The DemystifySci Podcast

Patrick Vanraes is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Antwerp whose research into liquid plasmas has led him to believe that we have radically, completely, totally misunderstood what it means for something to be “plasma.” All presentations on the subject begin with a rote recitation of the fact that plasma is a fourth state of matter - solid, liquid, gas, then plasma. But Patrick makes the point that this is an incomprehensible perspective, because the phase change between solid - liquid - gas is one of motion. Each phase has more degrees of freedom than the previous one, and so reveals different macroscopic qualities of the substance. The transition to plasma is far stranger. Some component of it does include a greater range of motion, as the electron shells of the atoms bloom away from their ionic cores. But far more important is the structural, chemical changes that accompany plasma, which is exactly what leads Patrick to the conclusion that perhaps plasma isn’t some strange exotic kind of matter - it’s some latent capacity of matter that’s far more ordinaryMAKE HISTORY WITH US THIS SUMMER:https://demystifysci.com/demysticon-2025PATREON https://www.patreon.com/c/demystifysciPARADIGM DRIFThttps://demystifysci.com/paradigm-drift-show00:00 Go!00:05:13 Cosmos and Plasma Complexity00:11:41 Defining Plasma Beyond Ionized Gas00:17:07 Applications and Implications of Plasma Understanding00:21:52 Plasma in Laboratory and Experimentation00:24:27 Plasma Formation in Gas vs. Liquid00:26:31 Plasma Research Fields00:31:15 Definition and Nature of Plasmas00:39:01 Phase Transitions and Plasma States00:42:11 Ionization and Conductivity in Metals00:48:31 Atomic Structure and Misconceptions00:49:54 Realism in Scientific Models00:52:30 Complexities in Education and Models00:55:38 Redefining Plasma and Conductivity01:00:07 Characteristics of Plasma01:11:05 Plasma Waves and Oscillations01:15:36 Particle Misconceptions01:20:59 Material Representation in Physics01:23:30 Stars and Material Conceptions01:29:38 Quasi-Particles and Limitations01:31:30 Beyond Models: Reality vs. Philosophy01:36:13 Phonon Theory of Liquids01:39:12 Relationship Between Phonons and Specific Heat01:40:25 The Temperature Dependency of Specific Heat01:43:35 Conceptualizing Quasi-Particles and Reality01:50:16 Exploring Underlying Structures in Physics01:57:05 The Philosophical Underpinning of Scientific Theories02:03:34 Plasma Physics, Redefined02:08:16 The Role of Skepticism and Prediction in Science02:12:26 Building Scientific Community and Collaboration02:16:50 Modeling a New Scientific Approach02:17:28 Upcoming Presentations on Plasma Models #plasmaphysics, #astrophysics, #experimentalphysics, #electricuniverse, #theoreticalphysics, philosophypodcast, #sciencepodcast, #longformpodcast ABOUS US: Anastasia completed her PhD studying bioelectricity at Columbia University. When not talking to brilliant people or making movies, she spends her time painting, reading, and guiding backcountry excursions. Shilo also did his PhD at Columbia studying the elastic properties of molecular water. When he's not in the film studio, he's exploring sound in music. They are both freelance professors at various universities. PATREON: get episodes early + join our weekly Patron Chat https://bit.ly/3lcAasBMERCH: Rock some DemystifySci gear : https://demystifysci.myspreadshop.com/allAMAZON: Do your shopping through this link: https://amzn.to/3YyoT98DONATE: https://bit.ly/3wkPqaDSUBSTACK: https://substack.com/@UCqV4_7i9h1_V7hY48eZZSLw@demystifysciBLOG: http://DemystifySci.com/blog RSS: https://anchor.fm/s/2be66934/podcast/rssMAILING LIST: https://bit.ly/3v3kz2S SOCIAL: - Discord: https://discord.gg/MJzKT8CQub- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/DemystifySci- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DemystifySci/- Twitter: https://twitter.com/DemystifySciMUSIC: -Shilo Delay: https://g.co/kgs/oty671

