55 |
and how he behaves. |
| 00:15:57 |
DR. H EBER: There are a couple |
| 00:15:59 |
that regulate feeding behavior |
| 00:16:02 |
They're in different parts |
| 00:16:03 |
of the central part of the brain |
| 00:16:06 |
And in that part of the brain, |
| 00:16:09 |
to eat almost anything |
| 00:16:10 |
to try to stop yourself |
| 00:16:15 |
NARRATOR: To drive Jean-Luc's |
| 00:16:18 |
his brain first releases |
| 00:16:22 |
Orexin. |
| 00:16:24 |
Orexin comes in tiny doses, |
| 00:16:29 |
This hormone |
| 00:16:32 |
improves our muscle efficiency, |
| 00:16:35 |
lt even sharpens |
| 00:16:40 |
For days, |
| 00:16:48 |
He finds water |
| 00:16:50 |
He starts to fear the worst. |
| 00:16:53 |
[ Speaking French ] |
| 00:16:56 |
l NTERPRETER: Even if |
| 00:16:58 |
l thought obsessively |
| 00:17:00 |
over the last few days |
| 00:17:05 |
lt was a big question, |
| 00:17:09 |
Was it going to be cold |
| 00:17:12 |
lt was a question |
| 00:17:17 |
NARRATOR: Sure that he's doomed, |
| 00:17:23 |
But as hope fades, Jean-Luc's |
| 00:17:26 |
to help him survive |
| 00:17:32 |
With his fuel stores depleted, |
| 00:17:34 |
his body becomes |
| 00:17:38 |
lt makes him slow down. |
| 00:17:43 |
Now his muscles use less energy. |
| 00:17:46 |
So do all his internal organs. |
| 00:17:53 |
New cells grow more slowly. |
| 00:17:56 |
Nonessentials -- |
| 00:18:00 |
hardly grow at all. |
| 00:18:02 |
Jean-Luc is entering |
| 00:18:04 |
that evolved |
| 00:18:07 |
until they could get to food. |
| 00:18:10 |
This enforced efficiency, |
| 00:18:12 |
which kicks in |
| 00:18:14 |
may have bigger implications. |
| 00:18:18 |
Some say it could help us all |
| 00:18:22 |
l n a recent trial, |
| 00:18:24 |
researchers compared |
| 00:18:27 |
to those fed a normal diet. |
| 00:18:30 |
Surprisingly, |
| 00:18:33 |
the longer they lived. |
| 00:18:35 |
Some animals' |
| 00:18:39 |
Based on these findings, |
| 00:18:41 |
some people drastically cut |
| 00:18:44 |
hoping to live longer. |
| 00:18:46 |
The average American adult |
| 00:18:48 |
consumes almost 4,000 calories |
| 00:18:52 |
Brian Delaney eats half that. |
| 00:18:55 |
He's trying to fool his brain |
| 00:18:57 |
into staying in superefficient |
| 00:19:00 |
Right now, l take in |
| 00:19:05 |
At the most strict' |
| 00:19:07 |
l was eating |
| 00:19:14 |
NARRATOR: |
| 00:19:16 |
this could slow |
| 00:19:19 |
lt seems to work. |
| 00:19:22 |
When people who slash |
| 00:19:24 |
were compared |
| 00:19:27 |
the dieters' hearts resembled |
| 00:19:33 |
DELAN EY: The heart is actually |
| 00:19:38 |
We know that calorie restriction |
| 00:19:42 |
and, in some respects, |
| 00:19:45 |
NARRATOR: |
| 00:19:47 |
may help people like Brian |
| 00:19:53 |
Right now, a starved brain is |
| 00:19:59 |
But he's gone three weeks |
| 00:20:02 |
more than even his slowed |
| 00:20:06 |
Jean-Luc's brain adopts |
| 00:20:11 |
His brain orders Jean-Luc's body |
| 00:20:17 |
A hormone from his brain |
| 00:20:20 |
triggering the release |
| 00:20:22 |
These chemicals have already |
| 00:20:26 |
Now they start |
| 00:20:29 |
Jean-Luc's muscles, |
| 00:20:35 |
DR. H EBER: So, a typical |
| 00:20:37 |
would have 1 30,000 to |
| 00:20:41 |
only about 54,000 calories |
| 00:20:44 |
and only half |
| 00:20:47 |
is available for energy, |
| 00:20:48 |
because once you've lost half |
