
Neura Pod (All Things Neuralink)
Neura Pod is a series covering topics related to Neuralink, Inc. Topics such as brain-machine interfaces, brain injuries, and artificial intelligence will be explored. Host Ryan Tanaka synthesizes information, shares opinions, and conducts interviews to easily learn about Neuralink and it's future.
Latest episodes

Jul 24, 2023 • 15min
How Neuralink Will Solve Blindness
00:16 Elon on helping quadriplegics and the blind
01:29 Neuralink background
02:52 James Douma explains how this works
04:34 Can Neuralink actually do this?
05:07 Neuralink will learn a lot
07:14 How we see
09:27 Improvements will occur rapidly
13:14 The brain is flexible
Zuby x Elon Interview: https://youtu.be/pjc_oo4ApSY
Think a tiny chip could be the answer to blindness? Sounds like sci-fi, right? Well, you might want to think again.
Here’s a clip of Elon sharing the first two problems his company Neuralink is focused on solving.
Around 40 million people around the world have some form of blindness. This number continues to grow, but fortunately this problem may become an issue of the past.
If you’ve been subscribed to Neura Pod, and already understand the basics of how Neuralink will work, go ahead and skip the next 60 seconds of the video.
So far, Neuralink has demonstrated they’ve successfully been able to implant this quarter-sized package in monkeys and other animals, and now that it’s time to test in humans, you’re probably wondering how this tiny package will be able to provide vision to those who don’t currently have it. Neuralink is working on building a brain-machine interface, or device that will help us send information from our brains to our computers and vice versa.
The surgery will require cutting open a hole in the skull, and having a surgical robot sew these very tiny threads into the brain. The threads have probes that can detect electrical impulses from the neurons and then send this information back to the chips.
Since there are many problems Neuralink hopes to solve in the future, like depression, blindness, or paralysis, they have to identify the best areas of the brain to implant these chips. In the case of paralysis for example, they’ll implant in both the motor cortex and the spinal cord. In the case of solving blindness, they’ll implant in the visual cortex in the back of the brain.
I had the chance to interview James Douma and ask him for more detail on how they’ll be able to achieve this.
Thanks for watching. My name is Ryan Tanaka. If you’re interested in hearing more from James about how Neuralink works, check out this video.

May 30, 2023 • 12min
Neuralink Update – June 2023
00:00 Intro
01:01 Outline
01:46 Head Neurosurgeon Discusses Implant Safety
02:20 Close-Up of Electrode Threads
03:51 Testing Neuralink’s Threads
04:47 Apply to Patient Registry
05:15 Practice Surgeries
06:02 Monkey looking for treats
06:32 Wireless Charger Heat Dissipation
07:52 Dr. Matthew MacDougall x Dr. Andrew Huberman
Neuralink’s Patient Registry (First step to be considered for clinical trials): https://www.neuralink.com/patient-registry/
Neuralink’s Head Neurosurgeon, Dr. Matthew MacDougall interview on Dr. Andrew Huberman’s channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=2739&v=3ZGItIAUQmI&feature=youtu.be&ab_channel=AndrewHuberman
Work for Neuralink: https://www.neuralink.com/careers/
The Singularity Lab w/ Michael Mataluni: https://www.youtube.com/live/HqY7cQwMz_o?feature=share
If all goes according to plan, the next episode will be called something like: "What's next for Elon Musk's company, Neuralink"
Neura Pod is a series covering topics related to Neuralink, Inc. Topics such as brain-machine interfaces, brain injuries, and artificial intelligence will be explored. Host Ryan Tanaka synthesizes information, shares opinions, and conducts interviews to easily learn about Neuralink and its future.
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/ryantanaka3/
Support: https://www.patreon.com/neurapod/
Please consider supporting by joining the channel above, or sharing my other company website with retirees: https://www.reterns.com/. Opinions are my own. Neura Pod receives no compensation from Neuralink and has no affiliation to the company.
#Neuralink #ElonMusk #Tesla

