S5 E12 | Teenage Lobotomy: Walter Freeman and the Ice Pick

Death and Friends

DISCLAIMER:

Hi everybody, this is Angel. A quick reminder, Death and Friends is not a podcast for the light of heart. Dark and serious subjects may come up. Listener discretion is advised.

This episode, we talk about a different kind of death. If you read the title and thought, "oh i like The Ramones," clearly this will be light hearted. It is not. Not even a little bit. Attempts at jokes will be made, but quite frankly considering how much mental health treatment still has to go. This one is a downright bummer.

We are a comedy podcast and if you've stuck around from the start, you know that we are committed to providing space to learning about death in a context that doesn’t feel as scary as the world does sometimes. Today’s episode, like all the past and future ones, is no different, and we will continue to use our collective space to examine these explorations even in the face of the worst humanity has to offer.

As a reminder, death can be tricky to talk about. So remember: you are loved, you matter, and we will always be happy to be your friend.

Description:

What if a Nobel Peace Prize was awarded for a procedure that ended up causing more harm than good? Join us as we uncover the dark and often bizarre history of early brain surgery, particularly the infamous lobotomy. We dig into the strange and unsettling world of António Egas Moniz, the so-called father of psychosurgery, whose methods have left a controversial legacy. You'll also hear about the misguided experiments conducted by Yale neuroscientist John Fulton on chimpanzees, which influenced human mental health treatments in unexpected ways. Don't worry, we'll navigate this grim terrain with our signature humor to keep things approachable.

In another fascinating chapter, we explore how a seemingly promising medical procedure backfired, worsening the patient's condition, yet bizarrely led to its originator receiving a Nobel Peace Prize. We also delve into the quirks and peculiarities of this famous figure's life, sharing amusing anecdotes and creative metaphors that shed light on his personality. To wrap up, we reflect on the procedure's impact and the intriguing character behind it, ensuring a mix of thought-provoking insights and light-hearted moments. Don't miss this engaging and thought-provoking episode!

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Topics:

Brain Surgery, Lobotomy, Mental Illness, Medical History, Psychosurgery, Nobel Peace Prize, John Fulton, Yale, Neuroscientist, Mental Health Care, Historical Figure, Unintended Consequences, Pseudoscience, Humor, Dark History, Early 20th Century, Frontal Lobes, António Egas Moniz, Controversial Methods, Quirky Anecdotes, Walter Freeman