Interfacing man and machine, Elon Musk says his Neuralink brain implant now links up with any device that can be controlled by a computer or phone.

In a newly released demo, a paralyzed man with an implanted Neuralink chip is shown feeding himself simply by thinking the command — a milestone Musk describes as “the next step in human–AI symbiosis.”

According to Elon Musk, the “next step” and long-term goal for human–AI symbiosis is to achieve a species-level  merger of human brains with artificial intelligence via his company Neuralink’s implantable brain-computer interface devices.

Last month a Neuralink rival achieved FDA approvals to try its own brain interfacing chip on humans – to help them speak.

Are you a quadriplegic?

Neuralink has also listed its ongoing clinical trials. You can find them here on their website. They are now recruiting for a PRIME Study – an investigational medical device trial for a fully-implantable, wireless brain-computer interface (BCI) –  to evaluate the safety of our implant and surgical robot, and assess the initial functionality of our BCI for enabling people with quadriplegia to control external devices with their thoughts.

This study involves placing a small, cosmetically invisible implant in a part of the brain that plans movements. The device is designed to interpret a person’s neural activity, so they can operate a computer or smartphone by simply intending to move – no wires or physical movement are required.

“This research may help us find safer, more effective ways to implant and use our BCI to potentially restore and enhance computer control and other capabilities. If you have limited or no ability to use both hands due to cervical spinal cord injury or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) you may qualify,” Neuralink advertises.

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Neuralink, developed by Elon Musk, promises to help people who are paralyzed operate a computer with their thoughts. While first trials are being sought in humans with mobility issues we can imagine a future, (or not!), where humans are interlinked through our brains. It takes a massive amount of funding to build such a dream and now Neuralink is getting some competition, usually a good thing.

Paradromics, a US neurotechnology company says they have developed the highest data-rate brain-computer interface (BCI) platform, announced the US FDA has granted Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) approval to begin a feasibility study with their implant called Connexus BCI.

As the first company to receive IDE approval for speech restoration with a fully implantable BCI, Paradromics is excited to give participants the opportunity to control a computer and communicate via text or synthesized speech to recover connection.

Related: Womb implant is a success

The Connexus BCI is designed to record and decode brain signals at unprecedented rates of information transfer. “In Q1 next year we are launching a clinical study with the best engineered brain computer interface in the world,” said Paradromics’ CEO and founder, Matt Angle, Ph.D. “This is the device that patients deserve.“

The Connect-One Study will initially enroll two participants—with impaired speech and limited extremity movement (upper and lower) due to severe loss of voluntary motor control—who live within four hours of three clinical sites, UC Davis in Sacramento, Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, and Harvard Medical School.‍University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, MI – led by Investigator Matthew Willsey, M.D., Ph.D., a neurosurgeon with dual faculty appointments in Neurosurgery and Biomedical Engineering.

This FDA approval builds on key milestones for Paradromics, including three years of stable preclinical recordings, the first successful acute Connexus BCI implantation at the University of Michigan by Dr. Willsey, and the release of a scientific preprint demonstrating that the Connexus BCI delivers an industry-leading 200+ bits per second rate of information transfer in pre-clinical models. Paradromics has a Connect-One Study roadmap to add more sites, include more participants, and explore new BCI applications.

The Connect-One Study is the first in a series of clinical applications planned for the Paradromics BCI platform. Those interested in participating in this or future studies are encouraged to join the Paradromics Community.

The first study will look at restoring speech by Paradromics sees the future in enabling AI-powered treatments for motor impairment now and chronic pain, addiction, depression, and other neurological conditions in the near future.

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Optimists don’t just see the glass as half full—they also share similar brain activity, according to a new brain-imaging study. Researchers found that people with an optimistic outlook displayed synchronized neural patterns, especially when processing emotional information. In contrast, pessimists showed more individualistic and variable brain responses.

The study also revealed that optimists make a clearer distinction between positive and negative events, a cognitive pattern that may act as a buffer against mental health conditions like depression.

