January 18, 2017 (2017-01-18) – October 24, 2019 (2019-10-24)
Mind Field is an American streaming television series produced exclusively for YouTube Premium, created and presented by Michael Stevens, the creator of the YouTube channel Vsauce. The format of the series is based heavily on that of Vsauce, with Stevens presenting documentary-style episodes which focus on aspects of human behavior, particularly the brain and the influences of consciousness.[2][3] Every episode contains one or more experiments, in which either volunteers or Stevens himself participates, that relates to the topic of the episode.[4][5] For example, in episode one, Stevens locks himself in an empty room for three days in order to investigate the effects of social isolation on the brain.[6]
Three seasons of Mind Field have been released on Vsauce, each one with eight episodes. The first season ran in early 2017, the second season from late 2017 to early 2018, and the third from late 2018 to early 2019.[7][8] On October 1, 2019, all episodes became watchable with ads for free for those without YouTube Premium. On October 24, 2019, a special episode entitled "What Is the Scariest Thing?" was released.[9]
Episodes
Season 1 (2017)
No.
Title
Original air date
1
"Isolation"
January 18, 2017 (2017-01-18)
Stevens explores the effects of isolation and boredom on the brain including staying three days in a room with no external stimuli.
2
"Conformity"
January 18, 2017 (2017-01-18)
Stevens explores the human instinct to conform and fall in with the crowd including conducting an experiment on individuals when actors give the wrong answer to questions.
3
"Destruction"
January 25, 2017 (2017-01-25)
Can destroying things really make someone calm down? Stevens investigates including making people agitated and then giving them objects to destroy, and comparing them with a control.
4
"Artificial Intelligence"
February 1, 2017 (2017-02-01)
Stevens attempts to find out where the line between real and artificial minds really lies.
5
"Freedom of Choice"
February 8, 2017 (2017-02-08)
Stevens is joined by Moran Cerf, Dianna Cowern and Derek Muller to investigate whether we really have control over our own thoughts and actions, or is someone or something else calling the shots?
6
"Touch"
February 15, 2017 (2017-02-15)
Stevens investigates whether it is really our bodies or our minds that determine the way we interpret and feel sensations.
7
"In Your Face"
February 22, 2017 (2017-02-22)
Stevens explores the effects of facial expressions on interactions with others and with yourself, and whether moods determine facial expressions or the other way around.
8
"Do You Know Yourself?"
March 1, 2017 (2017-03-01)
Stevens investigates how well memories can be easily manipulated, and how this impacts people's lives.
Stevens travels to the Amazonian jungle of Peru to experience the mind-expanding effects of the psychedelic brew Ayahuasca.
3
"Interrogation"
December 6, 2017 (2017-12-06)
Stevens consults experts on the topic of interrogation and manipulation. Stevens tries his best not to spill out two important details (his sister's name and about his job) while the officer interrogates him by giving him slight doses of drugs. The amount of drugs is increased until Michael finally tells the truth.
4
"Your Brain on Tech"
December 6, 2017 (2017-12-06)
Stevens takes part in a study at the University of California, Irvine, where scientists test how playing 3D video games affects spatial memory.
Stevens visits his hometown (Stilwell, Kansas) and demonstrates how a brain processes visual information with the residents sending information to each other.
4
"The Stanford Prison Experiment"
December 19, 2018 (2018-12-19)
Stevens talks about and studies the infamous experiment conducted by Philip Zimbardo and conducts his own experiment with similar variables but a less intimidating context.
Stevens conducts a game show demonstrating Our Beliefs that connects a happening in the World and discusses about human Superstition.
8
"Mind Reading"
January 16, 2019 (2019-01-16)
Stevens participates in an experiment that involves figuring out what people are thinking, and also talks with researchers who are conducting experiments to read people's dreams.
Special episodes (2018-2019)
No.
Title
Original air date
1
"The Origins of Disgust"
December 5, 2018 (2018-12-05)
In a clip that ultimately did not make it to the season 3 episode "the Cognitive Tradeoff Hypothesis", Stevens explores whether disgust is an evolutionary product as he, alongside Dr. Andrew Macintosh and Cecile Sarabian, experiment with Japanese macaques to see if they are repulsed by feces.
2
"I Watch 3 Episodes of Mind Field With Our Experts & Researchers"
October 14, 2019 (2019-10-14)
Stevens watches S2-E6 ("The Power of Suggestion"), S3-E5 ("Should I Die?"), and S2-E4 ("Your Brain on Tech") with various experts on the subjects.
3
"What Is the Scariest Thing?"
October 24, 2019 (2019-10-24)
Stevens talks about fear and if there exists an innate fear of which all people are afraid.
