Jena, Germany, 1924: Working in near isolation and with meticulous boredom, the psychiatrist Hans Berger observes rhythmic electrical activity of the scalps of human subjects. He is convinced that the activity originates in the brain and introduces the term ‘electroencephalogram’. It took a decade for the scientific community to accept Berger’s work, which gave birth … Read more
It used to feel like the edge of science fiction to put a computer in someone’s brain. Today it is a reality. Academic and commercial groups are testing “brain-computer interface” devices to enable people with disabilities to function more independently. Yet Elon Musk’s company, Neuralink, has put this technology at the center of debates over … Read more
A woman demonstrates a technique used in neurofeedback therapy. Wires connect points on her head to an electroencephalogram (EEG) monitor on a computer as she watches a movie on a screen. (Submitted by Elumind Centers For Brain Excellence – image credit) A growing number of psychiatrists and psychologists in BC say they are successfully treating … Read more
When most people hear about electroconvulsive therapy, or ECT, it usually conjures up terrifying images of cruel, outdated, and pseudo-medical procedures. This perception of ECT, formerly known as electroshock therapy, as dangerous and ineffective has been reinforced in pop culture for decades — consider the 1962 novel turned Oscar-winning film, “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s … Read more