“The dramatic part of this research was seeing a very abstract, everyday feeling — the sense that some people think alike — become literally visible in the patterns of brain activity,” says co-author Kuniaki Yanagisawa, a social psychologist.

The findings open new avenues for exploring how shared perception and outlook may influence mental resilience—and offer insights into the neural underpinnings of emotional health.

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Microplastics have infiltrated nearly every aspect of modern life, from the personal care products we use to the food we consume. These tiny plastic fragments, often smaller than a grain of rice, have been linked to potential health risks, including harm to the digestive, respiratory, and reproductive systems. Some studies even suggest they may contribute to serious conditions such as lung and colon cancer. A recent study says that humans may have as much as one teaspoon of microplastics in their brains!

We are just starting to learn about the effects of microplastics and as they build up in the body the effects may be irreversible.

According to a newly released scientific paper, three medical experts assert that switching from bottled water to filtered tap water could significantly decrease annual microplastic consumption—dropping it by about 90%, from 90,000 to 4,000 particles per year.

How to reduce exposure to microplastics 

Completely eliminating microplastic exposure is unlikely, given their widespread presence in the environment. However, the researchers, publishing in Genomic Press, emphasize that targeting the most significant sources of intake is a more practical strategy.

“The dramatic increase in brain microplastic concentrations over just eight years, from 2016 to 2024, is particularly alarming,” notes Dr. Nicholas Fabiano from the University of Ottawa’s Department of Psychiatry, lead author of the Commentary. “This rise mirrors the exponential increase we’re seeing in environmental microplastic levels.”

Bottled water remains one of the largest contributors to microplastic ingestion. Data from the beverage industry indicates that bottled water was the most popular packaged drink in the US last year, with Americans consuming 16.2 billion gallons—a 2% increase from 2023. However, plastic particles can shed into bottled water over time, especially when bottles are squeezed or exposed to heat.

“Bottled water alone can expose people to nearly as many microplastic particles annually as all ingested and inhaled sources combined,” says Dr. Brandon Luu, an Internal Medicine Resident at the University of Toronto. “Switching to tap water could reduce this exposure by almost 90%, making it one of the simplest ways to cut down on microplastic intake.”

Other significant sources include plastic tea bags, which can release millions of micro and nano-sized particles per brewing session. He also highlights that how we heat and store food matters. “Heating food in plastic containers—especially in the microwave—can release substantial amounts of microplastics and nanoplastics,” he explains. “Avoiding plastic food storage and using glass or stainless steel alternatives is a small but meaningful step in limiting exposure.

“While these changes make sense, we still need research to confirm whether lowering intake leads to reduced accumulation in human tissues.”

If switching to filtered tap water isn’t an option, there are other effective ways to limit microplastic exposure.

Beyond bottled water, alcohol and seafood have been identified as other significant dietary sources of microplastics. Fish swim in a sea of microplastics and when we eat fish, we eat the plastic too. Researchers also warn against heating food in plastic containers, as this practice can release millions of microplastic particles per square centimeter in just minutes. Microplastics are less than 5mm in size and some are not visible to the naked eye. They can fibers from clothes, fragments and beads, or pieces of film used in food packaging.

Other recommendations for reducing exposure include:

• Storing food in glass or stainless steel instead of plastic
• Limiting consumption of canned and highly processed foods
• Avoiding microwaving meals in plastic containers

One study found that highly processed foods, such as chicken nuggets, contained 30 times more microplastics per gram than unprocessed chicken breast. This underscores the role of industrial food processing, where plastics are often used in various stages of production.

The global plastic industry produces approximately 460 million metric tons of plastic annually, with projections suggesting this could rise to 1.1 billion metric tons by 2050. We already see research that shows that recycling programs are a lie in the Western world as most plastics are not recycled and when recycling they emit toxic chemicals.

On an individual level, Americans are estimated to inhale and ingest between 39,000 and 52,000 microplastic particles each year. These particles have been found in human blood, lungs, kidneys, livers, testicles, the brain and even placentas.

