Épisodes

  • Are You Still Here? The Out-Of-Body Experience (What Is It?)

    Are You Still Here? The Out-Of-Body Experience (What Is It?)
    Oct 22 2026
    Out-of-body experiences, explained by neuroscience.

    Why does the brain sometimes make you feel like you're floating above your body?

    In this episode of Altered, I look at brain stimulation cases, the temporoparietal junction, virtual reality body illusions, fighter pilot G-LOC, sleep paralysis, ketamine, and near-death reports.

    It starts with a 2002 case published in Nature, where a gentle electrical pulse to one spot in a woman's brain made her feel she was floating near the ceiling, looking down at her own legs.

    From there we ask a bigger question: what if the feeling of being inside your body is something your brain builds moment to moment, and what if it can come apart? I try to be fair to both sides.

    The skeptics have strong arguments, and some of the stories are genuinely hard to wave away. Have you ever had an out-of-body experience?

    Tell me about it in the comments. Stay curious, go out and do great things.

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/altered--2756434/support.

    If you enjoyed this episode, the best way to support the show is to subscribe, leave a rating or review, and share it with someone who might find it interesting. You can find new episodes, links, and more at robbcast.com. Just a quick note: this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing here is medical advice, and exploring altered states always comes with real risks and responsibilities. Until next time — stay curious.
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    33 min
  • What Actually Happens When You Die? (The Final Minutes)

    What Actually Happens When You Die? (The Final Minutes)
    Oct 14 2026
    Examine the physiology of near-death experiences and how the brain reacts when oxygen supply is abruptly cut off.

    We explore the critical window of brain function when the heart stops, causing rapid depletion of fuel and oxygen. This analysis investigates the biological mechanisms at play during the moments of clinical death, moving past speculation to look at the high energy demands that sustain our cognitive processes. It is for those interested in the physiological reality of the dying process.

    By observing the relationship between cerebral metabolism and the cessation of vital signs, we can better grasp the limits of human consciousness. We break down the clinical sequence of events that occur as neural activity falters, providing a clearer picture of what happens at the boundary of life. This inquiry bridges the gap between medical reality and the subjective accounts often reported during these critical moments.

    Subscribe for weekly explorations of the human mind, and comment below on your perspective regarding the nature of the near-death experience.

    If you enjoyed this episode, the best way to support the show is to subscribe, leave a rating or review, and share it with someone who might find it interesting. You can find new episodes, links, and more at robbcast.com. Just a quick note: this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing here is medical advice, and exploring altered states always comes with real risks and responsibilities. Until next time — stay curious.
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    37 min
  • Ibogaine: Everything You Need to Know About the Pros and Cons

    Ibogaine: Everything You Need to Know About the Pros and Cons
    Oct 6 2026
    Opioid withdrawal symptoms may be significantly reduced by a compound derived from a traditional, yet dangerous, root. This substance, a potent rainforest shrub root, has been used in ceremonial contexts for centuries.

    We examine the intersection of these botanical compounds and modern medical inquiry to understand how this root interacts with the human body. By analyzing the evidence from recent clinical trials, we look at the potential for therapeutic application and the inherent risks of such a treatment.

    This inquiry is for those interested in the relationship between historical plant knowledge and the physiological reality of addiction. We also consider the nature of opioid withdrawal when viewed through the lens of modern pharmacology.

    Subscribe for weekly explorations of the human mind, and comment below on your perspective regarding the future of addiction research.

    If you enjoyed this episode, the best way to support the show is to subscribe, leave a rating or review, and share it with someone who might find it interesting. You can find new episodes, links, and more at robbcast.com. Just a quick note: this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing here is medical advice, and exploring altered states always comes with real risks and responsibilities. Until next time — stay curious.
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    26 min
  • Where Did You Go? What Really Happens Under Anesthesia?

    Where Did You Go? What Really Happens Under Anesthesia?
    Sep 25 2026
    Examine the mechanics of anesthesia and what happens to the mind when it is rendered unconscious during surgery. We explore the transition between wakefulness and induced sedation.

    By observing the sequence of medical procedures from prep to procedure, we consider the architecture of the mind under clinical control. It is for those interested in the intersection of biological science and the subjective experience of being put under.

    We break down the clinical reality of anesthesia and how it alters our perception of time and self. By analyzing the patient experience, we can better grasp the cognitive processes that define our internal reality when the body is undergoing a major surgical experience.

    This inquiry bridges the gap between physiological monitoring and the loss of human consciousness. Subscribe for weekly explorations of the human mind, and comment below on your perspective regarding the nature of medical sedation.