We found some strange, and extensively networked, piles of rocks in the Southern Oregon woods. We take you into the woods with us as we try to figure out if there’s some natural explanation for what we’ve found, or if we have stumbled on some man-made structures that predate the presence of Western settlers. Along the way we try to read how the landscape relates to the river that runs through it, evaluate different strategies for establishing the age of features we come across, and make the case that the huge complex of rounded rocks that we’ve found deep in the woods couldn’t possibly have been produced by the hand of nature. The only thing that’s left is figuring out who could have built these structures, how long ago they did so, and what they could have been used for. MAKE HISTORY WITH US THIS SUMMER:https://demystifysci.com/demysticon-2025PATREON https://www.patreon.com/c/demystifysciPARADIGM DRIFThttps://demystifysci.com/paradigm-drift-show00:00 Go! 00:05:08 Volcanic and Geological Context00:09:06 Natural Rock Formation Theories00:12:03 Abandoned Roads and Human Influence#geology, #ancientmysteries, #earthscience, #unsolvedmysteries, #hiddenhistory, #natureexploration, #outdooradventures, #riverrocks, #naturalphenomena, #archaeologicalmysteries, #erosion, #volcaniclandscapes, #naturepodcast #philosophypodcast, #sciencepodcast, #longformpodcast ABOUS US: Anastasia completed her PhD studying bioelectricity at Columbia University. When not talking to brilliant people or making movies, she spends her time painting, reading, and guiding backcountry excursions. Shilo also did his PhD at Columbia studying the elastic properties of molecular water. When he's not in the film studio, he's exploring sound in music. They are both freelance professors at various universities. PATREON: get episodes early + join our weekly Patron Chat https://bit.ly/3lcAasBMERCH: Rock some DemystifySci gear : https://demystifysci.myspreadshop.com/allAMAZON: Do your shopping through this link: https://amzn.to/3YyoT98DONATE: https://bit.ly/3wkPqaDSUBSTACK: https://substack.com/@UCqV4_7i9h1_V7hY48eZZSLw@demystifysciBLOG: http://DemystifySci.com/blog RSS: https://anchor.fm/s/2be66934/podcast/rssMAILING LIST: https://bit.ly/3v3kz2S SOCIAL: - Discord: https://discord.gg/MJzKT8CQub- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/DemystifySci- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DemystifySci/- Twitter: https://twitter.com/DemystifySciMUSIC: -Shilo Delay: https://g.co/kgs/oty671

Tiffeny Todd is a physics professor and filmmaker who became obsessed with the nature of consciousness after having an out of body experience and discovering that her field had absolutely no way of explaining the experience of mind separate from body that she had. This set her on a quest to discover the theoretical basis for what had happened to her. Along the way, she discovered a wealth of literature on parapsychology that suggested it was possible for the mind to influence the outcome of quantum experiments, which led her to formulate her theory of vacuum orchestrated spin signaling, which states that the quantum vacuum is the source of agency, and that material bodies are agentic filters for that information - meaning they are the place where the agency of the vacuum is translated into real action. Our conversation starts with an exploration of parapsychology and its overlap with physics, then goes into the specifics of Todd’s theories, with a significant detour into the nature of electromagnetism, photons, electrons, what the quantum vacuum is, and why its mechanics suggest the existence of delocalized agency that lives in the void. MAKE HISTORY WITH US THIS SUMMER:https://demystifysci.com/demysticon-2025PATREON https://www.patreon.com/c/demystifysciPARADIGM DRIFThttps://demystifysci.com/paradigm-drift-show00:00 Go!00:05:38 Challenges with Parapsychology Evidence00:15:03 Brain Functions and Psychic Abilities00:26:07 Associative Learning in Plants00:36:00 Antenna Theory and Consciousness00:46:12 Emergence of Consciousness and Agency00:51:44 Evolution and Emergent Behavior01:00:20 Consciousness and Quantum Theory01:09:26 Quantum Vacuum and Information Storage01:10:45 Quantum Entanglement and Vacuum Theory01:14:24 Radical Pair Mechanism01:18:08 Quantum Vacuum and Information Exchange01:23:00 Virtual Photons and Fields01:27:05 Actions vs. Actors in Physics01:31:05 Pilot Wave Theory01:34:31 Quantum Field and Mind Interaction01:37:54 Electron Distribution and Atomic Interaction01:43:12 Entanglement and Interpretations of Quantum Mechanics01:46:11 Mind's Influence in a Single Atom Universe01:53:04 Mind, Mediums, and Quantum Communication01:58:08 Mind-Body Connection and Psychic Phenomena02:01:01 The Nature and Emergence of Life02:05:28 The Role of Agency in Evolutionary Theory02:10:06 Quantum Models of Consciousness02:15:01 Intersecting Science and Spirit02:21:11 Quantum Foundations and Interpretation02:25:06 The Future of Quantum Science02:26:17 Resources and Collaboration Opportunities #consciousness, #quantumphysics, #neuroscience, #quantummechanics, #mindovermatter, #emergence, #quantumfieldtheory, #agency, #freewill, #mysticism, #quantumconsciousness, #reality, #spiritualscience, #nonduality, #philosophypodcast, #sciencepodcast, #longformpodcast ABOUS US: Anastasia completed her PhD studying bioelectricity at Columbia University. When not talking to brilliant people or making movies, she spends her time painting, reading, and guiding backcountry excursions. Shilo also did his PhD at Columbia studying the elastic properties of molecular water. When he's not in the film studio, he's exploring sound in music. They are both freelance professors at various universities. PATREON: get episodes early + join our weekly Patron Chat https://bit.ly/3lcAasBMERCH: Rock some DemystifySci gear : https://demystifysci.myspreadshop.com/allAMAZON: Do your shopping through this link: https://amzn.to/3YyoT98DONATE: https://bit.ly/3wkPqaDSUBSTACK: https://substack.com/@UCqV4_7i9h1_V7hY48eZZSLw@demystifysciBLOG: http://DemystifySci.com/blog RSS: https://anchor.fm/s/2be66934/podcast/rssMAILING LIST: https://bit.ly/3v3kz2S SOCIAL: - Discord: https://discord.gg/MJzKT8CQub- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/DemystifySci- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DemystifySci/- Twitter: https://twitter.com/DemystifySciMUSIC: -Shilo Delay: https://g.co/kgs/oty671

Andrés Gomez Emilsson is the director of the San Francisco–based Qualia Research Institute (QRI), a nonprofit developing formal models of consciousness and emotional valence. QRI’s research aims to untangle the harmonic, computational, and symmetry-driven mechanisms underlying phenomenological experience. They approach the optimization of subjective experience through two powerful psychotechnologies — psychedelics and meditation — using them to explore the state-space of mind and map the structure of qualia. In this conversation, we discuss the phenomenology of enlightenment, the non-local field effects of consciousness, and one of Andrés’ side projects: how perfumes and smells modulate perception and emotional geometry. Check out his work at https://qri.org/ and follow his channel at https://www.youtube.com/@QualiaResearchInstitute.MAKE HISTORY WITH US THIS SUMMER:https://demystifysci.com/demysticon-2025PATREON https://www.patreon.com/c/demystifysciPARADIGM DRIFThttps://demystifysci.com/paradigm-drift-show00:00 Go!00:04:22 Research Phases and Insights00:06:37 Dynamic Systems and Brain Waves00:10:00 Neural Oscillation and Interaction00:15:17 Coupled Oscillators and Consciousness00:21:55 Brain Activity and Anesthesia00:23:35 Understanding Brain Patterns and Psychedelics00:26:03 Consciousness Beyond Molecular Interactions00:28:06 Meditation and Psychedelic Experiences00:30:19 Tracer Effects as Psychedelic Signatures00:34:09 Insights into High-Dose Psychedelic Experiences00:40:05 Safety and Ethics in Psychedelic Use00:44:16 Psychedelics and Meditation's Impact00:51:55 Frames of Perception and Transformation00:56:00 Psychedelic Experiences and Emotional Well-being01:01:13 Harm Reduction and Substance Use01:05:09 Acceptance and Stress Management01:06:30 Meditation Techniques for DMT Experiences01:10:18 Nature's Role in Stress Dissipation01:14:18 Psychedelics in Modern Society01:22:03 Meditation vs. Psychedelics01:26:39 Psychedelic Experiences and Personal Growth01:28:01 Laser Chess as a Metaphor for Brain Function01:32:42 Expectation and Experience01:36:07 Ego and Enlightenment01:41:03 Identifying Enlightenment and Cultural Dynamics01:46:16 Recognizing and Switching Views01:48:24 Understanding Ego and Motivation01:51:00 The Artist's Dilemma01:53:37 Enlightenment and Motivation01:57:07 Paths to Enlightenment02:00:16 Psychedelics and Consciousness02:06:32 Flow States in Art and Life02:09:24 Meditation and Music as Repetitive Practices02:11:57 Awakening and Functionality Post-Transformation02:14:31 The Hive Mind and Inner Harmony02:18:11 The Impact of 5-MeO-DMT on Consciousness02:22:49 Visual Illusions and Perceptions of Reality02:24:49 Neural Annealing Theory02:30:02 Music and Neural Annealing02:34:20 Surprise, Comedy, and Sensory Experience02:37:47 The Art and Science of Perfumery02:44:09 Using Scents to Influence Emotional States02:51:48 Scents Inspired by the Natural World02:55:04 Premium Fragrances for Fundraising02:57:28 Pear and Violet Perfume Exploration03:00:47 Sensory Experiences with Perfumes03:13:32 Understanding Brain Dynamics with Psilocybin03:16:04 Personal Experiences and Differences in Psychedelic Effects #psychedelicscience , #consciousness , #neuroscience, #brainwaves , #psychedelictherapy, #meditationscience , health, #psychedelicexperience, #neuroplasticity #philosophypodcast, #sciencepodcast, #longformpodcast ABOUS US: Anastasia completed her PhD studying bioelectricity at Columbia University. When not talking to brilliant people or making movies, she spends her time painting, reading, and guiding backcountry excursions. Shilo also did his PhD at Columbia studying the elastic properties of molecular water. When he's not in the film studio, he's exploring sound in music. They are both freelance professors at various universities. MUSIC: -Shilo Delay: https://g.co/kgs/oty671