Recent research suggests that microplastics can disrupt gut bacteria, cause inflammation, and harm intestinal cells. Even more alarming, a study published last month revealed that the human brain may contain the equivalent of a spoonful of plastic fragments.The researchers behind the latest paper advocate for more in-depth studies on the long-term health effects of microplastic exposure. They also call for clear regulatory limits on microplastic consumption.

While minimizing intake seems like a logical step, the authors caution that it remains uncertain whether these reductions will directly lead to lower plastic accumulation in human tissues. However, given the potential risks, making simple lifestyle changes—like switching to filtered tap water—could be a crucial step toward reducing microplastic exposure and protecting long-term health.

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The dangers of smoking aren’t new—but emerging research is now pointing to a shocking link between heavy smoking and unexplained strokes in younger adults, especially men aged 45 to 49. A new study, published in the February issue of Neurology Open Access, suggests that smoking may be a hidden culprit behind cryptogenic strokes—strokes with no known cause—that strike seemingly healthy individuals long before their senior years. The study does not mention if cannabis smoking is also a factor.

What Is a Cryptogenic Stroke?

A cryptogenic stroke is a type of ischemic stroke, which occurs when a blockage disrupts blood flow to the brain. But here’s the catch: unlike typical strokes, the cause of these blockages remains a mystery. The symptoms—weakness, trouble speaking, and vision problems—can be devastating. While most strokes happen after age 65, researchers are now seeing an increase in younger people with these unexplained strokes.

“While smoking has long been linked to ischemic stroke, little is known about how smoking affects people under 50, especially in those with unexplained stroke,” said Phillip Ferdinand, MBChB MRCP, of Keele University in the UK and a member of the American Academy of Neurology. “Recent research has shown an increase in younger people having these unexplained strokes, so it is important to evaluate any potential links. Our study found that smoking may be a key factor.”

To investigate, researchers analyzed 546 people aged 18 to 49 who had suffered an unexplained stroke, comparing them with 546 people of the same age and sex who had not. Participants answered questions about smoking habits, alcohol use, education level, physical activity, and other health conditions.

The Numbers Speak for Themselves

• Among those who had an unexplained stroke, 33% were smokers, compared to just 15% in the control group.
• Even after adjusting for other stroke risk factors like alcohol use and blood pressure, researchers found that smokers had more than double the risk of unexplained stroke compared to non-smokers.
• The risk was highest for men, who had more than three times the risk.
• The danger spiked for people ages 45 to 49, who had nearly four times the risk.
• Heavy smoking—defined as more than 20 packs a year—led to an even greater risk:
  • Heavy smokers faced a fourfold increase in unexplained stroke risk.
  • Male heavy smokers saw nearly seven times the risk.
  • Smokers aged 45 to 49 had nearly five times the risk.

Public Health Implications: Smoking Prevention Matters

The findings reinforce the need for stronger public health initiatives aimed at preventing smoking, especially heavy smoking, in younger adults. “Our findings suggest that continued public health efforts around preventing smoking, especially heavy smoking, may be an important way to help reduce the number of strokes happening to young people,” said Ferdinand.

Related: smoking shisha pipes may just be as bad as regular smoking

The study’s findings were primarily based on people of white European backgrounds, so additional research is needed to see if the results apply to other populations. However, the message is clear: quitting smoking, or better yet—never starting—could be a critical step in stroke prevention.

If you or someone you know smokes, consider this study another urgent reason to quit. Brain health is essential for longevity, and smoking is a risk factor that can be controlled. Explore more about stroke prevention and brain health at BrainandLife.org, where you’ll find expert-backed resources, podcasts, and guides on neurological wellness.