Apr 9, 2023 • 15min
Neuralink Update – April 2023
00:00 Intro
00:44 Neuralink x AI
01:30 Elon’s tweets
03:56 Elon's specific AI concerns
04:49 GPT10 x Neuralink v10
05:26 Why Neuralink?
07:09 Building images based on MRI brain data
07:40 Animal care
10:06 Monkey is doing well w/ upgraded implant
11:08 Neuralink imaging
11:25 Elon would implant kids w/ Neuralink
12:09 Patient Registry
12:39 Interviews
14:01 Dr. Krishna Shenoy
Vanity Fair, October 8, 2014: https://youtu.be/Ze0_1vczikA?t=7
Do You Trust This Computer?, April 5, 2018: https://youtu.be/aV_IZye14vs?t=4285
Future of Life Institute Open Letter to Pause AI Experiments: https://futureoflife.org/open-letter/pause-giant-ai-experiments/
Reconstructing images from MRI data, March 2, 2023: https://twitter.com/elon_alerts/status/1631704634631782423?t=MLEYZzzk6MdVgceIm79fcQ&s=03
Joe, Neuralink team, February 14, 2023: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/joesharron_i-am-proud-to-say-im-part-of-the-research-activity-7030981147077562368-vle_/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop
Elon would implant kids w/ Neuralink, November 30, 2022: https://www.youtube.com/live/YreDYmXTYi4?feature=share&t=9219
Imaging at Neuralink, April 4, 2023: https://twitter.com/neuralink/status/1643339633546215430?s=20
Neuralink upgradeability: https://www.youtube.com/live/YreDYmXTYi4?feature=share&t=1845
Neuralink’s Patient Registry: https://neuralink.com/patient-registry/
Dr. Cody Rall's TechforPsych: https://www.youtube.com/@CodyRallMD/featured
Herbert Ong's Brighter w/ Herbert: https://youtu.be/x_HOPQdeGO4
Neura Pod is a series covering topics related to Neuralink, Inc. Topics such as brain-machine interfaces, brain injuries, and artificial intelligence will be explored. Host Ryan Tanaka synthesizes information, shares opinions, and conducts interviews to easily learn about Neuralink and its future.
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/ryantanaka3/
Support: https://www.patreon.com/neurapod/
Please consider supporting by joining the channel above, or sharing my other company website with retirees: https://www.reterns.com/. Opinions are my own. Neura Pod receives no compensation from Neuralink and has no affiliation to the company.
#Neuralink #ElonMusk #Tesla

Mar 28, 2023 • 16min
Neuralink Update – March 2023
00:00 Intro
00:33 FDA human trials application
02:22 Synchron's Stentrode device
04:38 Neuralink's Patient Registry
04:59 Perri Karyal gaming w/ EEG
05:53 Elon discusses VR on Babylon Bee
06:59 Dr. Paul Nuyujukian analyzes Neuralink
08:57 Other BCI news
10:19 Kernel, Bryan Johnson, Project Blueprint
10:53 James Douma Interviews
15:34 Neuralink is hiring
Perri Karyal Gaming: https://twitter.com/JakeSucky/status/1618275174444593152?s=20
Elon Tweet (FDA Acronym poll): https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1632524437227716608?t=ouyMu9uz8xjq6QTQbqOyvw&s=03
Elon Tweet (SEC Acronym): https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1278764736876773383?s=20
Comparing Utah Array & DBS to Neuralink: https://www.youtube.com/live/r-vbh3t7WVI?feature=share&t=1578
First indications: https://www.youtube.com/live/YreDYmXTYi4?feature=share&t=1950
Monkey MindPong Deconstructed: https://youtu.be/rzNOuJIzk2E?t=240
Neuralink tweet (freshly baked chips): https://twitter.com/neuralink/status/1633243406368493569?s=20
Neuralink tweet (monkey business): https://twitter.com/neuralink/status/1635763304562827265?s=20
DJ Seo and BCI leaders: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jojoplatt_bci-bci-activity-7032067751993085952-Qg99/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop
Kernel announcement: Dr. Ryan Field promoted to CEO: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/kernel_precisionmedicine-neuroscience-neurotech-activity-7038912240581832704-oonN/
Bryan Johnson's Project Blueprint: https://medium.com/future-literacy/project-blueprint-360eaf1d8ea2
Neuralink tweet (surgery demonstration): https://twitter.com/neuralink/status/1638299507422113792?s=20
Patient Registry: https://neuralink.com/patient-registry/
Careers: https://neuralink.com/careers/
Neura Pod is a series covering topics related to Neuralink, Inc. Topics such as brain-machine interfaces, brain injuries, and artificial intelligence will be explored. Host Ryan Tanaka synthesizes information, shares opinions, and conducts interviews to easily learn about Neuralink and its future.
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/ryantanaka3/
Support: https://www.patreon.com/neurapod/
Please consider supporting by joining the channel above, or sharing my other company website with retirees: https://www.reterns.com/. Opinions are my own. Neura Pod receives no compensation from Neuralink and has no affiliation to the company.
#Neuralink #ElonMusk #Tesla

