Human body is perhaps one of the most complex machines in the world, and it is run by something even more complex: the brain. But even this amazing contraption is not infallible. While brain disorders continue to afflict people, it is conditions like depression and anxiety that are far more common. Fortunately, technology has been the greatest aid in combating brain disorders. As new innovations arrive, previously incurable brain conditions could now be treated. But things are not limited to just the medical point of view; there is a business aspect to it too. Brain health technology could actually prove to contain huge business potential.
The first opportunity follows the proverbial “prevention is better than cure”. Research has proved that increased brain activity and better brain training can actually reduce the chances of brain disorders like Alzheimer’s disease. Since 2010, there has been a sharp rise in the market for “brain improvement”. As mobile devices became more common, people are finding it easier to train their brains on-the-go. Brain training programs usually target various aspects of brain fitness like memory, observation, focus, spatial skills, analytical skills etc. The market for brain fitness programs is increasing and is expected to grow at least until severe brain disorders could be permanently cured.
Big data is everywhere, and healthcare industry is one of its primary clients. A recent trend suggests that the big data collected from an individual could help significantly in the diagnosis and possible cure of brain disorders. For instance, CNS Response has been collecting the reading patterns of patients, which helped doctors to gauge how the patient’s mental health deteriorated. Since big data is not going anywhere, it holds great potential as a business opportunity.
Talking about technologies of the future, we have Virtual Reality. VR has really caught the fascination of users in recent years, and this will only grow as the technology gets better. But one of the surprising uses of VR has been in brain health sector. Virtual reality has been used to build scenarios for patients, so as to accommodate them according to it. For example, soldiers suffering from PTSD have been subjected to situations that trigger them in a VR environment, until they learn to get a control over themselves. Claustrophic patients are made habitual to closed spaces through VR until the same gets replicated in real life. As the scope of VR for brain health keeps growing, so does the business opportunities for the same.
To be honest, what we discussed here is just a fraction of the business potential that brain health technology holds. While scientists are trying to cure neurological conditions, tech entrepreneurs are trying to restrain them as much as possible. For instance, the vibration-damping technology used to protect buildings against earthquakes is now getting used to build gloves that would stop shaking in patients suffering from Parkinson’s. Gadgets are getting developed to aid patients undergoing cognitive behavioral therapy. Sensors in phones are being enabled to track brain functions. In numerous ways, technology is aiding brain health. And every new innovation open new paths for business ventures. The future is exciting.