The Secret You

With the help of a hammer-wielding scientist, Jennifer Aniston and a general anaesthetic, Professor Marcus du Sautoy goes in search of answers to one of science's greatest mysteries: how do we know who we are? While the thoughts that make us feel as though we know ourselves are easy to experience, they are notoriously difficult to explain. So, in order to find out where they come from, Marcus subjects himself to a series of probing experiments. He learns at what age our self-awareness emerges and whether other species share this trait. Next, he has his mind scrambled by a cutting-edge experiment in anaesthesia. Having survived that ordeal, Marcus is given an out-of-body experience in a bid to locate his true self. And in Hollywood, he learns how celebrities are helping scientists understand the microscopic activities of our brain. Finally, he takes part in a mind-reading experiment that both helps explain and radically alters his understanding of who he is.

Other episodes for this season

Do I Drink Too Much?
Episode 1 - Do I Drink Too Much?
The Secret You
Episode 2 - The Secret You
Fix Me
Episode 3 - Fix Me
Who's Afraid of a Big Black Hole?
Episode 4 - Who's Afraid of a Big Bla...
Why Do We Talk?
Episode 5 - Why Do We Talk?
How Long is a Piece of String?
Episode 6 - How Long is a Piece of St...
The Secret Life of the Dog
Episode 7 - The Secret Life of the Do...
Why Do Viruses Kill?
Episode 8 - Why Do Viruses Kill?
Pill Poppers
Episode 9 - Pill Poppers
Don't Grow Old
Episode 10 - Don't Grow Old
To Infinity and Beyond
Episode 11 - To Infinity and Beyond
What Makes a Genius?
Episode 12 - What Makes a Genius?
Did Cooking Make Us Human?
Episode 13 - Did Cooking Make Us Human...
Is Everything We Know About the Universe Wrong?
Episode 14 - Is Everything We Know Abo...