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This is not at all uncommon: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/speaking-of-science/wp/2015/12/21/live-from-the-or-patient-plays-saxophone-during-brain-surger

This is not at all uncommon: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/speaking-of-science/wp/2015/12/21/live-from-the-or-patient-plays-saxophone-during-brain-surgery/ https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/speaking-of-science/wp/2... https://www.bustle.com/articles/35791-watch-inspiring-violinist-roger-frisch-play-during-brain-surgery-with-amazing-results-video https://www.bustle.com/articles/35791-watch-inspiring-violin... I've watched a few myself in person. Sometimes it's crucial to monitor preservation of function -- this is how it's done. Awake brain surgery isn't as crazy as it may seem.

tobz 9y ago
Nice username... :) It's totally logical, but wildly scary sounding. Is there any sort of anesthesia that is delivered which... I don't know... changes your perception as the patient to not think about the fact someone is poking your brain? Clearly they can eliminate the local feeling of the surgery, but how do you stop people from freakinggggggg out that it's happening? :P
- lightbyte 9y ago
  >Clearly they can eliminate the local feeling of the surgery They don't really do this, your brain has no pain receptors so you can't feel what they are doing by default. I do not think they would use any sort of drug to stop people from freaking out as well, because they would imply that the drug is messing with your brain chemistry in some way which can cloud any problems they are trying to notice. The whole idea behind the awake brain surgery is to quickly notice any changes in cognitive function from the person being operated on.
  - yorwba 9y ago
    I sure hope they apply some local anesthesia so you don't have to feel them saw open your skull. Of course the brain itself doesn't have pain receptors, but the surrounding skin does.
- Grangar 9y ago
  Lots of talking and mental preparation beforehand. My father had surgery for glioblastoma (brain cancer), he had to stay awake and count so the surgeon knew he didn't remove anything important.
- transcranial 9y ago
  A tremendous amount of trust is certainly involved. The brain itself doesn't actually have any pain receptors!
exabrial 9y ago
It makes me sad my comment was downvoted, I approach new claims with skepticism (like a good scientist does). But thanks for the links! Very interesting!

tobz 9y ago

Nice username... :) It's totally logical, but wildly scary sounding. Is there any sort of anesthesia that is delivered which... I don't know... changes your perception as the patient to not think about the fact someone is poking your brain? Clearly they can eliminate the local feeling of the surgery, but how do you stop people from freakinggggggg out that it's happening? :P

lightbyte 9y ago
>Clearly they can eliminate the local feeling of the surgery They don't really do this, your brain has no pain receptors so you can't feel what they are doing by default. I do not think they would use any sort of drug to stop people from freaking out as well, because they would imply that the drug is messing with your brain chemistry in some way which can cloud any problems they are trying to notice. The whole idea behind the awake brain surgery is to quickly notice any changes in cognitive function from the person being operated on.
- yorwba 9y ago
  I sure hope they apply some local anesthesia so you don't have to feel them saw open your skull. Of course the brain itself doesn't have pain receptors, but the surrounding skin does.
Grangar 9y ago
Lots of talking and mental preparation beforehand. My father had surgery for glioblastoma (brain cancer), he had to stay awake and count so the surgeon knew he didn't remove anything important.
transcranial 9y ago
A tremendous amount of trust is certainly involved. The brain itself doesn't actually have any pain receptors!

exabrial 9y ago

It makes me sad my comment was downvoted, I approach new claims with skepticism (like a good scientist does). But thanks for the links! Very interesting!