(SF) – If modern science conceived of a way to “pluck” unwanted fears, thoughts, and preferences from your mind, is that something you would be interested in? It sounds impossible, but a new study on non-conscious brain stimulation may just make it a reality.
Via a combination of artificial intelligence and brain scanning technology, scientists in Japan say they’ve discovered avenues to remove specific fears, boost confidence, and even alter individual preferences. They believe that in the future these techniques may lead to new treatments for patients dealing with issues like PTSD or generalized anxiety disorder.
All of this is incredibly promising, but researchers admit they haven’t perfected their approach just yet. While the treatment they developed has proven effective with many, some individuals haven’t seen the same benefits.
Study authors say a more thorough understanding of how the brain can self-regulate its own activity patterns would help this research immensely. In fact, this need for further information is why the team is releasing their findings right now. By releasing their dataset, they’re hoping the scientific community can help them “accelerate the translation from basic science to application.” READ MORE
