Why Does Evolution Keep Inventing Mind Control?

What if your thoughts, fears and desires weren't entirely your own? What if something living inside your body could change your behaviour, without you ever knowing?

Professor Hannah Fry and Michael Stevens (Vsauce) enter the disturbing world of parasites.

From worms that grow inside crickets to viruses that alter animal behaviour, they explore the extraordinary lengths parasites will go to in order to survive and reproduce.

But how does one organism evolve the ability to manipulate another?

How do parasites overcome the body's defences?

Along the way, Hannah and Michael investigate 500 million year old fossils, parasites that hitchhike on mosquitoes, the strange science of rabies and the unsettling relationship between cats, rats and a parasite that may even influence our own behaviour.

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Video Producer: Adam Thornton + Oli Oakley + Jack Meek

Animator: Sam Benson

Video & Social: Bex Tyrrell

Producer: Simona Rata + Lucy Lipscombe

Senior Producer: Lauren Armstrong-Carter

Chief Digital Officer: Samuel Oakley

Exec Producer: Neil Fearn

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