Show Notes
The idea that technology may be able to directly capture and control our thoughts is both fascinating and scary. But this type of technology has been around and is continues to be developed for a variety of applications. In this episode, we speak to Dr. Susan Boehnke about brain computer interfaces and neuromarketing. We dive into the ethical implications of brain-computer interface (BCI) applications—are these technologies enhancing human potential or invading our privacy? We also unpack how the media's portrayal of BCIs often exaggerates their capabilities, contrasting it with their real-world use. Plus, we explore neuromarketing: the fascinating history of how companies use brain data to influence your choices and shape marketing strategies. Don’t miss this eye-opening conversation! Susan Boehnke completed a PhD in Neuroscience (2002) at Dalhousie University as a Killam Scholar using psychophysical and neurophysiological approaches to examine spatial processing in the auditory system. She then completed a postdoctoral fellowship in primate visual and oculomotor neurophysiology with Prof. Doug Munoz at Queen’s Univ. In collaboration with Profs. Munoz and De Felice (Brazil), she took a lead role in the creation and validation of one of the first non-human primate (NHP) models of Alzheimer’s disease using behavioural, neurophysiological, neuroimaging, and molecular approaches. She led development of the first NHP biobank in Canada, and the establishment of normative values of fluid biomarkers of neurodegeneration in macaques. During COVID, her team used the NHP facility at Queen’s to explore the effect of social enrichment and isolation on the brain.
In response to recent explosion of interest in neurotechnology, such as brain computer interfaces, she has now turned her attention to creating a micro-credential program in neurotechnology (https://neurotechmicrocreds.com/) and exploring ethical issues related to neurotech. She is also the lead of the Training Committee for Connected Minds: Neural and Machine Systems for a Healthy, Just Society, a large Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF) program between York and Queen’s Universities.
This episode is sponsored by the Connected Minds program. Connected Minds, funded by the Canadian First Research Excellence Fund, is a 7-year collaborative program between York University and Queen’s University that focuses on interdisciplinary, ethical, and socially responsible research and technology development. The program offers funding for trainees, researchers, and artists. To learn more and get involved, visit the Connected Minds website.
Website: https://www.yorku.ca/research/connected-minds/
Authors: Deanne Pinto, Eve Racette
Email: [email protected] Instagram: @thinktwice_podcast LinkedIN: Think Twice Podcast Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ThinkTwicePodcast
Disclaimer: Think Twice is a podcast for general information and entertainment purposes only. The content discussed in the episodes does not reflect the views of the podcast committee members or any institution they are affiliated with. The use of the information presented in this podcast is at the user’s own risk and is not intended to replace professional healthcare services.
More from Think Twice Podcast
What happens when the way you see your body doesn’t match how others see you? Do you really have a big nose, large pores, small muscles, etc., or is that "all in your head"? In this episode, we explore the neuroscience of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), including how differences in the brain's visual processing circuits and its perception of faces and bodies may contribute to a distorted body image. For people experiencing BDD, these perceptions can be deeply distressing and affect everyday life, relationships, and well-being. We discuss why understanding the condition as a brain-based mental health disorder is so important, and why changing someone’s appearance through cosmetic procedures may not address the underlying experience. By looking beyond what we see in the mirror, we explore how the brain shapes our perception of ourselves and what this means for effective treatment.
Why does vaping feel so pleasant and addictive to teenagers? With a single puff from a nicotine-based vape, you can send the reward system into overdrive and create a powerful connection between nicotine, pleasure, and motivation. And let's not forget about the whole social aspect! But why is it that teenagers are so much more sensitive to the impacts of vaping than adults are? In this episode, we explore how vaping interacts with the brain’s reward circuits and why this may be particularly important during adolescence, when the brain is especially plastic and constantly rewiring itself. We unpack the neuroscience of nicotine, reward, learning, and dive into what repeated exposure could mean for a brain that is so sensitive to changes.
Self-driving cars are often presented as the future of transportation ; we're making them safer, smarter... and fully autonomous. But how close are we really to achieving a reality where we can turn our brains off and let our vehicles take us to everywhere we want to go? Is the artificial intelligence used in these vehicles truly advanced enough that they can replicate brain functions like perception, attention and adaptive decision-making, so we don't have to use our own cognition towards these tasks? In this episode, we explore the many challenges facing autonomous vehicles, from navigating unpredictable environments to imitating the human brain to make split-second decisions under uncertainty. This conversation dives into the intersection of neuroscience, engineering, and artificial intelligence to better understand what it will take for autonomous technology to become fully reliable.
What if learning didn’t just depend on how hard you study or how good your teachers are, but also on how your study tools adapt to you? Artificial intelligence is reshaping education, turning old school classroom learning into personalized, dynamic experiences that evolve with every question you ask and with every new skill you acquire. From real-time feedback to tailored study strategies, AI isn’t just speeding things up, it’s changing how we learn, understand, retain, and apply knowledge. But as these AI systems get smarter, it raises a deeper question: do we have the necessary infrastructures to safely use AI in the classroom? In this episode, we dive into the promise, the pitfalls, and the neuroscience behind AI-enhanced learning.
The link between sleep and epilepsy is powerful, complex, and often overlooked. We know that sleep loss and disruptions can trigger seizures in epileptic patients. We also know that repeated seizures during sleep can fragment sleep and reduce the brain's ability to recover. In this episode, we sit down with Dr Shukla, a neurologist specializing in Epilepsy and Sleep, and discuss the intersection of sleep and epilepsy. We talk about the link between sleep disorders and epilepsy, how doctors diagnose sleep-related issues in epilepsy and why treating sleep problems can be an important part of seizure management.