Elon Musk's Bold Step: Neuralink's Second Human Trial on the Horizon

Elon Musk got approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to implant the Neuralink chip in a second patient, and they are currently looking for the perfect candidate.

What is Neuralink

Neuralink is a neurotechnology company that Elon Musk and others formed in 2016 to develop and manufacture implantable brain-machine interfaces (BMIs). These BMIs enable humans to connect with computers and other electronic devices directly by attaching to the brain with electronic treads that are many times thinner than human hair.

The threads can record and stimulate brain activity and might be able to help treat conditions like Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, and more. They can even help restore sensory and motor function.

Noland Arbaugh, the first person to receive the implant, demonstrated the amazing power of the Neuralink by playing chess on a laptop using only his thoughts. Still, Elon Musk says this is only the beginning.

Neuralink Problems

As can be expected with any new technology, there are still some bugs that the company needs to work out, which can understandably be upsetting to patients considering attaching it to their brains.

Noland Arbaugh suffered some temporary problems, in fact, and was quite upset when he lost his new abilities, which helped improve his quality of life. Still, Elon Musk said it was just part of the process, and no permanent damage resulted.

What Is Neuralink Looking for in a Second Patient?

Neuralink is looking for people older than 22 “who are living with quadriplegia due to a spinal cord injury or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).” The ideal candidate will have limited or no ability to use both hands, a stable medical condition, no implanted medical devices, and no history of seizures.

They install the Neuralink using state-of-the-art robots and microscopic needles for minimal damage. It’s cosmetically invisible and uses a small battery that you charge remotely.

Interested individuals can register their interest through Neuralink’s Patient Registry.

While there are some questions about a recipient dependent on this device for the remainder of their lives, especially after the reported problem, there is no doubt that it can be a powerful tool that helps many experience life in entirely new, previously unimaginable ways.