The Mind-Bending World of New Brain Technologies

Abstract

Our amazing brains allow us to do incredible things, yet they remain mysterious in many ways. Researchers have discovered some situations in which the brain can be “fooled”, and these insights into the brain’s inner workings have led to some exciting new technologies, including virtual reality (VR). In addition to its well-known role in gaming and entertainment, VR has some amazing uses in the field of medicine. VR can help patients manage pain, and it can also help surgeons practice delicate procedures and guide them during operations. Other advances called brain-machine interfaces can listen to the brain’s chatter and translate thoughts into commands for computers or even robotic limbs, which could greatly improve the lives of people with certain disabilities. In this article, we will explain how researchers are using findings from cutting-edge brain research to produce exciting new technologies that can heal or even enhance the brain’s functions.