
31 Products To Remind You That Alllll Humans Are Kinda Gross, Not Just You
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Lumps, bumps, puss, and gunk — the great equalizers.
1. A pack of AirPods-cleaning putty so you can finally excavate all the gross gunk living in your earbuds and get back to clearly hearing every 👏 last 👏 detail 👏 of your fave true crime podcast.
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"I never usually write reviews but this is an exception. I've had my AirPods for over a year, and when the sound quality was diminishing, I was afraid they had a short life expectancy, and I would need to get a new pair! Even after using cotton buds to clean the AirPods out, I thought that was enough until my friend said there was stuff built up that was hard to see, but there was nothing able to get it out! Enter this product — it literally took five minutes to clean each earbud effectively, and instantly the sound quality was as good as new! Loud, clear, less trouble connecting to my phone, etc. I really suggest giving this product a try. SO happy I found a solution!" — Amazon Customer
Get a 24-pack from Amazon for $15.99 (also available in a 12-pack).
2. An anti-dandruff shampoo for reducing scalp flaking and itching thanks to a little clinically proven ingredient called ketoconazole, which kills the fungus that causes dandruff. Now you and your favorite black turtleneck can reunite without fear!
www.amazon.com
Read more about ketoconazole shampoo at Cleveland Clinic.
Promising review:"This stuff is absolutely amazing. I was one step away from going to the dermatologist. I had severe dandruff that was so bad, I could shake my head and it would come off. With just a few uses per week, I got rid of all my flakes. My scalp also stopped burning from dryness. My hair has never been healthier." — Moo Moo
Get it from Amazon for $15.88 (also available with a conditioner).
3. A painless, mint-flavored teeth-whitening pen because staining is a part of life, and traditional strips are tough to use, expensive, and can leave you with teeth sensitivity that is, in my professional opinion, NO fun. With this pen, you can get quick results. And the best part? No lingering sensitivity.
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"I bought this on a whim when I saw someone review it on TikTok. After using it several times over the course of a week, I immediately noticed the difference in the color of my teeth. I'm a smoker and a heavy coffee drinker. I'm finding that this product will be a lifesaver in terms of what my smile looks like. I would definitely recommend!!" — Mully
Get a two-pack from Amazon for $17.95 (also available in packs of one and four).
4. An exfoliating mitt if you've had it up to *here* with dry, flaky skin. Enjoy the delightful feeling of disgust that comes with seeing dead skin slough away right before your eyes and knowing that you're going to feel SO SMOOTH after.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"I could tell these mitts were going to be exactly what I needed right out of the box. Excellent quality and easy to use! I've tried them twice already, and my skin is now incredibly smooth! After I scrubbed my arm, I looked at the mitt and saw it was covered with dead skin cells. I'll be buying more of these as gifts for girlfriends (in a fun spa gift basket)!" — Danielle
Get it from Amazon for $9.49 (also available in a two-pack).
5. A non-aerosol dry shampoo powder packed in a travel-friendly compact to help prolong wash day and revive greasy locks so you can basically roll right out of bed and into the office and STILL have coworkers complimenting your fabulous hair.
www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I am so glad I gave this product a try, as it works amazingly well on my fine, oily hair. I have used just about every dry shampoo product on the market, and this is by far the best one yet. My hair looks beautiful, and I can now go nearly a week without washing (while still having absolutely gorgeous hair)! I used to have to wash my hair every other day when I was using my former favorite dry shampoo (and it made my scalp itch on day two). This product is definitely worth a try, and it may soon be your favorite!" — Melanie Havert
Get it from Amazon for $12.59+ (available in six shades and in multipacks).
6. A bottle of professional-grade callus-removing gel so you can quickly get your feet ready to be seen by removing years' (I repeat, YEARS') worth of hard calluses without endless scraping and scrubbing. Time to schedule a date with you and your strappiest sandals!
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Just presoak your feet, apply the gel, let sit for 5–10 minutes, and rinse! It's recommended you go back in afterward with a foot file just to make sure no residue or dead skin is left behind.
Promising review:"I have the driest heels, and this is the ONLY product that has ever worked. Before I used this, my heels had some pretty deep cracks, and now they're almost baby-soft again. BUT please follow the directions. I left it on my super-dry, thick-callused heels for only three minutes, and the calluses were literally melting off! Wonderful product! So glad I don't have to go soak my feet in those tubs at the nail salon anymore." — Kiki
Get it from Amazon for $8.49+ (available in three scents and in a two pack).
