We all wondered at some point in our life it would be fantastic if there were switch we could flip and shut down our feelings. Though it is fanciful at this stage, it is happening in China.
Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) clinical trial is the switch most of us wish for. Ironically, China which has a long history unorthodox history of conducting the medical experiment is becoming an emerging hub for this kind of medical research.
According to AP’s report, out of eight registered clinical trials for testing DBS to treat drug addiction, six are being conducted in China.
The first medical test of DBS for methamphetamine addiction is being piloted at Shanghai’s Ruijin Hospital, along with similar trials for opioid obsession.
They Out Two Holes in Skull
In this technique, doctors drill two small holes into addiction struggling patient’s skull and placing electrodes deep into their brain at the targeted areas. The targeted areas are the small structure near the base of the forebrain that has been implicated in addiction.
“This machine is pretty magical. He adjusts it to make you happy and you’re happy, to make you nervous and you’re nervous”
After this in a second surgery, Doctors implants a battery pack in a patient’s chest to power the electrodes in their skull (Yes, It is reborn of Iron Man).
Doctors use a tablet computer to remotely adjust the machine inside the patients head, making the patient feel agitated or cheerful with a tweak of the settings.
Some critics believe this surgery should not be allowed, arguing that such human experiments are premature and will not address the complex biological, social and psychological factors that drive addiction.
This experiment has opened a new field of human experimentation globally. Some believe this surgery should not be allowed, arguing that such human experiments are premature and will not address the complex biological, social and psychological factors that drive addiction.
Discussion about this post