The Curious Cases of Rutherford and Fry

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The Curious Cases of Rutherford & Fry

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Factual: Science & Nature

Factual: Science & Nature: Science & Technology

Science sleuths Dr Adam Rutherford and Dr Hannah Fry investigate everyday mysteries.

Science sleuths Dr Adam Rutherford and Dr Hannah Fry investigate everyday mysteries sent by listeners.

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The Curious Cases of Rutherford & Fry: Series 13: The Mesmerist

The Mesmerist

Series 13

BBC Radio 4 - The Curious Cases of Rutherford & Fry, Series 13, The Mesmerist

Is hypnotism real? Drs Rutherford and Fry find out by visiting a hypnotist

Is hypnotism real and who is most susceptible? Science sleuths Drs Rutherford and Fry investigate. From April 2019.

“Is hypnosis real, and if so how does it work? Does it have any practical uses and which of Hannah and Adam is most susceptible?” 

This question came from two Curios, Peter Jordan aged 24 from Manchester and Arran Kinnear aged 13 from Bristol.

Arch sceptics Hannah and Adam visit stage hypnotist Ben Dali to find out if they are susceptible to the power of suggestion. One of them will be successfully hypnotised, but who will it be?

Along the way we hear about the history of hypnosis from Wendy Moore author of 'The Mesmerist'. Plus psychologist Devin Terhune explains what we know about the science of hypnosis today.

Presenters: Hannah Fry, Adam Rutherford

Producer: Michelle Martin

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2019.

The Curious Cases of Rutherford & Fry: Series 13

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Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Dr Adam Rutherford and Dr Hannah Fry investigate science mysteries sent by listeners.

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