7. A moisturizing saline gel for putting an end to the frequent nosebleeds and restoring some desperately needed moisture to your dry, irritated nasal biome. If you use a CPAP machine or get dried out on long-haul flights, I'd add this to cart STAT.
Promising review: "My girlfriend had recommended this product to me, and I only purchased a very small tube, not knowing if I would be satisfied or not. It really IS a good product. It helps put moisturize your nose. In the winter my nose gets dry from the heat and humidity, and I needed something to moisturize it. This product really IS excellent. I purchased a small tube, not knowing if I would like it or not, and I do. It's not costly, helps you, and is well worth the price." — SB
Get it from Amazon for $3.62 (also available in two-packs).
8. An anti-bacterial butt acne-clearing lotion made with tea tree oil that'll finally give your booty the same blemish-busting TLC you treat your face to.
www.amazon.com
Read more about tea tree oil and acne at Cleveland Clinic.
Apply this gentle treatment 3–4 times a day or 4–6 times if the situation is more serious.
Promising review:"This product is gentle on the skin but strong enough to combat any buttock issues caused by stress, environmental issues, or whatever. Living in the Deep South, we sometimes have a condition called 'swamp butt.' Little red bumps like a rash or breakout can form in sensitive areas. Using this product once a day after showering...I've had ZERO bumps in over three months. It works. Doesn't smell the greatest, but it's tolerable, for sure. Great product." — Billie B
Get it from Amazon for $20.70+ (also available in a two-pack).
9. A pop-up silicone drain protector because protecting your drain from hair means protecting yourself from having to pull a wet woolly mammoth out of your pipes in the future.
Promising review:"This has been my saving grace!! No longer do I have to routinely pull 3-foot-long strands of old goopy hair up out of my drain. Catches everything. Must-have for pop-up drains!!" — Chels
Get it from Amazon for $10.14.
10. But if it's too late for that, a flexible drain snake if you'd like some help extracting the hair monster living in your pipes. Skip (yet another) call to the plumber and let this tool's "micro-hook" head and rotating handle achieve the 360-degree removal you're used to paying top dollar for. Just keep a barf bag nearby — you might need it.
Amazon, www.amazon.com
This pack contains a reusable handle and five single-use heads that you just remove and dispose of after handling your clogged pipes.
Promising review:"Wow. Best thing ever. Seriously. I have had tweezers and sticks and plumbers and chemicals trying to get my master sink to drain. Plumber even said I need an entirely new faucet to get the drain plug part because they don't sell those separately. Well, I have two sinks, a tub, and a shower that all match, so that was not a valid solution. Doubt I can find the same model. So I bought this thing. Stuffed it down, pulled up hair, and black muck. Did it about eight times quickly, ran the water, and it went right down the drain. Seriously. This is the best tool ever and the best $12 I have ever spent. Everyone with a sink needs this tool. Seriously." — juliejules
Get a five-pack from Amazon for $15.99 (also available in a four-pack and in a 30-inch version).
11. A box of waterproof medicated pads you apply like bandages to finally force out the wart living rent-free under your skin.
Promising review:"I had a stubborn wart on my right thumb that has been there for almost a year. I went to the doctor the first time to freeze it, but it didn't completely remove the wart, so I decided to try the gel. The gel helped, but not for too long, and the wart came back (in a couple of days). Long story short, I got these medicated bandages and the results are incredibly satisfying. I used these bandages every day for a week, and the next week, my wart is gone. So far, it's been a week after and I haven't noticed any growth. Highly recommend!" — J
Get a pack of 14 from Amazon for $7.29+ (available in two styles and larger pack sizes).
12. An easy-to-use ear washer bottle for anyone who deals with earwax buildup, blockages, and impaction and wants to skip a pricey doctor's trip to flush it out.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Doctor Easy started 20 years ago with the invention of the Elephant Ear Washer by a doctor who saw the need for a better method of treating patients' earwax impactions.
Promising review:"Gross photos. My husband has had a lot of earwax impaction problems in his life, and up until this point, we have paid to have a professional take care of it. But recently, he suddenly lost about 80% of his hearing and just couldn't wait for an appointment, so we bought this item. From the reviews I have read, it was a particularly easy solution for my husband. Nasty huge chunks start falling out after just a couple of squirts. Cleared everything out with no problem. Highly recommend." — Tea
Get it from Amazon for $31.95.
