Can electromagnetic fields illuminate the mysteries of consciousness and free will? Join us on The Diamond Mind Podcast as we explore this cutting edge question with Stanford Prof. M. Bruce McIver, a leading expert in neurophysiology.

I sat down with Bruce at the Tucson Science of Consciousness conference this year, meeting for the first time in "real life" at that time. He and I have exchanged emails and Zoom calls for a few years now and he contributed a great paper to the Frontiers in Human neuroscience special issue on EM field theories of consciousness that I edited from 2020 to 2023.

We discuss the role EM fields play in brain function, potentially holding the key to our fastest cognitive processing and decision-making. Our guest also shares his career-long insights into the synaptic actions of anesthetics, particularly their effects on pyramidal cells in crucial brain regions like the hippocampus and neocortex.

Venture with us into the realm where the brain's electromagnetic field might be more than just a byproduct of neural activity, but a central player in cognitive processing. We dig into the historical and contemporary experiments that explore this intriguing possibility, considering how these fields might influence everything from athletic performance to the essence of free will.

Our conversation navigates through the brain's conductive environment, touching on cutting-edge technologies like transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) that hold potential for future breakthroughs in understanding consciousness and in neurotherapy as well as peak performance.

We also consider the impact of various substances, such as ketamine and nitrous oxide, on brain activity, revealing new insights that challenge old perceptions. Discover how these substances alter neural attractors and what that means for current and future research.

With a mix of scientific rigor and engaging storytelling, this episode offers a fresh perspective on how electromagnetic fields, myelination, and the dynamic complexity of the brain contribute to the ongoing exploration of consciousness.

Bruce offers a blend of intellect and intrigue that promises to expand your mind.