Feb 17, 2023 • 1h 58min
Learning about Neuralink w/ James Douma (ChatGPT x Neuralink)
00:00 Intro
01:01 ChatGPT x Neuralink
16:45 Inserting stents into blood vessels
26:48 Pros & Cons of Neuralink's architecture
31:55 Neuralink clinics
33:51 Downloading our minds onto a Tesla Optimus Bot
52:30 If you get a Neuralink, will you lose free will?
1:04:16 AI helping Neuralink
1:09:55 Everyone's brain is unique
1:23:16 Getting a Neuralink as a baby
1:25:20 Sleep paralysis
1:30:01 Nanotechnology x Neuralink
1:31:59 James has an idea for Neuralink
1:46:22 James' favorite answer to the Fermi Paradox
1:55:08 Haha :)
Neura Pod is a series covering topics related to Neuralink, Inc. Topics such as brain-machine interfaces, brain injuries, and artificial intelligence will be explored. Host Ryan Tanaka synthesizes information, shares opinions, and conducts interviews to easily learn about Neuralink and its future.
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/ryantanaka3/
Support: https://www.patreon.com/neurapod/
Please consider supporting by joining the channel above, or sharing my other company website with retirees: https://www.reterns.com/. Opinions are my own. Neura Pod receives no compensation from Neuralink and has no affiliation to the company.
#Neuralink #ElonMusk #Tesla

Jan 22, 2023 • 1h 60min
Neural network expert explains NEURALINK (in simple language)
00:00 Trailer
05:54 Tertiary brain layer
19:49 Curing paralysis
23:09 How Neuralink works
33:34 Showing probes
44:15 Neuralink will be wayyy better than prior devices
1:01:20 Communication is lossy
1:14:27 Hearing Bluetooth, WiFi, Starlink
1:22:50 Animal testing & brain proxies
1:29:57 Controlling muscle units w/ Neuralink
I had the privilege of speaking with James Douma- a self-described deep learning dork. James’ experience and technical understanding are not easily found. I think you’ll find his words to be intriguing and insightful. This is one of several conversations James and I plan to have.
We discuss: 1. Elon’s motivations for starting Neuralink
2. How Neuralinks will be implanted
3. Things Neuralink will be able to do
4. Important takeaways from the latest Show and Tell event
In future episodes, we’ll dive more into:
- Neuralink’s architectural decisions and plans to scale
- The spike detection, decoding algorithms, and differences among brain regions
- Robot/ hardware/ manufacturing
- Neural shunt concept/ future projects Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Neura Pod is a series covering topics related to Neuralink, Inc. Topics such as brain-machine interfaces, brain injuries, and artificial intelligence will be explored. Host Ryan Tanaka synthesizes information, shares opinions, and conducts interviews to easily learn about Neuralink and its future.
Support: https://www.patreon.com/neurapod
James Douma's Twitter: https://twitter.com/jamesdouma
Neura Pod's Twitter: https://twitter.com/NeuraPod
Ryan's Twitter: https://twitter.com/RyanTanaka3
Please consider supporting by joining the channel above, or sharing my other company website with retirees: https://www.reterns.com/. Opinions are my own. Neura Pod receives no compensation from Neuralink and has no affiliation to the company.
#Neuralink #ElonMusk #Tesla

Dec 21, 2022 • 29min
2023: Elon Musk's Neuralink Begins Chip Implants in HUMANS
Ryan covers these topics in this episode:
00:00 Intro
01:46 Neuralink’s Clinical Trials Timing & Patient Registry
04:01 Technical presentations (Things you may have overlooked)
07:19 World record
09:14 New vs old device versions
12:01 Physically upgrading your Neuralink
17:38 Commitment to animal care
22:12 The event & after party
Links:
Neuralink’s Patient Registry: https://neuralink.com/patient-registry/
Neuralink’s 2022 Show & Tell Event: https://youtu.be/YreDYmXTYi4
Neura Pod’s April 2022 Update (Animal Welfare): https://youtu.be/3qUhEXwrL74
Neura Pod is a series covering topics related to Neuralink, Inc. Topics such as brain-machine interfaces, brain injuries, and artificial intelligence will be explored. Host Ryan Tanaka synthesizes information, shares opinions, and conducts interviews to easily learn about Neuralink and its future.
Support: https://www.patreon.com/neurapod
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NeuraPod
Ryan's Twitter: https://twitter.com/RyanTanaka3
Please consider supporting by joining the channel above, or sharing my other company website with retirees: https://www.reterns.com/. Opinions are my own. Neura Pod receives no compensation from Neuralink and has no affiliation to the company.
#Neuralink #ElonMusk #Tesla

