Superhuman

The Superhuman show by Freethink is an original series about the amazing advances in medical innovation that are making the present look more like a sci-fi depiction of the future. Join us as we meet the engineers, entrepreneurs, doctors and patients who are giving people a new lease on life today, while building our superhuman future of tomorrow.

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Stem cells give paralyzed man movement

Could an injection of embryonic stem cells into the spinal cord reverse paralysis?

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All Episodes (27)

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Electric skin gives sensation back to amputees

Touch is a sensation that connects us all. This scientist created electronic skin that lets people with prosthetic limbs feel.

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The emerging cyborg

Alec McMorris is testing one of the world’s most advanced prosthetics - an AI powered bionic leg.

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Spinal implants: Helping the paralyzed walk again

Walking after complete spinal cord injury used to be a far-fetched dream. But, with advances in spinal cord implants for paralysis, even paraplegics have been able to regain mobility and walk again.

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The exoskeleton marathon racer

How do you bounce back from a life-changing car accident? Adam Gorlitsky decided he would break a world record.

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Reprogramming your immune system to fight cancer

Your T cells already know how to kill cancer. These doctors can train them to hunt it down.

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Using virtual reality to help kids with autism

A virtual world offers a new way to engage with kids on the spectrum.

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Helping kids walk with wearable robots

Exoskeletons aren't just science fiction anymore. Wearable robots are helping kids with cerebral palsy walk.

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Hunting down his son’s killer

For years, there was no diagnosis, no treatment, and no cure — because his son's disease had never been seen before. That wasn't going to stop this dad.

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Can genetically modified pigs be the key to treating rare diseases?

When it comes to rare diseases, doctors often don’t have enough patients to determine the effectiveness of various treatments. Now, scientists are breeding pigs with the same genetic code as people with a disease in order to create a pool of test "patients" unlike any before.

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Can virtual reality help fight the opioid crisis?

VR has long been seen as an escape from the real world. But recently researchers have been putting an unexpected twist on that. They’re now exploring how VR could provide an escape from an unfortunate reality many face everyday: chronic pain.

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These gloves can teach you to play the piano. And maybe heal your brain.

Through "passive haptic learning", these gloves can teach you how to play the piano in an hour. Braille in four hours. Now researchers want to see if victims of traumatic brain injuries can use these gloves to re-learn critical skills.

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How 3D printing is revolutionizing heart surgery

When a young boy was facing a complicated and dangerous heart operation, his doctors created an exact model of his heart to plan the surgery. And it probably saved his life.

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These doctors are performing brain surgery … using sound

Bonnie D'Ettorre suffers from a nerve disorder causing uncontrollable shaking. Doctors at Ohio State are about to "burn it out" using a thousand beams of ultrasound.

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The world’s first bionic drummer

Jason Barnes lost his arm in a horrible accident. Then he became the fastest drummer in the world...

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3D printing prosthetics for kids

The incredible movement of shared designs and tech that’s making prosthetics better and cheaper for everyone.

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Father creates bionic organ for son

A father’s quest to help his son with diabetes could change the lives of millions of people who suffer from the disease.

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Father makes 3D heart for daughter

When a father’s daughter was diagnosed with a heart disease, he set out to design an innovative 3D model of a heart that doctors could explore in virtual reality to save her life and thousands more.

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Stem cells give paralyzed man movement

Could an injection of embryonic stem cells into the spinal cord reverse paralysis?

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Brain implant gives quadriplegic movement

A brain implant connected to electrodes could offer hope to those who have lost function in their limbs.

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Gaining independence with the world's most advanced prosthetic arm

Jerral was hit by a roadside bomb in Iraq and left paralyzed. Now he's partnering with researchers to regain his independence. »

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Reversing blindness

Vanna was legally blind. Now she can see. Hear her inspiring story and meet the amazing doctors who gave her back her sight.

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A life changed by robotic legs

Robert is paralyzed. But thanks to a robotic exoskeleton, he can walk again.

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Robotic wheelchair revolution

Part Wheelchair. Part Robot. Is this the future of accessibility?

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The real bionic man

After losing part of his arm to cancer, Johnny now has one of the world's most advanced prosthetics.

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Open sourcing the brain

Open BCI has developed a 3D-printed headset that allows your brain to interact with computers in amazing ways.

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The promise of gene therapy

When Karen was told her daughter had an incurable disease, she started a gene therapy company to find a cure.

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Superhuman trailer

Join us as we meet the innovators building our superhuman future.