Telepathy in Real Life – Sumaya Beri

Telepathy in Real Life – Sumaya Beri

~Sumaya Beri | 11C

In the reel world, brain to brain communication is commonplace. In real life, not so much. Can telepathy then be considered just another impossible and unrealistic cliche overused by science fiction series and movies? Not completely. It turns out, a dilute form of telepathy is actually possible in the real world, no matter how hard it is to believe. It can involve implanted electrodes in the brain, or less painfully, Electroencephalography or EEG. Large electrodes placed on top of one’s brain can record the electrical activity of larger cells in the brain, but since the signals must go through the skull and skin, we cannot expect extreme accuracy. Furthermore, the brain speaks in signals we cannot understand. To decode these signals, previously conducted experiments have sought after easily understandable and expected EEG activity that we have seen before- like the brain activity when one moves a limb, or even imagines doing so. These patterns now need to be sent into someone else’s brain to complete the telepathy experiment. Through implanted electrodes, it would be relatively simpler, as the current could be passed through them. It can, more realistically, be done through a Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation wand- a device that creates a very effective magnetic field at its top. If the wand is rested on one’s head, the magnetic field will pass to the brain tissue that is directly below it. The induced current caused by the magnetic field activates that part of the brain tissue. This is not a very controlled process, but if the wand is placed over the visual cortex, it can, quite reliably, cause triggered flashes of light known as phosphenes.  An experiment involving the given factors was conducted more than 8 years ago in 2014, when one person concentrated on something specific- a message converted to binary language ( ones and zeroes). The message was transferred through EEG sensors on the sender’s scalp. The flashes of light received by the person wearing the Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation wand as a headset signified either a one or a zero. The receivers then translated the messages- completing this telepathy in little over an hour. The experiment was proved successful. So yes, telepathy is possible, but it is not because of a genetic defect or a magical ability- it is all down to technology and science. 

~Sumaya Beri | 11C

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Curiosity, Vasant Valley School’s official science magazine, was created with the aim of “Igniting Young Minds”.

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