13. A stainless-steel tongue scraper that'll prove to be a small-but-mighty investment when you see all the weird tongue goo living in your mouth causing bad breath and bacteria buildup.
Read more about tongue scraping at Cleveland Clinic.
Promising review:"I was a little unsure what to expect. I had never used something like this before, but my girlfriend says my breath stinks, and she deserves better than that. I brush and floss, but there is still that 'thing'...that stank under the normal mouth breath. Using this has removed that. Not really sure how it works or why that layer of spit and stuff on your tongue has to smell so bad, but this removes it well and also feels kinda nice. Thank you!" — nick
Get two from Amazon for $8.95+ (available in two finishes, two versions, and in a larger pack size).
14. A jetted bathtub cleaner because have you ever thought about the gross grime hiding in your Jacuzzi jets? Now that you've been cursed with that thought, you're probably going to want to give your tub a rinse. Just fill it with water, pour the cleaner in, run your jets, and let the "yuck" seep out.
Oh Yuk is a family-owned small biz that's been selling its innovative, America-made cleaning products since 2011.
Promising review:" This stuff is seriously amazing! I am relentless about cleaning my tub because I use it so often and always get grossed out if I don't. Before I purchased this, I used the typical homemade recipe of bleach and powdered dishwashing soap. I'd have to run two or three cycles to get it crystal clear. One cycle with this stuff, 15 minutes, and the results are amazing! The first photo (above) is of my tub running with the solution. Then, I drained it (second photo) and wiped it down with a sponge. When I refilled the tub up and reran the jets, I kid you not, the water was CRYSTAL CLEAR! See for yourself in the last photo! I'm so impressed!" — Chelsea
Get it from Amazon for $18.73+ (available in two sizes).
15. A double-sided hairbrush cleaning brush if you're lowkey disgusted by how much hair is stuck in your brush. This handy tool will do a better cleaning job than your fingers ever could, with a pointed end for picking out tangles and stiff bristles to remove all that built-up hair, dust, and fluff.
Promising review:"This is the tool I never knew I needed. It may seem like a silly thing to spend money on when you can clean your brush out by hand, but this gets so much more out of the brush! It's easy and rather enjoyable. Who wants to brush their nice, clean hair with a brush full of dirty, oily hair and dust? When you really think about it makes you want to throw out all your old brushes. I will be buying these as gifts for all my girlfriends." — emmaline
Get it from Amazon for $11.95.
16. A volcanic stone face roller to instantly soak up excess face oil, even if you have makeup on! Unlike blotting papers, this roller is able to be washed and reused. Mattifying and money-saving? Sign me up.
Promising review:"I am so extremely oily. I have been dealing with my oily skin since I was in high school and am still dealing with my oily skin in my mid-thirties. The roller worked better than I could have expected and exceeded my expectations. This is life-changing for me!" — Wow
Get it from Amazon for $8.07.
17. An easy to apply fungal nail renewal formula because you've got a toenail (or two, or three) that's thick, discolored, or brittle. Apply this fast-acting formula and you could start seeing visual improvements in as little as two days, so start picking out a new pair of sandals — stat!
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"I tried EVERYTHING! I tried tree tea oil for years and various different products. Nothing worked. The reviews were so great on this that I decided to try to cure it one more time. But when you have had a condition for 35 years, you aren't too hopeful! I followed the suggestions of some of the reviewers and cut my toenails (I only had it on my big toes) everywhere that the fungus was present. Even below the quick. I started applying this gel, which is super easy to use. I swear to you that I noticed a difference after one application." — WIAPilot
Get it from Amazon for $16.87+.
18. A box of Mighty Patch pimple patches containing hydrocolloid so you can stop that zit dead in its tracks with gunk-absorbing powers that speed up the pimple healing process. The sticker format can also help prevent you from any habitual picking or popping.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: " I am an older millennial who suffers from adult acne because I can't stop touching my face throughout the day. I'm usually sitting with my hand on my chin or cheek, so I break out. I also never leave my pimples alone to heal. These little things are amazing. I will put one of them on a pimple overnight, and in the morning, the pimple is completely flat. It heals so fast. These have become a staple in my life. I highly recommend them." — Stella
And check out BuzzFeed Shopping editor Amanda Davis 's full Mighty Patch review for more info!
Get a pack of 36 from Amazon for $12.99+ (also available as a pack of 72).