    If you enjoyed this episode, the best way to support the show is to subscribe, leave a rating or review, and share it with someone who might find it interesting. You can find new episodes, links, and more at robbcast.com. Just a quick note: this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing here is medical advice, and exploring altered states always comes with real risks and responsibilities. Until next time — stay curious.
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    29 min
  • The Ancient Rituals They Don’t Want You To Know About

    The Ancient Rituals They Don’t Want You To Know About
    Sep 18 2026
    Explore the intersection of Ancient Greece and early ritual practices. We analyze the historical evidence behind these ceremonies.

    The podcast traces a path from the iconography of historical processions to the study of early spiritual traditions. By examining archaeological artifacts and contemporary accounts, we consider how specific substances may have influenced the religious experiences of the time. This inquiry bridges the gap between historical record and subjective interpretation.

    Our investigation into psychedelic history focuses on the possibility of ritualized botanical use as a catalyst for insight. We move through the evidence—from ancient imagery to modern scientific inquiry—to understand the nature of this mystical journey. This is for those interested in the cultural frameworks that have shaped human perception of the sacred throughout history.

    Subscribe for weekly explorations of the human mind and the traditions that shape our reality.

    If you enjoyed this episode, the best way to support the show is to subscribe, leave a rating or review, and share it with someone who might find it interesting. You can find new episodes, links, and more at robbcast.com. Just a quick note: this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing here is medical advice, and exploring altered states always comes with real risks and responsibilities. Until next time — stay curious.
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    50 min
  • The Truth About Hypnosis: What They Won't Tell You

    The Truth About Hypnosis: What They Won't Tell You
    Sep 10 2026
    Explore the mechanics of human consciousness through abstract imagery and the complex inner workings of the mind.

    This visual analysis examines how we visualize abstract knowledge. By observing symbols like mechanical gears and cosmic landscapes, we consider the architecture of thought. It is for those interested in the bridge between philosophy and the nature of cognition.

    We break down how human consciousness processes complex ideas, moving beyond literal interpretation to understand the subconscious mind. By analyzing these surreal representations, we can better grasp the cognitive processes that define our internal reality.

    Subscribe for weekly explorations of the human mind, and comment below on which aspects of consciousness you find most fascinating.

    If you enjoyed this episode, the best way to support the show is to subscribe, leave a rating or review, and share it with someone who might find it interesting. You can find new episodes, links, and more at robbcast.com. Just a quick note: this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing here is medical advice, and exploring altered states always comes with real risks and responsibilities. Until next time — stay curious.
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    33 min
  • Can We Prove What Consciousness Really Is?

    Can We Prove What Consciousness Really Is?
    Sep 3 2026
    Can large language models ever achieve consciousness? We explore the biological binding problem and the nature of subjective experience.

    This video examines how our brains integrate sensory information to create a unified sense of self. By comparing neural networks to artificial intelligence, we analyze whether machine learning systems might eventually simulate human awareness or if there is a fundamental gap that technology cannot bridge. We look at the latest theories regarding brain function and the broader cosmos to determine if consciousness is a biological accident or a universal property.

    Understanding the binding problem is essential for anyone interested in the intersection of neuroscience and computer science. We break down the complex relationship between neural processing and the emergence of subjective experience, providing clarity on where current research stands. By the end of this analysis, you will have a better framework for evaluating claims about machine sentience.

    Subscribe for weekly science breakdowns and comment below with your thoughts on whether AI will ever truly be conscious.

    If you enjoyed this episode, the best way to support the show is to subscribe, leave a rating or review, and share it with someone who might find it interesting. You can find new episodes, links, and more at robbcast.com. Just a quick note: this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing here is medical advice, and exploring altered states always comes with real risks and responsibilities. Until next time — stay curious.
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    35 min
  • Quiet Your Mind: The Art and Practice of Meditation

    Quiet Your Mind: The Art and Practice of Meditation
    Aug 28 2026
    Explore the quiet focus of meditation practice. Observe how stillness shapes our perception of time and inner calm. This observation of moments offers a framework for understanding the role of mindfulness in daily life. By observing the transition from the frantic pace of a nighttime cityscape to the quiet reflection of a solitary figure, we examine how the mind settles when external stimuli fall away. Maintaining a sustained meditation practice offers a path to clarity and conscious awareness. Whether sitting by a river or resting in a dim room, the act of settling the body provides a foundation for the mind to observe its own patterns without judgment.

    If you enjoyed this episode, the best way to support the show is to subscribe, leave a rating or review, and share it with someone who might find it interesting. You can find new episodes, links, and more at robbcast.com. Just a quick note: this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing here is medical advice, and exploring altered states always comes with real risks and responsibilities. Until next time — stay curious.
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    34 min