• News
  • Film and TV
  • Music
  • Tech
  • Features
  • Celebrity
  • Politics
  • Weird
  • Community
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content
First human with a Neuralink brain implant reveals how he used it all night when he first got it

Home> Technology> News

Updated 20:12 30 Jul 2025 GMT+1Published 10:14 27 Mar 2024 GMT

First human with a Neuralink brain implant reveals how he used it all night when he first got it

The patient said that the life changing device 'makes being paralyzed not that bad'

Niamh Shackleton

Niamh Shackleton

Neuralink's first human patient has spoken out about how much the innovative device has changed his life.

Noland Arbaugh, 29, is the first person to have the brain implant fitted.

The young man was a victim of a ' freak diving accident' eight years agp, which left him paralyzed from the neck down.

Advert

But his new Neuralink has allowed him to enjoy the things he used to - in particular, video gaming.

As to how the implant works, the chip is said to use 'thin, flexible threads equipped with 1,024 electrodes that record the activity of neurons', Capital Technology University explained.

Neurons are the nerve cells that send messages all over the body to drive nearly all human function.

Advert

The university further explains on its site: "The coin-sized device is powered by an advanced custom chip within the implant that processes these signals and transmits them to a digital device through a standard Bluetooth connection –– a novel step in BCI development.

"Surgical robots meticulously weave these threads into the cerebral cortex, which is responsible for the brain’s higher-level processes like learning and emotion, to ensure precise placement of the electrodes."

Arbaugh had the device fitted in January, as confirmed by company founder Elon Musk, but his identity wasn't revealed until recently.

Noland discussed his life after surgery with Neuralink employees.
@ModdedQuad/X

Advert

Over the weekend, Arbaugh shared a video of a speech he gave at the Neuralink headquaters 'a few weeks back'.

In the hour-long clip, Arbaugh gave a glowing review of his life changing new brain implant and shared details of what his life has been like since having it fitted.

The 29-year-old told Neuralink employees: "It makes - this is going to sound really kind of crazy - but it makes being paralyzed really not that bad.

"Anything that makes me more independent I'm all for and this is probably going to make people like me the most independent that they might ever be until it all gets cured - and I think that's a very real possibility."

Advert



"What you all are doing is just going to change the world," Arbaugh later added.

Advert

"It’s going to change how people like me are able to just live their lives."

In regards to the surgery itself, Arbaugh insisted that it was 'easy'.

While he was expecting a long recovery period, he was discharged just a day later.

Along with his speech was a presentation of the first month of the 29-year-old's life since his surgery.

Advert

In one clip, he was seen playing Mario Kart with his dad.

Elsewhere, Arbaugh shared that since having his Neuralink fitted, he's played hours of chess and has stayed up late playing Civilization VI.

Sounds like time well spent to me.

Featured Image Credit: @ModdedQuad/X

Topics: Gaming, Health, News, Science, Technology, Neuralink

Niamh Shackleton
Niamh Shackleton

Niamh Shackleton is an experienced journalist for UNILAD, specialising in topics including mental health and showbiz, as well as anything Henry Cavill and cat related. She has previously worked for OK! Magazine, Caters and Kennedy.

X

@niamhshackleton

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

6 hours ago
a day ago
2 days ago
4 days ago
  • 6 hours ago

    Mind-blowing footage of SpaceX Dragon orbiting Earth has everyone saying the same thing

    The SpaceX clip brought the age-old argument to the surface once again

    Technology
  • a day ago

    Tesla owner who's driven more than 300,000 miles reveals the shocking impact it’s had on battery health

    Jason McKnight crunched the numbers on his Tesla Model Y

    Technology
  • 2 days ago

    NASA astronaut shares exactly how much they get paid in a very blunt three–word statement

    Being a NASA astronaut may not be as lucrative as you'd imagine

    Technology
  • 4 days ago

    Harvard scientist proposes six-word message be sent to mysterious object aiming at Earth that he says is 'not natural'

    Physicist Avi Loeb shared his thoughts ahead of the object making its closest approach to the Sun

    Technology
  • Elon Musk's first Neuralink patient shows remarkable image he can draw with his mind 18 months after brain installation
  • Elon Musk's $50,000 Neuralink brain chip explained as third patient has it implanted
  • Paralyzed man who became first to receive Elon Musk's Neuralink chip reveals how it has changed his life
  • 'Incredible' footage shows the sixth human to receive Elon Musk's Neuralink implant playing video games with his mind