Brain waves, in many ways, resemble a full orchestra, with every section producing unique vibrations—the woodwinds, the strings, the brass, and the percussion. They each sound different, but work together to create a cohesive performance.

Neurotechnology, which is any tool meant to understand and visualize brain activity, functions a bit like sheet music—measuring the electrical activity made when a neuron fires, revealing if you’re sleeping or awake, agitated or anxious, problem-solving or depressed, and many more tells. Some tools can even manipulate these waves, potentially changing the user’s behavior.