Ben Woodington: The Future of Brain-Computer Interfaces in Healthcare

Standing at a career crossroads, Ben Woodington faced a pivotal decision: pursue AI applications in healthcare, or dive into the then-nascent field of neurotechnology. His choice to develop tiny electronic implants for the human brain was driven by a profound question: which technologies would transform healthcare most dramatically over the next two decades?

In this eye-opening conversation with Méline, Ben reveals how his company Coherence Neuro is developing revolutionary brain-computer interfaces (BCI) that could transform disease treatment. Their first product, Soma 1 - a device smaller than a coin implanted flush with the skull – can deliver electrotherapy alongside detecting unique electrical signatures of cancer cells, creating an entirely new field of neural biomarkers.

The most powerful revelation? Our bodies' electrical activity underpins nearly every biological process, including cancer. By measuring these signals and stimulating tissues electrically, Ben's platform neurotechnology opens up remarkable new treatment possibilities beyond what drugs alone can achieve.

In this fascinating episode, discover:

·  Why BCI don't always require invasive implants
·  How tiny implantable devices can detect cancer progression through electrical signatures
·  The surprising ways electrical stimulation can treat diseases beyond brain disorders
·  Why the scientific hurdles have largely been solved, leaving engineering, clinical and ethical challenges
·  The profound questions we'll face as the boundaries between humans and machines continue to blur

As Ben notes, "The complete merging of machine data and human beings is going to solve a lot of our problems and diseases. That's super exciting to me. We've never had anything like that in the history of humankind." 

Through Ben's expert perspective, we glimpse a near future where our understanding of electrical biology transforms healthcare - and potentially what it means to be human. A world where devices smaller than a fingernail can extend our lives, where cancer becomes a manageable condition through electronic treatment and monitoring, and where we must navigate the complex ethical terrain of becoming intimately connected to our technology.

Subscribe to The HumanWare Project to join Méline Liu exploring the frontier where human potential meets cutting-edge technology.

**This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before making any health or lifestyle changes.**