TECHNOLOGY THAT CAN SAVE OUR MIND AND BODIESBy Brett Minor

Brain Computer Interfaces (BCIs)• BCIs Link the electrical paths in our brains to devices which can operate appliances or devices within the household.

• Common applications: Home care for elderly, ease of access for disabled/handicap.

• Many medical applications could see benefit from this technology by allowing patients to access their home as they would prior to ailment.

Brain Computer Interfaces (BCIs)

Pros

• Inhibits full access to home for handicapped people

• Allows for more independence from social workers/on site nurses

• Helps enhance comfort for patients

Cons

• If it stops working it could prevent patient from accessing basic needs

• If wrong command, dangerous appliances could be energized

• Potentially invasive brain monitoring technology

Foc.Us Electrical Brain Enhancement• Headset that pumps electrical pulses into the brain to inhibit cognitive functions.

• Enhances memory, focus, attentiveness to detail, alertness.

• This technology could help our society become more mentally powerful to develop technologies and strategies to further help our race.

Foc.Us Electrical Brain Enhancement

Pros

• Accelerate learning and helps perform mental tasks

• Enhances cognitive function for memory recall and faster brain processing

• Easily perform tasks quickly without strain

Cons

• People don’t want to be dependant on it

• Have to wear a big headband for the effect to work

• Invasion of brainwaves• Not professionally proven

to work• Must use a cell phone or

tablet

NeuroStar TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation)

• Similar to MRI technology but for treating the brain for depression

• Stimulates key areas of brain to decrease depression and produce positive brain function

• Benefits without side effects

NeuroStar TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation)

Pros

• Provides non-invasive therapy without the use of prescription drugs

• Has been tested and proven to have benefit on patients

• Can treat all types of depression and leave a lifetime positive result

Cons

• Patient must have accessibility to their doctor for treatments

• It may cost money depending on what country you are in

Virtual Reality Therapy• Virtual Reality allows a person to transport their mind and body into another world to face their fears with professional help

• VR can be used to treat PTSD from military combat, different types of anxiety, or fear-fuelled mental illnesses

• Help patients to live a life without always living in fear

Virtual Reality Therapy

Pros

• Helps people with PTSD from military combat

• People who suffer from fear-born anxiety can benefit

• Develops an environment to overcome fear without harmful prescription drugs

Cons

• Forces the patient to reface their fears or events that trigger their illness

• Could potentially make the illness worse when facing fear

• Must be under highly educated professional guidance

DARPA Prosthetics• The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has

developed a prosthetic arm that links to the user’s motor cortex in the brain

• The arm is controlled by the mind and allows the user to feel things like a biological arm

• This will allow amputees to experience the astounding sensation of touch and feeling again, and start to rebuild their life

DARPA Prosthetics

Pros

• Gives the freedom of motion back to amputees and war victims

• Gives the wearer the priceless sense of touch in the prosthetic limb

• Allows for a higher self confidence of the wearer

Cons

• In early release the technology will be extremely expensive, and might only be available for veterans

• Defects could seriously harm wearer

• Must have a surgical implant which will add to the total cost

Electronic Aspirin• An almond size device situated behind a person’s eye sockets and nasal passages to stop the symptoms of chronic headaches, migraines and cluster headaches

• The device is operated with a remote that sends a signal to the device to send electric impulses to the nerves that mitigate these symptoms

Electronic Aspirin

Pros

• Can bring sufferers of cluster headaches, migraines and chronic headaches the relief they need

• Mitigates symptoms without harmful drugs

• Once inserted can be used for life, if needed

• Easily removable

Cons

• The device may be expensive

• Must undergo surgical implant of the device, which also adds cost

• If the device has defects or issues, it could pose a serious risk to the patient

Exo Skeleton• This technology helps people

with mobility issues regain the ability of full motion

• Exo skeletons are attached to the outside of the body with a suit, and does the work associated with the movement of each limb

• Can be controlled with the mind or movement feedback

Exo Skeleton

Pros

• Gives back full motion to those who have been affected by ailments that strip them of their mobility

• Allows them to have their life again, with the possibility of even being stronger

• No surgery required

Cons

• Expensive depending on the type of exoskeleton

• Can potentially be a very bulky unit

• Sometimes doesn’t mimic exact human motion

• Has the potential to defect or stop working which poses risk to the wearer

ConclusionAll of the technologies outlined in this presentation

contribute to helping the human race prosper and create a better life for each other. Whether it be helping people to regain motion and senses that they’ve missed all their lives, or improving the cognitive functions of the brain with electricity, these technologies truly give people a better and more positive life. After benefitting from the technology, these people can go on to do more great things for our society instead of worrying about their ailments at home. The continuation of medical advancement will contribute to the concept of social constructivism in this way for generations to come.

References• About NeuroStar TMS Therapy®. (2016). Retrieved July 31, 2016, from

https://neurostar.com/neurostar-tms-depression-treatment/• Afraz, N. (2014, April 04). A New Remedy For Migraine - ELECTRONIC ASPIRIN -

TechiNerd. Retrieved July 31, 2016, from http://techinerd.com/new-remedy-migraine-electronic-aspirin/

• Berkeley Robotics & Human Engineering Laboratory. (n.d.). Retrieved July 31, 2016, from http://bleex.me.berkeley.edu/research/exoskeleton/medical-exoskeleton/

• Daetz, A. (2015, May 25). New device enhances mental performance. Retrieved July 31, 2016, from http://abc7news.com/health/new-device-enhances-mental-performance/740215/

• Fernandez, A. (2015, November 10). 10 Neurotechnologies About to Transform Brain Enhancement and Brain Health. Retrieved July 31, 2016, from http://sharpbrains.com/blog/2015/11/10/10-neurotechnologies-about-to-transform-brain-enhancement-and-brain-health/

• Loria, K. (2016, January 22). Virtual reality is about to completely transform psychological therapy. Retrieved July 31, 2016, from http://www.techinsider.io/how-virtual-reality-is-used-for-ptsd-and-anxiety-therapy-2016-1

• Loria, K. (2016, January 22). Virtual reality is about to completely transform psychological therapy. Retrieved July 31, 2016, from http://www.techinsider.io/how-virtual-reality-is-used-for-ptsd-and-anxiety-therapy-2016-1