| 00:20:51 |
it's no longer compatible |
| 00:20:54 |
NARRATOR: |
| 00:20:55 |
when your body consumes |
| 00:20:58 |
the game is up. |
| 00:21:01 |
But a brain desperate for fuel |
| 00:21:08 |
lt will even sanction |
| 00:21:10 |
to keep itself going. |
| 00:21:13 |
DR. H EBER: So you have to start |
| 00:21:15 |
in your body -- |
| 00:21:18 |
to produce the sugar |
| 00:21:20 |
that's needed by the brain |
| 00:21:23 |
NARRATOR: |
| 00:21:26 |
his brain's high-risk strategy |
| 00:21:28 |
35 days after he was trapped, |
| 00:21:32 |
searchers find him only |
| 00:21:38 |
His ordeal cost him over |
| 00:21:42 |
but his brain is just fine. |
| 00:21:45 |
[ Speaking French ] |
| 00:21:47 |
l NTERPRETER: |
| 00:21:49 |
l think that everyone has |
| 00:21:53 |
but it's just when one faces |
| 00:21:56 |
that one really discovers it. |
| 00:22:00 |
AN NOU NCER: |
| 00:22:02 |
Happy Memorial Day, everybody! |
| 00:22:07 |
NARRATOR: The brain works |
| 00:22:10 |
digesting reams of information, |
| 00:22:13 |
and never more |
| 00:22:15 |
MAN: Back it down! Back it down! |
| 00:22:20 |
NARRATOR: The brain |
| 00:22:23 |
that keep us alive. |
| 00:22:29 |
And it has to do that faster |
| 00:22:33 |
processing an astonishing |
| 00:22:36 |
every second. |
| 00:22:41 |
As any central processing unit |
| 00:22:48 |
Without cooling, |
| 00:22:50 |
lts internal temperature |
| 00:22:53 |
every five minutes. |
| 00:22:55 |
1 0 minutes without cooling |
| 00:22:59 |
20 minutes |
| 00:23:01 |
And after 50 minutes, |
| 00:23:03 |
if the brain is 1 0 degrees |
| 00:23:09 |
Because our brain |
| 00:23:11 |
its main duty |
| 00:23:14 |
Few settings test the brain's |
| 00:23:17 |
than the blast-furnace world |
| 00:23:21 |
A split-second hesitation |
| 00:23:24 |
BOWYER: |
| 00:23:26 |
to keep your brain cool |
| 00:23:29 |
You know, it's no different than |
| 00:23:32 |
lf we don't keep them cool, |
| 00:23:33 |
and they'll blow up eventually, |
| 00:23:38 |
We won't blow up, but we don't |
| 00:23:43 |
NARRATOR: The drivers |
| 00:23:46 |
of white-knuckle, all-out speed. |
| 00:23:50 |
On the track' the temperature |
| 00:23:57 |
l nside those 850-horsepower |
| 00:24:02 |
PETERSON: Driver is working |
| 00:24:05 |
He's generating heat himself |
| 00:24:08 |
of steering and braking |
| 00:24:10 |
But then you have the added |
| 00:24:12 |
generating heat |
| 00:24:14 |
So, typically, we see cockpit |
| 00:24:20 |
NARRATOR: |
| 00:24:21 |
our brain needs |
| 00:24:25 |
Our body's cooling system |
| 00:24:31 |
We've got a radiator system |
| 00:24:35 |
that's circulated |
| 00:24:37 |
You got airflow, which comes in |
| 00:24:39 |
lt circulates through the core |
| 00:24:42 |
And you have airflow that goes |
| 00:24:44 |
and the rest of the engine |
| 00:24:52 |
NARRATOR: |
| 00:24:54 |
The brain uses blood, |
| 00:24:56 |
which carries heat |
| 00:24:58 |
As sweat evaporates, |
| 00:25:02 |
The forehead and face |
| 00:25:06 |
They have many sweat glands, |
| 00:25:11 |
NASCAR drivers have fresh air |
| 00:25:15 |
to enhance the cooling effect. |
| 00:25:19 |
The rest of the body |
| 00:25:23 |
Tl PTON: |
| 00:25:25 |
say, driving a racing car' |
| 00:25:26 |
you have to wear |
| 00:25:28 |
that's gonna protect you in |
| 00:25:32 |
Sweating in that situation |
| 00:25:35 |
'cause it's absorbed |
| 00:25:36 |
