Neurohacking Intro & Discussion, Methods; Consumer Brain-Computer Interfaces
Details
Schedule
• Overview and Introduction to "Neurohacking"
• Discussion on Topics, Methods, Who is Who
• Talk: Consumer Brain-Computer Interfaces & the Neurofox/Brain-Duino Project (Willi Döring)
• Q&A
• What's next? (Further Discussion)
• Open End
Fellow Neurohackers!
On Monday, the 22nd of February, I would like to host the first Meetup at the c-Base Hackerspace, starting 7 PM. It will serve as an overview of what we define as 'Neurohacking'. This is followed by a who is who (Neurohackers may introduce themselves), as well as a moderated, broader discussion on the actual content and aims: we plan to constitute a hub, to exchange knowledge, to connect people (neuroscientists, psychologists, hackers, makers, developers, designers, to name a few), give workshops, talks, journal clubs, work on projects, and do excursions. If you have suggestions, something to contribute or discuss, please feel free to contact!
The first talk will be on Consumer Brain-Computer Interfaces, as part of the Cybernetics, Self-Optimization / Quantified Self aspect of Neurohacking. Outline: in recent years, affordable Brain-Computer Interfaces are becoming more accessible for consumers. Applications range from controlling computers / machines, biofeedback and Quantified Self. At first sight, the current generation of commercial devices seem to be decent in their functionality, and various use cases are suggested. However, neurophysiological signal quality, as well as limitations of software and hardware hackability are among the greatest issues and hurdles towards advancement in user experience. This talk is an overview, an outline of the technological status quo, and the emerging future.
Further information
Popular science articles with references to research papers:
• Researchers have discovered a much faster way to learn new skills (https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2016/02/12/how-to-learn-new-skills-twice-as-fast/)
• Researchers find drug that prevents age-related loss of brain function (ampakines) (http://www.examiner.com/article/researchers-find-drug-that-prevents-age-related-loss-of-brain-function)
• Sustained aerobic exercise increases adult neurogenesis in brain (https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/02/160208083606.htm)
• Harvard Yoga Scientists Find Proof of Meditation Benefit (http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2013-11-22/harvard-yoga-scientists-find-proof-of-meditation-benefit)
• Eight weeks to a better brain (http://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2011/01/eight-weeks-to-a-better-brain/) (mindfulness)
• Graphene shown to safely interact with neurons in the brain (invasive brain-computer interfaces) (https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/01/160129091452.htm)
• Mind-Controlled Prosthetic Arm Moves Individual ‘Fingers' (invasive brain-computer interfaces) (http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/media/releases/mind_controlled_prosthetic_arm_moves_individual_fingers_?preview=true)
• Minimally Invasive “Stentrode” Shows Potential as Neural Interface for Brain (http://www.darpa.mil/news-events/2015-02-08)
• Noninvasive brain control (optogenetics) (http://mcgovern.mit.edu/news/news/noninvasive-brain-control/)
• Neurohacking (brief definition on Wiki) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neurohacking)
• Brain Hacks discussed on Quora (https://www.quora.com/What-are-some-brain-hacks-that-a-neuroscientist-or-a-psychologist-knows-that-most-people-dont)
• Mindhacks.com (http://mindhacks.com/)
• 32c3 talk on the Evolution of Consumer Brain-Computer Interfaces (https://www.brainduino.com/32c3_evolution_of_bci.pdf)