Michael Hughes is a postdoctoral researcher at St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital who studies the overlooked role of water in living systems. His work builds on a growing body of research suggesting that water is not just a passive solvent, but a highly structured, information-rich medium. Hughes proposes that under normal biological conditions, water’s ability to form liquid crystalline phases, hydration shells, and coherent domains allows it to act more like an information storage system than an inert backdrop to biochemistry. Drawing on ideas like EZ water, interfacial water dynamics, and liquid-liquid phase separation inside cells that span thinkers from Gilbert Ling to Gerald Pollack, Hughes argues that health emerges from the fine-tuned electrical and structural properties of intracellular water. When this water-protein-electrical system breaks down, disease can result. He outlines a new approach to the body that’s rooted in biophysics, not just molecular biology, which he believes might offer novel ways to maintain health and slow aging by restoring the electromagnetic coherence of the body.MAKE HISTORY WITH US THIS SUMMER:https://demystifysci.com/demysticon-2025 PATREON https://www.patreon.com/c/demystifysci PARADIGM DRIFThttps://demystifysci.com/paradigm-drift-show Preprint of Michael's manuscript "Rethinking Cellular Organization: Phase Separation as a Unifying Principle in Molecular Biology" https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=5171413 Dr. Thomas Seyfried podcast w/ DemystifyScihttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxHkXP3G3y4 "Live Streaming of a Single Cell's Life over a Local pH Monitoring Nanowire Waveguide" https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.nanolett.2c02185 Rudolf Steiner's Agriculture Course: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwSa8Lpy9-A 00:00 Go! 00:09:54 – Water, Fields & the Electric Body 00:15:01 – Biochemistry’s Unifying Principles 00:21:26 – Water, Glutamine & Metabolism 00:23:02 – Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation 00:25:34 – Hydration & Cellular Structure 00:28:08 – Amyloids in Health & Disease 00:33:52 – Environment Shapes Amyloids 00:39:37 – Osmosis, Metabolism & Flow 00:41:04 – Soil Over Seed: Health Revolution 00:42:24 – Evolving Scientific Paradigms 00:46:08 – Cell Theory & Liquid Separation 00:50:34 – Rethinking Genetic Primacy 00:56:12 – Biochemical Research Challenges 01:01:58 – Terrain Theory & Post-Pandemic Trust 01:13:16 – Technology, Ethics & Evolution 01:16:06 – Metabolism as Societal Metaphor 01:21:09 – Lifespan, Healthspan & Food Systems 01:23:25 – Terrain Theory & Neurodegenerative Disease 01:25:10 – pH, Buffers & Biochemical Balance 01:30:03 – Cellular Function & pH Dynamics 01:35:17 – Biochemical Cell Environment 01:39:06 – Intracellular Phase Separation 01:43:07 – Insulin, Gradients & Phase Transitions 01:45:12 – Water, Food & Environmental Impacts 01:48:14 – Personal Diet & Exercise Design 01:57:09 – Experimenting with Your Health 02:00:11 – Dyno comp! #electricuniverse #biochemistry, #structuredwater , #cellularhealth, #watermemory, #metabolism, #quantumhealth, #naturalmedicine, #integrativemedicine, #nutritionalscience, #epigenetics, #philosophypodcast, #sciencepodcast, #longformpodcast ABOUS US: Anastasia completed her PhD studying bioelectricity at Columbia University. When not talking to brilliant people or making movies, she spends her time painting, reading, and guiding backcountry excursions. Shilo also did his PhD at Columbia studying the elastic properties of molecular water. When he's not in the film studio, he's exploring sound in music. They are both freelance professors at various universities. SOCIAL: - Discord: https://discord.gg/MJzKT8CQub- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/DemystifySci- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DemystifySci/- Twitter: https://twitter.com/DemystifySciMUSIC: -Shilo Delay: https://g.co/kgs/oty671