Science & Technology

'Brain weapons' could alter people's minds en masse, experts warn

By T.K. Randall
November 22, 2025 ·  6 comments

Image: AI-generated (Midjourney) The use of chemical weapons remains a major taboo in warfare - something that no self-respecting country would ever want to be seen to be using, developing or storing.

Now, though, scientists have warned of the development of a whole new class of weapon - a "brain weapon' capable of imparting mind-altering effects on anyone unfortunate enough to be targeted.

The warning comes courtesy of Michael Crowley and Malcolm Dando - two British academics from Bradford University whose work is intended to serve as a stark wake-up call to the whole planet.

"It does sound like science fiction - the danger is that it becomes science fact," said Crowley.

"We are entering an era where the brain itself could become a battlefield.""The tools to manipulate the central nervous system - to sedate, confuse or even coerce - are becoming more precise, more accessible and more attractive to states."

Several countries, including China and the USSR, have historically worked on developing such weapons, but now modern technology makes it far more likely that someone will succeed.

"The same knowledge that helps us treat neurological disorders could be used to disrupt cognition, induce compliance, or even in the future turn people into unwitting agents," said Dando.

The pair propose a new framework for controlling and monitoring the development of such weapons.

"We need to move from reactive to proactive governance," Dando added.

Source: The Guardian | Comments (6)

Tags: Brain, Weapon