Superhuman

The Superhuman show by Freethink is an original series about the amazing advances in medical innovation that are making the present look more like a sci-fi depiction of the future. Join us as we meet the engineers, entrepreneurs, doctors and patients who are giving people a new lease on life today, while building our superhuman future of tomorrow.

Watch on YouTube

Share Superhuman on Twitter (X)
Share Superhuman on Facebook

The promise of gene therapy

When Karen was told her daughter had an incurable disease, she started a gene therapy company to find a cure.

Go to Episode

All Episodes (27)

Now Playing

Electric skin gives sensation back to amputees

Touch is a sensation that connects us all. This scientist created electronic skin that lets people with prosthetic limbs feel.

Now Playing

The emerging cyborg

Alec McMorris is testing one of the world’s most advanced prosthetics - an AI powered bionic leg.

Now Playing

Spinal implants: Helping the paralyzed walk again

Walking after complete spinal cord injury used to be a far-fetched dream. But, with advances in spinal cord implants for paralysis, even paraplegics have been able to regain mobility and walk again.

Now Playing

The exoskeleton marathon racer

How do you bounce back from a life-changing car accident? Adam Gorlitsky decided he would break a world record.

Now Playing

Reprogramming your immune system to fight cancer

Your T cells already know how to kill cancer. These doctors can train them to hunt it down.

Now Playing

Using virtual reality to help kids with autism

A virtual world offers a new way to engage with kids on the spectrum.

Now Playing

Helping kids walk with wearable robots

Exoskeletons aren't just science fiction anymore. Wearable robots are helping kids with cerebral palsy walk.

Now Playing

Hunting down his son’s killer

For years, there was no diagnosis, no treatment, and no cure — because his son's disease had never been seen before. That wasn't going to stop this dad.

Now Playing

Can genetically modified pigs be the key to treating rare diseases?

When it comes to rare diseases, doctors often don’t have enough patients to determine the effectiveness of various treatments. Now, scientists are breeding pigs with the same genetic code as people with a disease in order to create a pool of test "patients" unlike any before.

Now Playing

Can virtual reality help fight the opioid crisis?

VR has long been seen as an escape from the real world. But recently researchers have been putting an unexpected twist on that. They’re now exploring how VR could provide an escape from an unfortunate reality many face everyday: chronic pain.

Now Playing

These gloves can teach you to play the piano. And maybe heal your brain.

Through "passive haptic learning", these gloves can teach you how to play the piano in an hour. Braille in four hours. Now researchers want to see if victims of traumatic brain injuries can use these gloves to re-learn critical skills.

Now Playing

How 3D printing is revolutionizing heart surgery

When a young boy was facing a complicated and dangerous heart operation, his doctors created an exact model of his heart to plan the surgery. And it probably saved his life.

Now Playing

These doctors are performing brain surgery … using sound

Bonnie D'Ettorre suffers from a nerve disorder causing uncontrollable shaking. Doctors at Ohio State are about to "burn it out" using a thousand beams of ultrasound.

Now Playing

The world’s first bionic drummer

Jason Barnes lost his arm in a horrible accident. Then he became the fastest drummer in the world...

Now Playing

3D printing prosthetics for kids

The incredible movement of shared designs and tech that’s making prosthetics better and cheaper for everyone.

Now Playing

Father creates bionic organ for son

A father’s quest to help his son with diabetes could change the lives of millions of people who suffer from the disease.

Now Playing

Father makes 3D heart for daughter

When a father’s daughter was diagnosed with a heart disease, he set out to design an innovative 3D model of a heart that doctors could explore in virtual reality to save her life and thousands more.

Now Playing

Stem cells give paralyzed man movement

Could an injection of embryonic stem cells into the spinal cord reverse paralysis?

Now Playing

Brain implant gives quadriplegic movement

A brain implant connected to electrodes could offer hope to those who have lost function in their limbs.

Now Playing

Gaining independence with the world's most advanced prosthetic arm

Jerral was hit by a roadside bomb in Iraq and left paralyzed. Now he's partnering with researchers to regain his independence. »

Now Playing

Reversing blindness

Vanna was legally blind. Now she can see. Hear her inspiring story and meet the amazing doctors who gave her back her sight.

Now Playing

A life changed by robotic legs

Robert is paralyzed. But thanks to a robotic exoskeleton, he can walk again.

Now Playing

Robotic wheelchair revolution

Part Wheelchair. Part Robot. Is this the future of accessibility?

Now Playing

The real bionic man

After losing part of his arm to cancer, Johnny now has one of the world's most advanced prosthetics.

Now Playing

Open sourcing the brain

Open BCI has developed a 3D-printed headset that allows your brain to interact with computers in amazing ways.

Now Playing

The promise of gene therapy

When Karen was told her daughter had an incurable disease, she started a gene therapy company to find a cure.

Now Playing

Superhuman trailer

Join us as we meet the innovators building our superhuman future.