Neuralink & Technologies to Enhance Human Brains | Dr. Matthew MacDougall

In this episode my guest is Matthew MacDougall, MD, the head neurosurgeon at Neuralink. Dr. MacDougall trained at the University of California, San Diego and Stanford University School of Medicine and is a world expert in brain stimulation, repair and augmentation. He explains Neuralink’s mission and projects to develop and use neural implant technologies and robotics to restore normal movement to paralyzed patients and to those with neurodegeneration-based movement disorders (e.g., Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease) and to repair malfunctions of deep brain circuitry (e.g., those involved in addiction). He also discusses Neuralink’s efforts to create novel brain-machine interfaces (BMI) that enhance human learning, cognition and communication as a means to accelerate human progress. Dr. MacDougall also explains other uses of bio-integrated machines in daily life; for instance, he implanted himself with a radio chip in his hand that allows him to open specific doors, collect and store data and communicate with machines and other objects in unique ways. Listeners will learn about brain health and function through the lens of neurosurgery, neurotechnology, clinical medicine and Neuralink’s bold and unique mission. Anyone interested in how the brain works and can be made to work better ought to derive value from this discussion. Thank you to our sponsors AG1 (Athletic Greens): https://athleticgreens.com/huberman HVMN: https://hvmn.com/huberman Levels: https://levels.link/huberman Thesis: https://takethesis.com/huberman InsideTracker: https://insidetracker.com/huberman Supplements from Momentous https://www.livemomentous.com/huberman Huberman Lab Social & Website Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hubermanlab Twitter: https://twitter.com/hubermanlab Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hubermanlab LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-huberman Website: https://hubermanlab.com Newsletter: https://hubermanlab.com/neural-network Dr. Matthew MacDougall Clinical Practice: https://www.sutterhealth.org/find-doctor/dr-matthew-macdougall LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drmmacdougall Twitter: https://twitter.com/matthewmacdoug4 The Institute: https://www.theinstitute.com/fellow/matthew-macdougall Neuralink Neuralink: https://neuralink.com Neuralink’s Patient Registry: https://neuralink.com/patient-registry Join Neuralink: https://neuralink.com/careers Timestamps 00:00:00 Dr. Matthew MacDougall 00:04:05 Sponsors: HVMN, Levels, Thesis 00:07:38 Brain Function & Injury; Brain Tumor Treatment 00:13:52 Frontal Lobe Filter; Sleep Deprivation 00:19:00 Neuroplasticity, Pharmacology & Machines 00:22:10 Neuralink, Neural Implants & Injury, Robotics & Surgery 00:31:05 Sponsor: AG1 (Athletic Greens) 00:32:20 Neocortex vs. Deep Brain 00:36:45 Decoding Brain Signals 00:42:08 “Confidence Test” & Electrical Stimulation; RFID Implants 00:51:33 Bluetooth Headphones & Electromagnetic Fields; Heat 00:57:43 Brain Augmentation & Paralysis 01:00:51 Sponsor: InsideTracker 01:02:09 Brain Implants & Peripheral Devices 01:12:44 Brain Machine Interface (BMI), Neurofeedback; Video Games 01:22:13 Improving Animal Experimentation, Pigs 01:33:18 Skull & Injury, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) 01:39:14 Brain Health, Alcohol 01:43:34 Neuroplasticity, Brain Lesions & Redundancy 01:47:32 Car Accidents & Driver Alertness 01:50:00 Future Possibilities in Brain Augmentation & BMI; Neuralink 01:58:56 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube Feedback, Spotify & Apple Reviews, Sponsors, Momentous, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter Title Card Photo Credit: Mike Blabac - https://www.blabacphoto.com The Huberman Lab podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing or other professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice, and no doctor/patient relationship is formed. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast is at the user’s own risk. The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their health care professionals for any such conditions.

