The Big Story Aug 14, 2026 6:00 AM
The WIRED Guide to Expanding Your Mind
From the multibrained octopus to the bitty brain organoid, we’re all just inference engines making flawed bets on the future. Here are the five insights your brain will need to survive.

We explore unusual ways our brains might adapt or augment in the near future: from octopuses with multiple brains to tiny organoids that could simulate human thought processes. Each insight offers a peek into how we might expand our cognitive capabilities, or perhaps better understand what it means to be self-aware.

Octopuses are known for their advanced problem-solving skills and even exhibit signs of individuality and memory—traits often associated with higher intelligence in mammals. Scientists speculate that multiple brains could lead to more complex sensory processing and decision-making. Meanwhile, brain organoids—which are clusters of brain cells grown in a lab—could offer clues about the basics of neural function without the ethical concerns of using live animals.

These insights aren’t just for neuroscientists; they’re also fascinating for anyone interested in the future of consciousness and cognition. They challenge us to think beyond traditional notions of intelligence and self, pushing us towards a more inclusive understanding of what it means to be smart.

Whether these brain tricks will actually help us survive or just make our predictions about survival more accurate remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: the future of mental expansion is looking both weird and wonderful.