Neuralink’s first brain implant patient reveals how the technology saved his life

Neuralink

Noland Arbaugh who became the first human to receive a Neuralink brain implant chip, recently revealed how this technology has changed his life. In an exclusive interview with ''Good Morning America's'' Will Reeve, Arbaugh stated that the device has given him full control of a computer, with the power of his thoughts, which was earlier impossible for him.

He further added that participating in this groundbreaking scientific research will help pave the way to improve the lives of paralysed people in future. He stated, ''I knew that if I did this then it would take a lot of headache and heartache away from the people down the road.''

The 30-year-old quadriplegic man became paralysed from the shoulders, after sustaining a spinal cord injury. He describes it as a freak accident after jumping into a manmade lake. For eight years he was paralyzed and was unable to move from shoulders down.

However, he had a turning point in his life, when a college friend recommended Neuralink's human trials of brain implant surgery. While his surgery in January 2024 was successful, recent technology-related issues almost resulted in the company considering the removal of the brain device.

The problem arose when some data was lost due to the retraction of several threads of the implant. Arbaugh also shared that he felt emotional, worrying that he might lose the benefits that the device brought to him, fearing the issues faced by recent users.

However, Neuralink co-founder DJ Seo assured everyone and said that the company was able to able to make modifications to the technology and improve Arbaugh's connection and some other users.