Gaby Roslin and Amir Khan present a program in which they apply the latest science to some of the worst sleepers. They include an extreme snorer, a man who suffers from night terrors, a woman who has restless leg syndrome, and a man with chronic insomnia for 20 years. The film also shows a sleep deprivation experiment to test for risky behaviour, pain resistance and emotional control. When the subjects reach the final hours of the challenge, the experiment begins to take its toll as the participants' emotions go into overdrive, with one threatening to quit altogether.
A powerful movement is exploiting our fears, persuading some to believe the vaccine was designed to control or even kill us. Who are the people behind the international anti-Covid-vaccine movement and why are they doing it? In the anti-vax movement - where is the money? The money comes from a small but very well-heeled network of donors and philanthropists who fund anybody reinforcing their opinions. The film is a journey inside the astonishing world of the anti-vaxxers.
The third episode looks at anxiety and explores why it is so common. It talks to neuroscientists who explain the physiological and evolutionary basis of anxiety. Although it can help animals escape predators, anxiety can cause serious problems for human beings. It talks to sufferers of anxiety and examines the different types of anxiety people can feel. It also looks at how social media can cause anxiety.
Horizon uncovers the secret world of our dreams. In a series of cutting-edge experiments and personal stories, we go in search of the science behind this most enduring mystery and ask: where do dreams come from? Do they have meaning? And ultimately, why do we dream? What the film reveals is that much of what we thought we knew no longer stands true. Dreams are not simply wild imaginings but play a significant part in all our lives as they have an impact on our memories, the ability to learn, and our mental health. Most surprisingly, we find nightmares, too, are beneficial and may even explain the survival of our species.
Jacoba Ballard was an only child, conceived via donor sperm, who always dreamed of having a brother or sister. When an at-home DNA test led her to the discovery of not one but seven half-siblings, she realized that she had stumbled across a major finding. Jacoba discovers a shocking scheme involving a former Indianapolis based fertility doctor, who, in a case of fertility fraud, used his own sperm to impregnate dozens of unsuspecting patients.
A third of the population regularly struggle with our sleep, which rose to one in two during the pandemic - the highest it's ever been. However, as more and more people seek help, an explosion in sleep science is enabling the study of sleep in ways not possible before. What's more, recent breakthroughs are uncovering what's happening in our brains and bodies while we're asleep, getting us closer than ever to understanding the importance of sleep for our health. Michael Mosley shows why cutting our sleep short can be linked to a host of illnesses, including serious diseases like Alzheimer's. Revealing the very latest science breakthroughs and packed with personal anecdotes, this programme is a useful guide to anyone looking for tips and insights on how to get the benefits from learning how to sleep well.
The film also shows a sleep deprivation experiment to test for risky behaviour, pain resistance and emotional control. When the subjects reach the final hours of the challenge, the experiment begins to take its toll as the participants' emotions go into overdrive, with one threatening to quit altogether.