19. An easy-to-use denture cleaner tablet that you simply plop in warm water with your dentures, mouth guard, retainer, or aligners for a stain-fighting, odor-busting clean that's worth smiling about.
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"I have a TMJ mouth guard that is about 12 years old, and nothing else I've tried had managed to clean it like this stuff. It didn't take everything off the first time, but it makes a HUGE difference. Very satisfied." — Sara E
Get 120 tablets from Amazon for $18.54 (available in other pack sizes and styles).
20. A doctor-recommended Squatty Potty because any tough "gotta go" urges will go a little (or a lot) smoother thanks to this stool's natural colon-aligning prowess.
Read more about constipation relief at home, including using a squatting position, at Cleveland Clinic.
If you want more Squatty Potty content before making the best purchase of your life, check out our Squatty Potty review.
Promising review:"Unbelievable how effective the Squatty Potty is. I bought it as a joke, but it really works. Amazing how the natural position works. Others in our family have bought Squatty Potties and agree. We are fans." — Lucy
Get it from Amazon for $21.49+ (available in three styles). For a more ~aesthetic~ throne, splurge on the acrylic version for $79.99 or the teak wood version for $50.99.
21. A coconut-scented nail strengthening cream if you hate deciding between eye-popping manicure prices or sporting short, brittle nails that are constantly chipping. Fortunately, there's a third option! This non-greasy formula is packed with calcium, moisturizing oils, and vitamins to strengthen nails and condition cuticles.
Promising review:"This cream is a game changer for my nails. I have ridges on most nails and struggle with splitting and chipping. I have been using Hard as Hoof for one week, 3x daily. I can see a huge difference already! The product soaks in quickly and is easy to apply. I will keep on using it, excited to see how it goes after a month or so." — JWoodathome
Get it from Amazon for $7.10.
22. Or a clear nail biting polish with a bitter taste to help you finally break the habit and grow the enviable long nails you've always wanted.
Promising review:"This really helps!!! I've been biting my nails to the nub for 24 years. I have nails now and I don't bite anymore; that's all I wanted. This product made that happen. It tastes SO bad; I never realized how much I subconsciously put my hands in my mouth until I used this. However, I figured I should warn you/give you guys a heads up, be prepared to taste this on ANY AND ALL foods you have to eat with your hands. To me, that was a small sacrifice I was DEFINITELY willing to make to get my nails to this point. I don't even need to use it anymore because now I'm more aware of my nails. All in all, I HIGHLY recommend this product." — Kelsey Walton
Get it from Amazon for $19.
23. A 2-in-1 cradle cap comb with a combination of fine-tooth and silicone bristles so you can gently remove flaky scalp buildup and get your baby some relief from any dryness and itchiness.
www.amazon.com
Read more about cradle cap — aka seborrheic dermatitis — at Seattle Children's and the American Academy of Dermatology. Be sure to check in with their pediatrician first before trying any treatments like the comb above.
Promising review:"It makes removal so much easier and gives more consistent removal than my previous method of washcloths or just scratching the cradle cap off with my fingernails. It's amazing, gross, and wonderful. My babe doesn't even flinch when I spend 10 minutes clearing his scalp of all the goo. It seems to be soothing to him. I just apply baby shampoo, then brush a little with the blue brush. Then I slowly start to comb in sections all in one direction. Then, I go back and forth in multiple directions. It's shocking the amount of dead skin that comes off. I've even used it successfully in his eyebrows (he gets some cradle cap there, too). This is a KEEPER!" — ZMomUtah
Get it from Amazon for $3.99.
24. A pair of charcoal shoe deodorizers for protecting your nose from catching a whiff of something foul when you finally remove your sweaty flats after a long day of work. These little packets use bamboo charcoal to absorb odors and moisture for 100% chemical-free freshness.
www.amazon.com
You can reuse them for up to two years! Set them out in the sun for an hour to re-activate the charcoal.
Promising review:"I have a pair of black leather flats that stank so badly my husband would yell at me if I took them off anywhere near him. But I love the shoes!!! So I had to find something to make the stench go away without leaving me with an allergic reaction. This was the answer. I honestly couldn't believe it. A few days after placing them in my prized shoes I took a whiff from about a foot away. Nothing. I got closer. Nothing. I stuck my nose practically in the shoe. OK, maybe that's pushing things, but I've got to tell you that 95% of the broken-in leather grossness was gone. So happy!!!" — Erin
Get a set of two from Amazon for $9.95.
