Advertisement

Article

Tools to tickle your neurons

Nick

Nick

  • Updated:

Edward NygmaHow far are we from the day when your neurons control your favourite games rather than your keyboard or mouse? Maybe not that far at all according to US/Australian firm Emotiv who say they have developed a neuro-headset which will enable gamers to interact with games using their thoughts and emotions alone. This opens up all kinds of exciting (and frightening) possibilities. The one thing it definitely means is that games will require your full concentration because any variation in what you’re thinking – such as “I need a toilet break” or “I should be working really” – will affect your gameplay. The headset will go on sale later this year at a cost of just $299 and will surely add a whole new dimension to games such as Second Life if the developers decide to support it. Software aimed at your neurons are not exactly the target of developers working on a budget but there are some interesting neuron related apps out there to help get the electrical impulses going.

Neuronyx is designed to give your neurons a workout by matching cards, sounds and texts in the shortest amount of time. The theory is that such a type of test develops your neuron’s powers of recognition and strengthens the electrical impulses that power them – a more sophisticated version of Spot The Difference basically. Are your neurons dragging you down? If you’re plagued by negative thoughts then try using Neuro Enhancer Self Help which ambitiously attempts to improve your well being by improving your psychological well being by transmitting subliminal messages. This rather Orwellian piece of software prompts you to select messages such as “I am happy” or “I will not be depressed” and transmit them subliminally to your neurons….

Rather more convincing on the mental health theme is Wellness which is basically a directory of natural healing and therapy advice for a range of illnesses and symptoms including those that are supposed to help your neurotransmitters. Meanwhile if you suffer from Tinnitus then did you know that it’s actually a neural disorder in the brain rather than in the ear? According to the developers of TinnitusTamerWin3, “Tinnitus sounds are caused by positive feedback neurons in the auditory neural system in the brain” and their software uses a series of tones and frequency to correct and heal these neurons.

Finally, if you’re a medical professional, you might find that when the neuro-headset is eventually released, you have to deal with a steady flow of gamers with neurological disorders. If so, daED is designed to categorise a range of illnesses including those related to frazzled neurons.

Nick

Nick

Latest from Nick

Editorial Guidelines