Andrew HubermanhostDr. Matthew MacDougallguest

Apr 17, 20232h 1mWatch on YouTube ↗

EPISODE INFO

Released: April 17, 2023
Duration: 2h 1m
Channel: Huberman Lab
Watch on YouTube: ▶ Open ↗

EPISODE DESCRIPTION

In this episode my guest is Matthew MacDougall, MD, the head neurosurgeon at Neuralink. Dr. MacDougall trained at the University of California, San Diego and Stanford University School of Medicine and is a world expert in brain stimulation, repair and augmentation. He explains Neuralink’s mission and projects to develop and use neural implant technologies and robotics to restore normal movement to paralyzed patients and to those with neurodegeneration-based movement disorders (e.g., Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease) and to repair malfunctions of deep brain circuitry (e.g., those involved in addiction). He also discusses Neuralink’s efforts to create novel brain-machine interfaces (BMI) that enhance human learning, cognition and communication as a means to accelerate human progress. Dr. MacDougall also explains other uses of bio-integrated machines in daily life; for instance, he implanted himself with a radio chip in his hand that allows him to open specific doors, collect and store data and communicate with machines and other objects in unique ways. Listeners will learn about brain health and function through the lens of neurosurgery, neurotechnology, clinical medicine and Neuralink’s bold and unique mission. Anyone interested in how the brain works and can be made to work better ought to derive value from this discussion. Thank you to our sponsors AG1 (Athletic Greens): https://athleticgreens.com/huberman HVMN: https://hvmn.com/huberman Levels: https://levels.link/huberman Thesis: https://takethesis.com/huberman InsideTracker: https://insidetracker.com/huberman Supplements from Momentous https://www.livemomentous.com/huberman Huberman Lab Social & Website Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hubermanlab Twitter: https://twitter.com/hubermanlab Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hubermanlab LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-huberman Website: https://hubermanlab.com Newsletter: https://hubermanlab.com/neural-network Dr. Matthew MacDougall Clinical Practice: https://www.sutterhealth.org/find-doctor/dr-matthew-macdougall LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drmmacdougall Twitter: https://twitter.com/matthewmacdoug4 The Institute: https://www.theinstitute.com/fellow/matthew-macdougall Neuralink Neuralink: https://neuralink.com Neuralink’s Patient Registry: https://neuralink.com/patient-registry Join Neuralink: https://neuralink.com/careers Timestamps 00:00:00 Dr. Matthew MacDougall 00:04:05 Sponsors: HVMN, Levels, Thesis 00:07:38 Brain Function & Injury; Brain Tumor Treatment 00:13:52 Frontal Lobe Filter; Sleep Deprivation 00:19:00 Neuroplasticity, Pharmacology & Machines 00:22:10 Neuralink, Neural Implants & Injury, Robotics & Surgery 00:31:05 Sponsor: AG1 (Athletic Greens) 00:32:20 Neocortex vs. Deep Brain 00:36:45 Decoding Brain Signals 00:42:08 “Confidence Test” & Electrical Stimulation; RFID Implants 00:51:33 Bluetooth Headphones & Electromagnetic Fields; Heat 00:57:43 Brain Augmentation & Paralysis 01:00:51 Sponsor: InsideTracker 01:02:09 Brain Implants & Peripheral Devices 01:12:44 Brain Machine Interface (BMI), Neurofeedback; Video Games 01:22:13 Improving Animal Experimentation, Pigs 01:33:18 Skull & Injury, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) 01:39:14 Brain Health, Alcohol 01:43:34 Neuroplasticity, Brain Lesions & Redundancy 01:47:32 Car Accidents & Driver Alertness 01:50:00 Future Possibilities in Brain Augmentation & BMI; Neuralink 01:58:56 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube Feedback, Spotify & Apple Reviews, Sponsors, Momentous, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter Title Card Photo Credit: Mike Blabac - https://www.blabacphoto.com The Huberman Lab podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing or other professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice, and no doctor/patient relationship is formed. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast is at the user’s own risk. The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their health care professionals for any such conditions.

SPEAKERS

Andrew Huberman
host
Dr. Matthew MacDougall
guest

EPISODE SUMMARY

In this episode of Huberman Lab, featuring Andrew Huberman and Dr. Matthew MacDougall, Neuralink & Technologies to Enhance Human Brains | Dr. Matthew MacDougall explores neuralink’s Surgical Future: Merging Brains, Machines, And Human Potential Andrew Huberman interviews neurosurgeon and Neuralink Head of Neurosurgery Dr. Matthew MacDougall about how brain function, brain surgery, and brain–machine interfaces intersect. MacDougall explains how neurosurgeons understand the brain as modular, fragile, and remarkably plastic, illustrating this with dramatic cases of frontal lobe damage and deep brain lesions. They outline Neuralink’s near‑term clinical mission—restoring digital communication and, eventually, body control to people with spinal cord injury—using ultra‑fine electrodes robotically implanted into motor cortex and, later, spinal cord. The conversation also explores ethical animal research, implanted peripheral devices, long‑term visions of cognitive augmentation and “telepathic” communication, and practical steps people can take to protect and improve brain health.

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