25. A pack of hypoallergenic deodorant wipes that are a convenient way to freshen up from anywhere by neutralizing odors from all your stinkiest nooks and crannies — underarms, underboob, back of the knees, and, yes, even down there!
Promising review:"I use these wipes after long walks in summer heat when I'm not at home to shower. They get rid of the sweat and leave me clean and refreshed without the sticky feeling you get from most wipes." — sherry baker
Get a three-pack (45 wipes) from Amazon for $15.99 (available in two other pack sizes).
26. A soothing piercing solution because you've been watching that bump growing on your new piercing for weeks and it's time to take action. This aftercare formula is designed to reduce the size of your keloid over time with 2–3 daily applications.
This product does not promise to work overnight, so be patient! The healing process takes time!
Talk to your doctor before attempting to treat your keloid on your own, and learn more about keloids from Cleveland Clinic.
Promising review: "This product is amazing! Truly a miracle product. I had an AWFUL keloid forming near my nose piercing about six weeks after getting it done, and it was getting bigger and more irritated by the day. Nothing was helping. I bought this and started using it, and in less than two weeks, my huge keloid was completely gone! I was definitely skeptical and a little nervous when it didn't seem to be getting noticeably smaller after a week, but then, the second week, it started totally disappearing, so give it some time to work if your bump is on the larger side. If you remain patient and apply it twice a day, it should do the trick!" — Jordan Caprigno
Get it from Amazon for $12.85 (also available in a two-pack).
27. A tube of antiperspirant hand cream if you experience palmar hyperhidrosis (aka excessive hand sweating), and want a solution that doesn't involve perpetually drying your palms on your pants. Apply a pea-sized dab of this non-greasy formula both day and night to help reduce hand sweat all day.
Amazon
Read more about the use of antiperspirants to manage symptoms of hyperhidrosis at Cleveland Clinic.
Promising review:"I used this product on my 10-year-old son. He sweats A LOT on his hands. He would tell me that he was embarrassed at school and he had problems making friends. My son told me he had never shaken a hand outside of mine ever before in his life...it broke me. As a father, I knew I had to fix this. I set an appointment with his doctor and got nowhere. The doctor said it's normal and should go away in the coming years. I asked about surgery and they said it would be around $10,000, so I started saving. Couple weeks went by and I came across this product I asked my son if he was OK with trying it and he desperately said yes. We put it on, and his hands are completely dry now. When it worked, he started practicing shaking hands and high-fives with his brother. It's been two weeks now, and it is working AMAZING." — HECTOR LORENZO
Get it from Amazon for $19.95 (available in two scents and in multipacks).
28. Some seamless bra liners made from an ultra-soft blend of cotton and bamboo to prevent under-boob sweat stains and all the chafing and discomfort that comes with it.
Promising review:"This is one of those things that I wish I'd found years earlier. I've suffered from mortifying stress-induced under-boob sweat for most of my adult life. Also, I'm a lifelong Seattle girl who gets upset when it's warmer than 65 degrees outside. So when I stumbled upon this product, I was curious enough to buy a small pack. And yes, I've come back for MORE! For real, I won't put on a bra without one of these liners now. It absorbs all the moisture from heat and stress. And because it's a really soft bamboo/cotton mix, my skin is finally not feeling tortured under there! To the makers of this ingenious life-changing product: thank you, thank you, thank you! Sincerely, all the grateful ta-tas you've helped to care for." — Niko
Get a three-pack from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in women's sizes M–XXL and six color sets).
29. A multipurpose tea tree balm so itchy, irritated skin can get the relief it needs with a non-greasy formula that's packed with nourishing ingredients like beeswax, eucalyptus, and macadamia oil. It also helps protect your skin's natural barrier, so slather this on before hot, sweaty workouts to help keep your swampiest bits clean and happy.
Puriya is a family-owned and operated business founded by two Taiwanese sisters who integrated their products with foundational ingredients from their mother's home-brew concoction of herbs and spices that she used to soothe their eczema as children.
Read more about how tea tree oil can help with athlete's foot from Mayo Clinic.
Promising review:"I ordered this balm on a whim as a remedy for a skin rash and was very impressed with its effectiveness! After getting rid of my rash, I decided to try it elsewhere and it worked wonders on dry skin areas like elbows, knees, and feet. I was blown away by how I changed my feet entirely! As a dancer, my feet have always been a war zone: dry skin, callouses, ingrown toenails, and athlete's foot (all frequent problems over the course of many years). I was always embarrassed to wear sandals or any type of shoes that would show off parts of my feet because of all the dry skin, but sometimes, it couldn't be avoided. This balm has made my feet the loveliest they have been, and now I can choose any type of shoes I want to wear without embarrassment." — anengstrom
Get it from Amazon for $36.32.
