How Our Brain Tricks Us

Our brain uses mental shortcuts so that we can filter the countless stimuli in our environment and react to them. However, this strength of the brain is also its weakness. Using optical illusions and magic tricks, Albert Moukheiber demonstrates in the first episode of the two-part documentary that what we think is real is not always real.

Humans are highly social beings and the influence of those around us on our perception, decisions, and general behaviour is far greater than we realise. Whether it's social stress, our tendency to conform or the so-called "wisdom of crowds" - in this episode, neuroscientist Albert Moukheiber looks at the social brain.