Eventually, the surface |
| 00:25:39 |
and that will evaporate. |
| 00:25:42 |
NARRATOR: |
| 00:25:44 |
sweat saturates |
| 00:25:46 |
This keeps perspiration |
| 00:25:51 |
But even after 2 1 0 laps, |
| 00:25:53 |
when the cars' interiors |
| 00:25:56 |
the drivers must still perform |
| 00:25:59 |
BOWYER: Out on the racetrack' |
| 00:26:02 |
hitting your mark within |
| 00:26:05 |
every time you go off in |
| 00:26:08 |
So, you really have to be |
| 00:26:11 |
on the racetrack' |
| 00:26:12 |
and you can't do that if you're |
| 00:26:20 |
NARRATOR: |
| 00:26:22 |
exactly how our brain maintains |
| 00:26:25 |
under such conditions. |
| 00:26:27 |
One controversial theory says |
| 00:26:32 |
The brain is such |
| 00:26:34 |
that there are |
| 00:26:37 |
and facilities there |
| 00:26:38 |
to try and maintain |
| 00:26:42 |
There are those that would argue |
| 00:26:46 |
that allows us to have |
| 00:26:52 |
NARRATOR: |
| 00:26:54 |
blood cooled by a sweating face |
| 00:26:57 |
runs close to arteries |
| 00:27:02 |
That lowers the temperature |
| 00:27:08 |
Considering the brain's |
| 00:27:11 |
of blood vessels, |
| 00:27:12 |
this may be how the core |
| 00:27:22 |
After 5 hours and 600 miles, |
| 00:27:25 |
the drivers cross the line |
| 00:27:29 |
Yeah! |
| 00:27:31 |
l like driving |
| 00:27:33 |
AN NOU NCER: He's out of gas, |
| 00:27:37 |
MAN: |
| 00:27:38 |
NARRATOR: |
| 00:27:39 |
thanks to the brain's |
| 00:27:42 |
even in the swelter |
| 00:27:55 |
Of all that goes on |
| 00:27:58 |
the biggest mystery surrounds |
| 00:28:05 |
One surprise is that at night' |
| 00:28:08 |
your brain is as busy |
| 00:28:13 |
The brain's first job |
| 00:28:20 |
As night falls, |
| 00:28:24 |
triggers release |
| 00:28:28 |
Melatonin. |
| 00:28:29 |
Acting on |
| 00:28:33 |
melatonin makes us drowsy. |
| 00:28:36 |
But as the body slows, |
| 00:28:41 |
Every night' |
| 00:28:48 |
Brain cells that have worked |
| 00:28:52 |
Chemicals clean up |
| 00:28:54 |
of brain-cell activity, |
| 00:28:56 |
and, in some parts, |
| 00:28:59 |
Without this internal |
| 00:29:03 |
the brain couldn't maintain |
| 00:29:07 |
lf we stay awake too long, |
| 00:29:09 |
our brain knocks us out' |
| 00:29:15 |
That's what happened to explorer |
| 00:29:20 |
when he attempted |
| 00:29:21 |
a record-breaking solo balloon |
| 00:29:31 |
David planned to sleep briefly |
| 00:29:33 |
during the 1,500-mile journey. |
| 00:29:37 |
But he didn't stick |
| 00:29:40 |
The first couple days, |
| 00:29:43 |
and, you know, |
| 00:29:47 |
You know, l'm not too bad for |
| 00:29:52 |
NARRATOR: |
| 00:29:54 |
the balloonist's thought center |
| 00:29:57 |
H EMPLEMAN-ADAMS: Going into |
| 00:30:00 |
l was making silly mistakes. |
| 00:30:02 |
[ l ndistinct radio chatter ] |
| 00:30:09 |
Okay, what's the new track? |
| 00:30:11 |
[ Chatter continues ] |
| 00:30:19 |
You're going too fast. |
| 00:30:23 |
When l would call up |
| 00:30:25 |
they would give me a track' |
| 00:30:27 |
and l'd repeat it three |
| 00:30:30 |
And they'd go, "No, no, no. |
| 00:30:32 |
What are you, stupid? |
| 00:30:34 |
And so, you realize |
| 00:30:38 |
[ Chatter continues ] |
| 00:30:39 |
NARRATOR: |
| 00:30:42 |
without letting sleep |
| 00:30:48 |
Sensing a crisis, the brain |
| 00:30:52 |
lt shuts down areas |
| 00:30:56 |
including the thought center' |