30. A tonsil stone remover for finally treating the root cause of chronic bad breath. The tool has a built-in LED light for easily finding and extracting the stone, while the included syringe makes cleaning out the pocket left behind quick and easy.
Amazon, www.amazon.com
If you suspect you have tonsil stones (also called tonsilloliths), talk to your dentist or doctor so they can perform a physical exam or imaging scan and deliver a diagnosis.
Promising review:"I'm in my early 30s and just started getting tonsil stones. Until a few months ago, I never even knew what these things were! Anyway, I've been struggling with cotton buds to fully remove the stones, but I couldn't get rid of them, and they would just come back within the week. I received this and OMFG...best investment ever. No struggle holding my phone as a flashlight while awkwardly poking myself in front of my badly lit bathroom mirror. I sat comfortably at my vanity, used one hand, and removed the whole stone in less than a minute. Why did I not know this was a thing? Why have I been struggling? Get it! Stop struggling, suffering, and awkwardly dealing with this ridiculous condition...trust me." — Wren
Get it from Amazon for $9.98+ (available in two colors and a multipack).
31. An easy-to-use nasal spray because seasonal allergies have you enduring a perpetual stream of snot. This saline rinse washes away irritants and helps to reduce tissue swelling so you can stop mouth breathing and rubbing your nose raw with tissues.
www.amazon.com
Read more about nasal sprays and allergies at Cleveland Clinic.
Promising review:" I cannot live without this spray! I have had bad sinuses since I was a kid. My boss recommended Xlear to me, and I have been a believer ever since. It actually burns sometimes when you spray it in your nostrils, but that is due to the xylitol. After a few minutes, your nose starts to run and then the nasal passages are clear. Don't just try it once and say it doesn't work...use it as directed...it DOES work. At 53 years old with sinus challenges all my life, I am living proof! I use it all through allergy season...safe, effective, and NATURAL!!!" — KayKay67
Get it from Amazon for $11.99 (also available in multipacks).
Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.

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Instead, EEG reports are typically generated every 12 or 24 hours and then analyzed to determine whether a patient is experiencing a neurological issue. It can take two to four hours to manually review a day's worth of brainwave data. 'This type of thing is time-consuming. It is subjective, and it is experience- and expertise-dependent,' says Imad Najm, a neurologist and director of the Epilepsy Center at the Cleveland Clinic's Neurological Institute. The system that the Cleveland Clinic and Piramidal are developing is designed to interpret continuous streams of EEG data and flag abnormalities in seconds so that doctors can intervene sooner. 'Our model plays that role of constantly monitoring patients in the ICU and letting the doctors know what's happening with the patient and how their brain health is evolving in real-time,' says Piramidal's chief product officer Kris Pahuja. Pahuja and CEO Dimitris Fotis Sakellariou founded Piramidal in 2023, with the goal of building a foundation model for the brain—an AI system that can read and interpret neural signals broadly across different people. Prior to this, Sakellariou spent 15 years as a neuroengineer and AI scientist doing EEG research. Pahuja worked on product strategy at Google and Spotify. Their startup, which is backed by Y Combinator, raised $6 million in seed funding last year. The company built its ICU brain model using publicly available EEG datasets, as well as proprietary EEG data from the Cleveland Clinic and other partnerships. Sakellariou says the model incorporates nearly a million hours of EEG monitoring data from 'dozens of thousands' of patients, both neurologically healthy and unhealthy. Brain activity patterns are extremely variable from person to person, so building a brain foundation model requires huge amounts of data to capture common patterns and features. 'The beauty of a foundation model is the same way ChatGPT can generalize text, it can adapt to your tone, it can adapt to your way of writing—our model is able to adapt to the brains of different people,' Sakellariou says. Currently, the Cleveland Clinic and Piramidal team is using retrospective patient data to fine tune the model. In the next six to eight months, they plan to test the model in a tightly controlled ICU environment with live patient data and a limited number of beds and doctors. From there, they aim to slowly roll out the software to the entire ICU. Eventually, the software will allow the hospital system to monitor hundreds of patients at once, Najm says. The slow rollout is to reduce the rate of false positives and false negatives—instances where the system misidentifies patients who don't have a severe event or failing to catch someone who does. The latter scenario especially is 'a big problem that keeps us awake at night,' Najm says. Piramidal did not comment on the model's current accuracy but said it has evaluated its technology against a network of doctors and has achieved 'human-like' performance. The company plans to publish data on the model's accuracy at a future date. While Piramidal's immediate focus is applying its brain foundation model to the ICU, Sakellariou and Pahuja also want to use it for epilepsy and sleep monitoring. Meanwhile, brain-computer interface company Synchron is developing a brain foundation model incorporating data from trial participants to make its system more accurate and generalizable to more users. There are also consumer applications of brain foundation models, such as using EEG earbuds to measure emotional states. Both medical and consumer applications raise questions about how brain data will be used and stored, as well as how and when it should be used. 'Advancements like this one highlight the need for anticipatory ethical frameworks that support responsible development and use of these technologies,' says Caroline Montojo, president and CEO of the Dana Foundation, a private philanthropic organization dedicated to neuroscience research. 'It's critical to bring in many different perspectives at early stages of technology design from multiple disciplines, including ethicists, social scientists, and legal scholars, as well as the lived experiences of patients.'