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The Green Mediterranean Diet Shows Promise in Keeping Brains Young

Age-related brain atrophy, the gradual loss of neurons and shrinkage of brain tissue, is a natural part of aging, which can lead to cognitive decline and other neurological issues. While so far aging cannot be prevented, recent research from an 18-month dietary intervention offers hope that lifestyle and dietary changes can slow brain aging. A new international study, led by Ben-Gurion University, as part of the DIRECT PLUS Brain MRI trial, has brought to light how blood sugar control can significantly impact brain health.

Brain age, as evaluated by MRI measurements of the hippocampus and lateral ventricles, reflects the biological aging of the brain, which can differ from a person’s chronological age. Chronological age is the number of years lived, while brain age indicates the brain’s actual health. Typically, as we age, the hippocampus shrinks and the lateral ventricles expand, serving as markers of brain aging. Some individuals have a brain age younger or older than their chronological age. A younger brain age suggests better cognitive health, while an older brain age may indicate accelerated aging and increased risk of cognitive decline.

Related: Where is love in your brain?

The study, which was published recently in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, was conducted by an international team of brain and nutrition experts, including researchers from Ben-Gurion University, Harvard University, Leipzig University, and more. The research was primarily carried out by Ph.D. student Dafna Pachter and overseen by Prof. Iris Shai, along with several international collaborators.

A previous study published two years ago American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, reported that Mediterranean (MED) and green-MED diets significantly attenuated age-related brain atrophy by ∼50% within 18 months.

In the current study, the researchers aimed to understand the mechanism by which the slowing of brain atrophy occurs.

The study found that a decline in HbA1c, and key markers of long-term blood sugar levels, are associated with significant positive changes in specific brain regions commonly affected by age-related atrophy. Brain MRI results showed that lower HbA1c levels corresponded to greater deviations in the thalamus, caudate nucleus, and cerebellum – areas crucial for cognitive function, motor control, and sensory processing. The study suggests that improved blood sugar control could be one of the most important factors in slowing down age-related brain changes.

Earlier research has highlighted the benefits of the Green Mediterranean (Green-Med) diet, including better blood sugar control. The Green-Med diet is rich in polyphenols from plant-based sources like Mankai (a high-protein aquatic plant) and green tea, while being low in red and processed meats. The current study further strengthens this connection by suggesting that the Green-Med diet may not only support metabolic health but also exert protective effects on brain structure and function.

One of the Largest Brain MRI intervention Studies in the World

The DIRECT PLUS trial, one of the longest and largest brain MRI studies conducted to date, involved approximately 300 participants who were divided into three dietary groups. Whole-brain MRI measurements were taken before and after the 18-month trial to track changes in brain health. The researchers used Hippocampal Occupancy (HOC), as a proxy for brain age which predicts future risk of dementia. HOC typically decreases with age. Interestingly, some participants exhibited a brain age either younger or older than their chronological age.

Using NeuroQuant, an FDA-authorized fully automated tool, the research team quantified and segmented the brain MRI-derived data. The study aimed to examine whether improved glycemic control and specific dietary components could slow down brain aging. The results indicated that participants who managed to improve their blood sugar levels and achieve normal glucose status experienced a more pronounced attenuation of brain aging. Notably, those who consumed higher amounts of green tea and Mankai duckweed shakes demonstrated the most significant improvements in both blood sugar levels and brain health.

Related: Knitting for brain health

Glycemic Control and Polyphenols: The Key to a Younger Brain Age?

The study’s lead researcher, Prof. Iris Shai, from Ben-Gurion University, an adjunct professor at Harvard University, and an Honorary Professor at Leipzig University, explains, “Maintaining low blood sugar levels, even within the normal range, shows promise for preserving a younger brain, especially when combined with a healthy diet and regular physical activity. Specifically, polyphenols found in plant-based foods may cross the blood-brain barrier and help reduce brain inflammation, which is crucial for memory”.

Dafna Pachter, a Ph.D. student and the first author of the paper, adds, “This trial offers a safe approach to potentially slow down our brain aging—by adopting the components of a green-Mediterranean diet.”

