Clinic of the Future Part IV: A Brief Primer on Emergent Neurotechnologies and final thoughts on the FDA decision

Emergent neurotechnologies are framed as a key pillar of a future “Clinic of the Future,” alongside relational and experiential approaches. The piece focuses on neurostimulation, especially transcranial focused ultrasound (tFUS), explaining how ultrasound waves can be targeted through the skull to modulate neural activity in specific brain regions. It contrasts tFUS with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), emphasizing claimed advantages like spatial precision, depth of penetration, and the ability to steer targeting without changing equipment. The author connects neurotechnology to psychedelic therapy in terms of shared timelines and mechanisms, including neuroplasticity and a shift away from chronic medication toward interventions intended to produce lasting brain and behavioral change. It also highlights real-world bottlenecks: regulatory hurdles such as FDA clearance, technical challenges like consistent skull targeting across patients, uncertainty about durability, and the need for clinical infrastructure. The post ends with final reflections on the FDA decision affecting the psychedelic development landscape and the role of narratives and regulatory friction (for example, the Overton window) in adoption.