Our memories and bodies give us clues about who we are, but what happens when this guidance shifts? In this mind-bending talk, science writer Anil Ananthaswamy shares how the experiences of "altered selves" -- resulting from schizophrenia, Alzheimer's, foreign limb syndrome or other conditions -- shed light on the constructed nature of identity. He breaks down where our sense of self comes from and invites us to challenge our assumptions about who we are, with the aim of building a better you and a better world.

Anil Ananthaswamy: Where does your sense of self come from? A scientific look

Where does your sense of self come from? A scientific look

science

psychology

philosophy

personal growth

brain

consciousness

self

humanity

identity

Alzheimer's

TED Stage Talk