As CES continues to push the boundaries of brain-computer interfaces, a new wave of companies is emerging with EEGs as their main tool. These devices promise to revolutionize our understanding of mental health, cognition, and productivity.
EEGs are non-invasive tools that measure the electrical activity in our brains. By placing electrodes on the scalp, researchers can record changes in voltages pushed out by our brains, which can be grouped into categories such as brain waves. Each type of brain wave represents a different state of mind: gamma (hard thinking), beta (anxious or active), alpha (relaxed), theta (creative, or dreaming) and delta (asleep).
While EEGs are not yet a replacement for clinical tools like fMRI, they offer several benefits over more complex methods. For instance, EEGs work in real-time, allowing users to monitor their brain activity immediately.
Companies such as Neurable and MyWaves are already using EEGs in various applications. Neurable's system uses an EEG headband to track a user's focus levels, alerting them when they start to lose concentration. Meanwhile, MyWaves offers a forehead-worn EEG that produces audio files based on the wearer's delta brainwaves.
Neurable has partnered with HyperX to create gaming-grade EEG headphones that can monitor gamers' focus and provide real-time feedback. In a demo session, I tested the system using Aimlabs, a tool for measuring reflexes, and saw significant improvements in my performance after just five minutes of practice.
Another company, Brain-Life, showcased an early prototype of its headband-based EEG system. This device can track brain activity over time and has potential applications in diagnosing conditions like epilepsy.
More companies are now working on integrating EEGs into wearable devices such as earbuds. Naox is a French startup that has built a clinical-grade EEG into a pair of true wireless earbuds, set to release later this year. This technology could enable users to track their brain health seamlessly in daily life.
However, there are also concerns about the misuse of these devices by consumers. Professor Michel Le Van Quyen warned against relying on wearable EEGs as "magic bullets" for brain health or cognition, emphasizing that they should be treated with reverence like a household thermometer rather than a medical device.
While it's too early to tell how these emerging technologies will shape our understanding of mental health and cognition, one thing is clear: the future of EEG technology holds much promise.
EEGs are non-invasive tools that measure the electrical activity in our brains. By placing electrodes on the scalp, researchers can record changes in voltages pushed out by our brains, which can be grouped into categories such as brain waves. Each type of brain wave represents a different state of mind: gamma (hard thinking), beta (anxious or active), alpha (relaxed), theta (creative, or dreaming) and delta (asleep).
While EEGs are not yet a replacement for clinical tools like fMRI, they offer several benefits over more complex methods. For instance, EEGs work in real-time, allowing users to monitor their brain activity immediately.
Companies such as Neurable and MyWaves are already using EEGs in various applications. Neurable's system uses an EEG headband to track a user's focus levels, alerting them when they start to lose concentration. Meanwhile, MyWaves offers a forehead-worn EEG that produces audio files based on the wearer's delta brainwaves.
Neurable has partnered with HyperX to create gaming-grade EEG headphones that can monitor gamers' focus and provide real-time feedback. In a demo session, I tested the system using Aimlabs, a tool for measuring reflexes, and saw significant improvements in my performance after just five minutes of practice.
Another company, Brain-Life, showcased an early prototype of its headband-based EEG system. This device can track brain activity over time and has potential applications in diagnosing conditions like epilepsy.
More companies are now working on integrating EEGs into wearable devices such as earbuds. Naox is a French startup that has built a clinical-grade EEG into a pair of true wireless earbuds, set to release later this year. This technology could enable users to track their brain health seamlessly in daily life.
However, there are also concerns about the misuse of these devices by consumers. Professor Michel Le Van Quyen warned against relying on wearable EEGs as "magic bullets" for brain health or cognition, emphasizing that they should be treated with reverence like a household thermometer rather than a medical device.
While it's too early to tell how these emerging technologies will shape our understanding of mental health and cognition, one thing is clear: the future of EEG technology holds much promise.