Have you ever wondered if two brains could communicate directly, like in a sci-fi movie? Well, scientists are exploring this idea, and it’s not magic—it’s science! Recently, a study published in PLOS One explained how researchers connected two brains using the internet. While some people called it telepathy, it’s actually a fascinating scientific experiment.
An international team of scientists used a brain-computer interface (BCI) to read signals from one person’s brain. They turned these signals into a binary code, which is a language made up of 1s and 0s. This code was sent over the internet to another computer, which used a different interface to send the message to the second person’s brain.
Reading brain activity isn’t a new concept. Since the 1870s, scientists have used a technique called electroencephalography (EEG) to monitor brain activity. EEGs can detect the movement of ions in the brain without needing implants. In this experiment, both the sender and the computer learned to use specific movements to represent 1s and 0s. These movements created electrical signals that were sent to a computer 5,000 miles away.
In past experiments, scientists have shown that brains can control devices like wheelchairs or robots. This time, researchers focused on stimulating certain areas of the receiver’s brain to create phosphenes, which are tiny flashes of light that appear in your peripheral vision.
When the receiving computer got the binary code, it used a robot-assisted transcranial magnetic stimulator (TMS) to send the message. The robot targeted the brain area responsible for phosphenes, using magnets to create visual signals. This allowed the receiver to see lights that matched the binary message.
To make sure the receiver wasn’t influenced by other senses, they wore blindfolds and earplugs. While this might sound like something out of a fantasy novel, it’s actually a complex scientific experiment.
Although this setup wasn’t perfect, it’s an exciting first step toward brain-to-brain communication. In the future, we might be able to control devices with our thoughts or send messages directly to someone else’s brain.
What would you say if you could communicate directly with someone else’s brain? Share your thoughts! Thanks for reading, and if you found this interesting, explore more topics with us. Don’t forget to subscribe for more exciting content!
Imagine you’re a scientist working on brain-to-brain communication. Create a simple simulation using a computer program or a drawing to demonstrate how a brain-computer interface (BCI) might work. Show how brain signals are converted into binary code and transmitted over the internet. Share your simulation with the class and explain your process.
Learn the basics of binary code, the language of 1s and 0s used in the experiment. Create a secret message using binary code and exchange it with a classmate. Try to decode each other’s messages without any additional help. This will help you understand how information was transmitted in the study.
Research how electroencephalography (EEG) works and its role in reading brain activity. Create a poster or presentation that explains the history and applications of EEG. Include diagrams or images to illustrate how EEG detects brain signals. Present your findings to the class.
Conduct a simple experiment to understand phosphenes. Close your eyes and gently press on your eyelids to see the flashes of light known as phosphenes. Discuss with your classmates how this relates to the experiment in the article, where phosphenes were used to convey messages.
Participate in a class debate about the future implications of brain-to-brain communication. Discuss potential benefits, such as medical advancements, and challenges, like privacy concerns. Use evidence from the article and additional research to support your arguments.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
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Can two brains really communicate directly with each other? Did science just invent telepathy? Hello, everyone! This week, a study in PLOS One detailed how two brains were connected via the internet. The media went wild, claiming telepathy and other extraordinary phenomena. But this isn’t magic; it’s science.
Essentially, an international group of scientists used a brain-computer interface (BCI) to read the activity from one brain. They translated that activity into a binary message, sent it over the internet, and decoded it on the other end using a different type of computer-brain interface (CBI). The CBI then sent the signal into the receiver’s brain.
Reading brain activity isn’t new; we’ve been using electroencephalography (EEG) since the 1870s. EEGs monitor the movement of ions in the brain and can do so without physical implants. Both the sender and the computer had to be trained to encode the binary message by using specific movements for 1s and 0s. These movements create electrical signals in the brain that were transmitted to computers located 5,000 miles away.
This type of research has been conducted many times before, often to demonstrate that a brain can control devices like wheelchairs or robotic systems. However, in this case, researchers focused on stimulating specific areas of the receiver’s brain to create phosphenes, which are little flashes of light seen in peripheral vision.
When the receiving computer received the binary code, it was sent to a robot-assisted transcranial magnetic stimulator (TMS). The robot was programmed to target the area of the brain responsible for producing phosphenes. It activated magnets to create these visual signals, allowing the subjects to see lights corresponding to the binary message.
Great care was taken to isolate the receiver from other sensory inputs, including using blindfolds and earplugs. While it may sound impressive, it’s a complex set of scientific experiments rather than something magical.
As noted by some commentators, the setup wasn’t the most elegant, but it represents an exciting first step toward brain-to-brain communication. In the future, we might be able to control devices with our thoughts or send messages directly to others’ brains.
What would you want to say if you could communicate brain-to-brain? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments! Thanks for watching, and if you enjoyed this, check out my other show, where we explore various topics in depth. Don’t forget to subscribe!
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This version maintains the core information while removing informal language and expressions.
Brains – The organ in the body that controls thoughts, memory, emotions, and behavior – Scientists study how brains process information to understand human behavior better.
Communicate – To share or exchange information, thoughts, or feelings – Researchers communicate their findings through scientific journals and conferences.
Signals – Electrical impulses or waves that carry information – Neurons in the brain send signals to each other to process sensory information.
Science – The systematic study of the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment – Science helps us understand the natural phenomena that occur around us.
Experiment – A scientific procedure undertaken to test a hypothesis or demonstrate a known fact – In the experiment, students tested the effects of sunlight on plant growth.
Interface – A point where two systems, subjects, organizations, etc., meet and interact – The brain-computer interface allows people to control devices using their thoughts.
Binary – A system of numerical notation that has 2 rather than 10 as a base – Computers use binary code to process and store data efficiently.
Visual – Relating to seeing or sight – Visual aids, like diagrams and charts, help students understand complex scientific concepts.
Communication – The process of exchanging information or expressing thoughts and feelings – Effective communication is essential for scientists to collaborate on research projects.
Psychology – The scientific study of the human mind and its functions, especially those affecting behavior – Psychology explores how different factors influence human emotions and actions.