Nov 11, 2022 • 10min
#71 Neuralink: Elon Musk's Quest to Cure Paralysis
Neura Pod is a series covering topics related to Neuralink, Inc. Topics such as brain-machine interfaces, brain injuries, and artificial intelligence will be explored. Host Ryan Tanaka synthesizes information, shares opinions, and conducts interviews to easily learn about Neuralink and its future.
Support: https://www.patreon.com/neurapod/ Please consider supporting by joining the channel above, or sharing my other company website with retirees: https://www.reterns.com/.
Opinions are my own. Neura Pod receives no compensation from Neuralink and has no affiliation to the company.
Scripted/ edited/ voiced by: Ryan Tanaka
#Neuralink #ElonMusk #Tesla

Oct 24, 2022 • 47min
#70 Explaining Neuralink's Human Trials
Ellen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellenmaue/
00:00 Intro
01:02 Neuralink FDA application an IDE (Investigational Device Exemption?)
07:13 Full FDA trial timeline?
09:02 Does approval for one indication = approval for all?
10:20 Who selects trial participants?
11:48 Who is the principal investigator?
13:42 FDA equivalent in other countries?
16:00 General trial license possible?
17:46 Expedite timeline by paying more?
21:28 Neuralink trials special?
22:57 Trial process for drugs vs devices?
24:53 IDE, PMA, De Novo?
27:55 Class 1, 2, & 3 devices?
30:44 How often do research groups and companies work together?
34:09 Would merging with Synchron expedite the trials?
41:28 Comparing drug vs device patent life after approval
43:59 Neuralink's breakthrough device designation won't make approval faster
45:05 Additional context for Ellen's job
46:26 Thanks for watching. Please like/ subscribe.
Neura Pod is a series covering topics related to Neuralink, Inc. Topics such as brain-machine interfaces, brain injuries, and artificial intelligence will be explored. Host Ryan Tanaka synthesizes information, shares opinions, and conducts interviews to easily learn about Neuralink and its future.
Support: https://www.patreon.com/neurapod/
Please consider supporting by joining the channel above, or sharing my other company website with retirees: https://www.reterns.com/.
Opinions are my own. Neura Pod receives no compensation from Neuralink and has no affiliation to the company. Edited by: Ryan Tanaka
#Neuralink #ElonMusk #HumanTrials

Sep 21, 2022 • 11min
#69 Neuralink Update – September 2022
00:00 Intro
01:01 Halloween update event 🎃👻
02:10 Neuralink shop
02:41 Neuralink documentary (Trailer)
03:36 Merging with BCI Competitor?
05:04 Elon on Full Send podcast
06:05 Austin, Texas expansion plans
07:08 BrainGate2 Clinical Trials
08:02 Mark Zuckerberg talks Neuralink
09:11 Making a Neuralink Robot
10:19 Thank you/ Please subscribe :)
Neuralink Shop: https://shop.neuralink.com/
BrainGate2 Clinical Trials: https://health.ucdavis.edu/news/headl...
To learn more about the study, visit Braingate.org or contact braingate@ucdavis.edu.
Elon Musk on Full Send Podcast: https://youtu.be/fXS_gkWAIs0?t=5532
Neuralink Job Opening: "Manufacturing Engineer": https://boards.greenhouse.io/neuralin...
Patreon support: https://www.patreon.com/neurapod/
Neura Pod is a series covering topics related to Neuralink, Inc. Topics such as brain-machine interfaces, brain injuries, and artificial intelligence will be explored. Host Ryan Tanaka synthesizes information, shares opinions, and conducts interviews to easily learn about Neuralink and its future.
Please consider supporting by joining the channel above, or sharing my other company website with retirees: https://www.reterns.com/. Opinions are my own. Neura Pod receives no compensation from Neuralink and has no affiliation to the company.
Scripted/ voiced by: Ryan Tanaka
Edited by: Omar Olivares
#Neuralink #ElonMusk #Tesla
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