Does touch strengthen your brain? (Senses Miniseries #1)
Summary
Host Dr. Shoshana Ungerleiter interviews neuroscientist David Eagleman on the profound role of touch in human health and brain plasticity. They discuss how tactile input shapes neural development, emotional connection, and sensory substitution technologies that allow the brain to interpret new data streams. Eagleman also shares insights on maintaining sensory awareness in a digital age and his current work on health-monitoring robotics.
Topics discussed
Sponsors: Capital One, Kashi, and Quince
Intro: The five senses series and guest David Eagleman
The neuroscience of touch and its developmental role
Brain plasticity and sensory substitution technology
Sponsors: Kashi and Capital One
Learning curves in sensory substitution for deaf and blind users
Limits of brain plasticity and stroke rehabilitation
Ethics of haptic tech and the decline of touch in modern life
Sponsors: Capital One, Schwab, and ServiceNow
Personal connection to touch and new AI health robot project
Conclusion, upcoming episodes, and final sponsors
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