Uploaded April 2018 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago

---

As kids, we believe in fantasy legends such as Santa and the Tooth Fairy. As adults, we fall in love with fantasy stories such as Star Wars and Harry Potter. In this episode about the neuroscience behind believing, Washington University neurosurgeons at Barnes-Jewish Hospital discuss why believing in something bigger than ourselves actually makes us human, and how that’s a good thing.

For a full list of video podcasts, visit: barnesjewish.org/The-Brain-Coffee-Podcast.

Subscribe to the Barnes-Jewish Hospital YouTube Channel: youtube.com/user/BarnesJewishHospital

Connect with Barnes-Jewish Hospital:
- Facebook: facebook.com/barnesjewishhospital
- Twitter: twitter.com/Barnesjewish