human-and-biological-science

About Video

Does telepathy exist? Scientists have argued for years about the existence of telepathy – the claimed ability to transmit words or thoughts to another mind outside of the channels of the recognized senses. Skeptics insist that humans possess no such power, but fail to provide answers for many phenomena suggesting that direct transmission can, and does, take place.

The Experiment

During the course of the program, NAKED SCIENCE sets out on its own, scientifically rigorous telepathy experiment. A researcher secretly selects six varied locations in San Francisco and goes to one that has been randomly selected by the throw of the dice. Simultaneously, an experienced, telepathic “remote viewer” begins concentrating on the her location from within a closed room. In an experiment that will run throughout the program, he is attempting to track down the missing researcher. Will he succeed by mind-power alone?

What evidence exists for telepathy?

Some of the most startling evidence for telepathy has come from examination of identical twins where studies have shown that around 30% have experienced unexplained “telepathic” links such as sympathy pain. We carry out some simple experiments: one twin is isolated and connected to a polygraph machine. In a separate room the other twin is subjected to some kind of sensory stimulus such a sudden noise. Does the other twin respond? Is it telepathy or could it be down to genetic similarity between the brains? Further experiments are carried out on identical twins in the form of examinations; will the twins make similar mistakes?

Could we all be telepathic?

We investigate evidence that, under certain conditions, telepathy can still be demonstrated between people who are not twins – indeed are not related in any way. Can we repeat under laboratory conditions what appear to be telepathic experiences? We see archive footage of a famous series of experiments conducted in New York when the brain was at its most relaxed – with a sleeping person. Meanwhile, at Edinburgh University a similar experiment is carried out with a conscious, but relaxed subject who attempts to “see” images that a sender is viewing on a television screen in a separate room. In both cases results are obtained that are higher than would be expected at random.

Could telepathy, if it exists, have practical applications?

During the Cold War the CIA clearly thought so. They set up a team of ‘psychically gifted’ people to spy on the Soviets and the process was named Remote Viewing and codenamed Project Stargate. For years it was a top secret. We hear from some of the most involved individuals in the project, including star Remote Viewer, Joe McMoneagle.

How can we explain telepathy?

Hal Puthoff, the scientist in charge of the remote viewing team, offers his own theory that the explanation for telepathy lies in the realms of Quantum Theory.

The final proof?

We take a look at the most up-to-date research being carried out into the phenomena, involving modern imaging technologies that take us right into the center of the issue – the brain itself.

ASPECT RATIO 4.3
MAIN SOUNDTRACK English Stereo
DISC FORMAT DVD 5
REGION 1 NTSC
CLASSIFICATION Exempt
NOTE Not available for shipment outside the USA

Runtime: 54 minutes