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How does anesthesia work? - Steven Zheng

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TEDEd Animation

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When under anesthesia, you can’t move, form memories, or — hopefully — feel pain. And while it might just seem like you are asleep for that time, you actually aren’t. What’s going on? Steven Zheng explains what we know about the science behind anesthesia.

Do you think it is ethical for modern anesthestics to be founded on such dubious circumstances such as people experimenting with cocaine or ether for frivolous purposes? Would you be OK with, for example, the medicine of tomorrow being developed based on people's personal experimentation with PCP?

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TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Steven Zheng
  • Script Editor Eleanor Nelsen
  • Producer Zedem Media
  • Director Michael Kalopaidis
  • Artist Jeanne Bornet
  • Sound Designer Andreas Trachonitis
  • Animator Maria Savva
  • Intern Andria Pourouti
  • Narrator Addison Anderson

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