The Curious Cases of Rutherford and Fry

Original version

BBC Radio 4 LW

The Curious Cases of Rutherford & Fry

Podcasts

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.

BBC Radio 4 FM

The Curious Cases of Rutherford & Fry: Series 21: The Mind Numbing Medicine

The Mind Numbing Medicine

Series 21

BBC Radio 4 - The Curious Cases of Rutherford & Fry, Series 21, The Mind Numbing Medicine

Rutherford and Fry investigate how anaesthetics work and what can they tell us about different states of consciousness.

This episode will render you oblivious, conked out and blissfully unaware. It’s about anaesthetics: those potent potions that send you into a deep, deathly sleep. Listener Alicia wants to know how they work, so our sleuths call on the expertise of consultant anaesthetist Dr Fiona Donald. Fiona shares her experience from the clinical frontline, and explains what we do and don’t know about how these chemicals work their mind-numbing magic. 
 
We hear about ground-breaking research led by Professor Irene Tracey, which reveals how a pattern of slow brain waves can be used to determine the optimum dosage of these dangerous drugs. 

And finally, Drs Rutherford and Fry wonder: what does all this tell us about normal consciousness? Professor Anil Seth shares how we can use brain tech to measure different levels of conscious awareness – from sleepy to psychedelic.

Presenters: Hannah Fry and Adam Rutherford
Producer: Ilan Goodman

The Curious Cases of Rutherford & Fry: Series 21

BBC Radio 4

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

Accessibility links

Programme Index

The Curious Cases of Rutherford & Fry

Series 21

The Mind Numbing Medicine

Genres

Brand

Series

BBC Radio 4 LW

About BBC Radio 4