A Pathway to Reducing Age-Related Cognitive Decline

This study is one of the first large-scale trials to directly link dietary changes, particularly those associated with the Green-Med diet, to improved glycemic control and slower brain aging. While further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms at play, these results suggest a potential avenue for reducing the risk of age-related cognitive decline through relatively simple dietary adjustments.

The DIRECT PLUS trial was funded by grants from the German Research Foundation (DFG), Israel Ministry of Health, Israel Ministry of Science and Technology, and the California Walnuts Commission. None of the funding providers were involved in any stage of the design, conduct, or analysis of the study, nor did they have access to the study results before publication.

What is the Mediterranean Diet?

The Mediterranean diet isn’t a strict diet plan but rather a way of eating based on the dietary traditions of Crete, Greece, and Southern Italy during the mid-20th century. This area now includes food from Lebanon and Israel. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts, whole grains, fish, olive oil, small amounts of dairy, and red wine offered extensive health benefits.

Green Prophet has thousands of recipes that follow the Mediterrean Diet. Start here.

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A team of Hebrew University researchers have successfully used genetic engineering as a first step to what one day may allow scientists to genetically repair damaged brain circuits.  The process, which was performed in tiny translucent C. elegans worms, saw the introduction of synthetically engineered connections (or synapses), as a means for bypassing missing connections between neurons in an impaired brain.  

The team, led by Dr. Ithai Rabinowitch, a Neurobiologist in the Faculty of Medicine at Hebrew University, applied the genetically engineered bypass to repair a failed odor response in the worms due to neuronal loss.  With the synthetic bypass network in place, the worms successfully responded to the odor stimuli, a behavior that was diminished in the absence of the genetically engineered “fix.”

The study, published in Cell Systems was jointly led by Dr. Jihong Bai of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, Washington.

“While this is a discovery that has so far been limited to a tiny worm, it opens the door for potential applications that may be relevant down the road to humans,” Dr. Rabinowitch said.  “At present, various approaches are used for addressing human brain damage, including brain-computer interfaces that are based on external electronics rerouting information flow between intact brain regions. 

This research indicates a new potential route for addressing brain damage, whether caused by direct physical trauma or stroke or other neurological disease, through genetically engineered changes in brain connectivity that can serve as biological neural bypasses.”

The researchers say that the species chosen, C. elegans, measuring about a millimeter long, is very beneficial for biological research. Compared to us, the worm has a very simple nervous system, and yet it is a multi-cellular animal sharing many similarities with us. According to Dr. Rabinowitch the next steps will involve deeper testing of the broader biological impact of genetically inserted neuronal connections and also applying the approach to other neural circuits and other organisms.

“In studying this tiny worm, we were able to advance our theory in an organism that has only several hundred neurons as opposed to the tens of billions neurons in the human brain,” he says.  “Our great hope is that as this study advances and is applied more broadly in the worm’s nervous system and in other organisms, we will one day be looking at genetic therapies based on synthetic brain rewiring as possible treatments for devastating brain disease and damage.”

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The tragedy of two little girls dying from pesticide poisoning in Jerusalem, while their older brothers fight for their lives highlights the immediate daners of pesticides.  This tragic incident has finally succeeded in bringing to the forefront the seriousness of overuse of pesticides in a country whose best loved vegetables carry heavy pesticide loads.

Health issues from pesticides on crops and in the home is nothing new. Whether or not these toxic chemicals are directly sprayed on food, they eventually reach our underground water supplies and are present in the air we breathe as well.

The end result of exposure to various types of pesticides, especially DDT,  is now being ascertained in studies made by medical authorities in the USA which found correlations between people who had been exposed to the pesticide DDT having greater chance to be afflicted with neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s disease and dementia later in life.

Studies carried out by Jason Richardson, from the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in Piscataway, New Jersey found that although the debilitating mental condition known as Alzheimer’s disease is linked genealogical and lifestyle factors, being exposed to pesticides like DDT may also be contributing to mental deterioration later in life.