| 00:31:01 |
David soon |
| 00:31:05 |
When you get very, very tired, |
| 00:31:10 |
The worst thing about tiredness |
| 00:31:14 |
Disorientation. |
| 00:31:16 |
l had a little rubber duck' and |
| 00:31:19 |
[ Chuckles ] |
| 00:31:20 |
You just do |
| 00:31:23 |
Say "hi." |
| 00:31:25 |
"Hi." |
| 00:31:28 |
NARRATOR: 88 hours in, |
| 00:31:35 |
To avoid permanent harm, |
| 00:31:36 |
his brain pulls the plug, |
| 00:31:42 |
Now, in the extreme when you |
| 00:31:45 |
your brain will shut you down, |
| 00:31:48 |
Even in a life-threatening |
| 00:31:50 |
if your brain needs sleep |
| 00:31:56 |
NARRATOR: The balloon |
| 00:31:59 |
Even though he's asleep, |
| 00:32:07 |
As we sleep, the part of the |
| 00:32:12 |
which is why alarm clocks |
| 00:32:15 |
ROSEKl N D: |
| 00:32:17 |
we're actually still vigilant |
| 00:32:21 |
So, your brain is still on, |
| 00:32:22 |
and you know |
| 00:32:23 |
[ Alarm ringing ] |
| 00:32:25 |
NARRATOR: When the balloon |
| 00:32:28 |
the autopilot |
| 00:32:30 |
David's emergency response |
| 00:32:35 |
His groggy impulse is to try |
| 00:32:40 |
by climbing from the basket. |
| 00:32:43 |
[ Wind howling ] |
| 00:32:45 |
l n the wild, this survival |
| 00:32:49 |
But thousands of feet up, |
| 00:32:52 |
it almost brings disaster. |
| 00:32:55 |
H EMPLEMAN-ADAMS: |
| 00:32:57 |
that you realize where you were |
| 00:33:01 |
getting back into the basket' |
| 00:33:03 |
l remember just shaking, |
| 00:33:10 |
That was the closest l've ever |
| 00:33:15 |
NARRATOR: |
| 00:33:18 |
was enough to get him |
| 00:33:26 |
He was able to complete |
| 00:33:35 |
H EMPLEMAN-ADAMS: You realize now |
| 00:33:39 |
and if you don't sleep, |
| 00:33:41 |
And not die |
| 00:33:42 |
but die because |
| 00:33:44 |
which will cause an accident' |
| 00:33:45 |
and that's what l learned |
| 00:33:50 |
NARRATOR: Sleep means more than |
| 00:33:55 |
lt also lets the brain treat us |
| 00:33:57 |
to spellbindingly |
| 00:34:01 |
Our minds are screens |
| 00:34:06 |
No one can know for sure |
| 00:34:07 |
why we have these mystifying |
| 00:34:11 |
Some say dreams let us unlock |
| 00:34:17 |
Our brains may buzz |
| 00:34:20 |
but there's a time while we |
| 00:34:25 |
lt's when our body |
| 00:34:29 |
when practically every area |
| 00:34:32 |
That's when we dream. |
| 00:34:34 |
But there's only one part |
| 00:34:38 |
Our logic center. |
| 00:34:41 |
Unrestricted by reason, |
| 00:34:43 |
our dreaming brain can wander |
| 00:34:47 |
that it creates. |
| 00:34:49 |
lt's a human potential |
| 00:34:53 |
which are like a virtual world |
| 00:34:55 |
in which we can simulate |
| 00:34:59 |
NARRATOR: |
| 00:35:01 |
our eyes flicker wildly |
| 00:35:05 |
hence the term |
| 00:35:07 |
or "REM" sleep. |
| 00:35:09 |
During REM sleep, |
| 00:35:12 |
that blood flow to it |
| 00:35:16 |
So that we can't |
| 00:35:19 |
our brain sends signals |
| 00:35:21 |
temporarily paralyzing |
| 00:35:24 |
lt may feel as if we dream |
| 00:35:26 |
but we dream in bursts, |
| 00:35:32 |
Yet in a lifetime, |
| 00:35:40 |
Dreams do more |
| 00:35:43 |
They are part of the job |
| 00:35:49 |
Only at rest can the brain |
| 00:35:53 |
discarding useless details. |
| 00:35:56 |
SALEM l: |
| 00:35:58 |
it's almost like |
| 00:36:00 |
that your brain is going through |
| 00:36:01 |
these random bits |
| 00:36:03 |
filing away the things |
| 00:36:05 |
and discarding the things |
| 00:36:13 |
NARRATOR: Events occurring |
| 00:36:15 |
are only stored |
| 00:36:18 |
l n dreams, we throw away |
| 00:36:23 |
and file useful information |
| 00:36:29 |
ROSEKl N D: When you |
| 00:36:31 |
especially during |
| 00:36:33 |
that's when your memories |
| 00:36:35 |
That's when you learn |
| 00:36:36 |
lt's very clear that if you |
| 00:36:39 |
you're gonna do better |
| 00:36:40 |
As opposed to |
| 00:36:42 |
"Let's stay awake cram ming |
| 00:36:44 |
That sleep is critical |
| 00:36:46 |
NARRATOR: But the sorting |
| 00:36:52 |
With no logic to impose order' |
| 00:36:55 |
thoughts can collide, |
| 00:36:57 |
unleashing creativity, |
| 00:37:01 |
This may explain |
| 00:37:06 |
Einstein's dream of traveling |
| 00:37:10 |
influenced his theory |
| 00:37:13 |
Nobel Prize winner Niels Bohr |
| 00:37:17 |
when a dream of horses offered |
| 00:37:22 |
And artist Salvador Dali |
| 00:37:26 |
as handpainted |
| 00:37:29 |
Dreaming pays off' |
| 00:37:33 |
even for space technologists. |
| 00:37:37 |
While dreaming, |
| 00:37:40 |
cracked a problem that had |
| 00:37:43 |
How to build |
| 00:37:47 |
DAMER: |
| 00:37:49 |
How do you shield astronauts |
| 00:37:52 |
How do you have them |
| 00:37:55 |
maybe get oxygen out of |
| 00:37:58 |
And so l basically absorbed |
| 00:38:02 |
And then one night' |
| 00:38:05 |
"Okay, everything's in there. |
| 00:38:09 |
Boot up the dream processor |
| 00:38:16 |
NARRATOR: |
| 00:38:19 |
Bruce found his answer. |
| 00:38:23 |
Robots, sent in a space vehicle, |
| 00:38:27 |
could land on the moon |
| 00:38:31 |
even before astronauts |
| 00:38:36 |
When he woke, |
| 00:38:39 |
and the people at NASA |
| 00:38:42 |
DAMER: |
| 00:38:45 |
who have written reports |
| 00:38:49 |
and how forward-thinking it is, |
| 00:38:50 |
and l credit this to sort of |
| 00:39:00 |
NARRATOR: The challenge is not |
| 00:39:06 |
We may be able to harness |
| 00:39:10 |
by using a technique |
| 00:39:13 |
LABERGE: |
| 00:39:16 |
when you're in a dream |
| 00:39:19 |
and you start to wonder' |
| 00:39:22 |
Why are you floating |
| 00:39:24 |
How do you do that? |
| 00:39:29 |
NARRATOR: The key is to learn |
| 00:39:32 |
without waking. |
| 00:39:36 |
The next step is to take the |
| 00:39:41 |
To help, Stephen Laberge |
| 00:39:46 |
l nside, sensors detect |
| 00:39:49 |
The mask flashes a light |
| 00:39:51 |
bright enough to pass through |
| 00:39:54 |
but not bright enough |
| 00:39:56 |
lt's a gentle signal |
| 00:39:59 |
With practice, |
| 00:40:01 |
you can steer |
| 00:40:04 |
guiding your mind |
| 00:40:07 |
LABERGE: There are many |
| 00:40:10 |
of this dream. |
| 00:40:11 |
For example, |
| 00:40:12 |
want a new painting idea' |
| 00:40:15 |
you walk into the next room |
| 00:40:17 |
that there will be a new |
| 00:40:20 |
And what do you know? |
| 00:40:24 |
NARRATOR: Managing dreams |
| 00:40:28 |
to influence what's normally |
| 00:40:32 |
Our brain. |
| 00:40:36 |
There's no more complex |
| 00:40:39 |
than the human brain. |
| 00:40:42 |
lt runs our lives, |
| 00:40:46 |
often pushing us in directions |
| 00:40:50 |
A 3-pound universe |
| 00:40:53 |
whose mysteries we are only |
| 00:40:56 |
lt's a journey |
| 00:41:00 |
that could unlock potential |
| 00:41:03 |
pushing our bodies |