Altzheimer’s patients had 4 times the amount of DDT vs control

“DDE can last in the body for a number of years,” said lead author Jason Richardson of Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. “When you are looking at DDE levels, it is basically a snapshot of a person’s lifetime exposure to DDT as well as DDE in the environment.”

The findings were published in the journal JAMA Neurology.

Richardson said that while he expected to see a correlation between Alzheimer’s and DDE levels, he did not expect it to be so dramatic. The average amount of DDE in the serum of the 86 people in the Alzheimer’s group was four times greater than the average amount in the control group of 79.

The studies found that those people who were exposed to DDT and related pesticides had much higher levels of a substance called DDE, which is a broken down form of DDT.

“More than likely you’re looking at complex gene-environment interactions. What we found really gives us a starting off point. Now we can use that information to try to understand who is at risk, when and ultimately, why,” said Richardson.

“This is one of the first studies identifying a strong environmental risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease,” says co-author Allan Levey, MD, PhD at Emory University School of Medicine. “The magnitude of the effect is strikingly large — it is comparable in size to the most common genetic risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer’s.”

Another researcher, Kathleen Hayden of North Carolina’s Duke University says that researchers would want to follow people prospectively to see whether or not they later  become afflicted by Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.

“DDT exposure is not destiny that you’re definitely going to get Alzheimer’s disease. These are things that might increase your risk,” Hayden adds.

The use of DDT was banned in the USA during the 1970’s; but is still in use today in many parts of the world.

People known as “baby boomers” in the USA who were exposed in their youth to DDT and other strong pesticides are now reaching their 70’s and this may account for the rise in mind related illnesses.

In Israel, many immigrants during the 1950’s were literally hosed down with DDT by health works when arriving, due to fears that these people carried lice and other forms of vermin in their hair and on their bodies.

By far, the heavy use of pesticides like DDT being sprayed on crops in some countries is an issue that requires public attention as to what affect these pesticides have on humans.

From the tragedy of the deaths of two little girls, aged 1 1/2 and 4 from pesticide poisoning, the effects on humans of pesticides can be very sad indeed. The take home message is support organic agriculture, and even better yet buy products that support organic regenerative agriculture. And if possible, grow your own food. Start with a Victory Garden.

More on pesticides, including those in food:

Pesticide Poisoning Kills Two Kids in Jerusalem

Sustainable Table Film Shows what’s on Your Plate

Israel’s Best-Loved Vegetables Carry Heavy Pesticide Loads

Pesticides in Pregnant Jerusalemites Higher Than NYC Counterparts

The post How pesticides kill your brain appeared first on Green Prophet.

[youtube]http://youtu.be/9pDfxdWT2js[/youtube]

The Bolte Taylor clip comes from a stunning 2008 presentation, where the brain researcher described her analysis of her own stroke as it occurred: witnessing shut-down of her motor functions, speech and self-awareness.  It’s a classic TedTalk with over 2 million views.  Pressed for time?  Check in at the 6:40 minute mark and ride her astonishing experience to the end. It’s far from squeamish: an emotional recount of the overwhelming oneness of everything. (But do come back and hear her intro – she explains brain architecture in the most catchable way.)

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyyjU8fzEYU[/youtube]

Sorting through a stack of DVDs, I came across What The Bleep Do We Know, the 2004 indie film that posits a spiritual connection between consciousness and quantum physics.  This sleeper hit explored the idea that individual and group consciousness can influence the material world. (Can you hear the Dali Lama yawn?)

Isn’t this at the heart of sustainability?  Improve the world by concientious living. 

I must’ve watched it five times in as many years, each time I catch something new to chew on.

[youtube]http://youtu.be/m7dhztBnpxg[/youtube]

Middle East, the Americas, Asia, Africa: nothing happens in isolation.  We’re interlinked and co-dependent.

Blame it on a bone-melting massage I had this morning, but an interlude of peace, connectivity and provocative thinking seems a great sequeway to a new season.  Bring on September.

Image of green light bulbs from Shutterstock

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