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Travel + Leisure
17 hours ago
- Travel + Leisure
Amazon Shoppers Are Walking 20,000-step Days Pain-free in These $50 Shoes That Are as Comfy as $150 Hokas
Tested on the trails of national parks, the endless walkways at Walt Disney World, and the concrete floors of hospitals, these podiatrist-recommended sneakers have endured 10-plus-mile travel days and 12-hour work shifts. The verdict? Travelers and nurses alike say they are comfortable, supportive, and pain-free—a winning combination for walking shoes in our book. Nearly 4,000 people have given them a perfect rating at Amazon, many writing that the quality and design are on par with higher-end Hokas. But while the average pair of Hoka shoes goes for $150 to more than $200, these lookalikes cost only $65—and they're on sale for even less right now. Here's why reviewers say they'll never go back to wearing 'regular shoes' again—and why you should grab a pair now while they're only $50. The Bronax Road Runner sneakers are perhaps best known for their wide toe box, providing plenty of room for toes to move and splay naturally. A wide toe box can help prevent painful problems like bunions, calluses, and blisters. And reviewers say it also helps reduce pain if you already have these foot issues. One person with 'an extremely bad bunion and hammertoe' said they've spent hundreds on other shoes but still experienced a lot of pain—until they tried the Bronax sneakers. 'The first day, I wore them [for] 9.5 hours with an insert for a little cushion,' they said. 'I did not have any burning pain or anything. This shoe was absolutely perfect.' Another said their podiatrist recommended the shoes for their corns. Based on customer feedback, the brand has settled on half an inch as the ideal measurement between where the toe ends and the shoe begins—you know, that space you would normally gauge with your thumb. That essential clearance allows you to run or walk down hills, for example, without your toes hitting the front of the shoe, which can lead to problems like ingrown toenails, subungual hematoma, or general pain and bruising. A nurse who has plantar fasciitis wrote that they 'needed that wide toe box.' Several other nurses called it their favorite shoe, and many say the Bronax sneaker has 'taken the place' of much more expensive Hokas. The insoles are removable, so you can take them out if you find that the shoes are a little tight. The sneakers have a heel-to-toe drop of 10 millimeters (about 0.4 inches), accounting for ample cushion and rebound in the EVA foam midsole. The mesh upper keeps them extremely breathable. They've been called 'the motherload of comfort,' as suitable for running a half marathon as they are for brunch. If they're good enough to wear for a 12-hour nursing shift with 'the world's pickiest feet,' then they're probably a smart shoe choice for your next trip; travelers have tested them out on everything from a 20-mile backpacking excursion to a month-long sojourn in Europe. They've also walked 10 miles a day in them (roughly 20,000 steps a day) for a whole week at Walt Disney World. 'They didn't hurt my bunion or squeeze my feet,' a Disney parkgoer wrote, calling them 'an absolute godsend.' And, people are even running half marathons in them. Whether you're looking for footwear to keep up with your extreme antics or just a comfy new airport shoe, these Bronax Road Runners offer Hoka-level comfort at a third of the cost. Buy them ASAP to get them for $50, 23 percent of the regular price. Read on for more $60-and-under Hoka lookalikes at Amazon. At the time of publishing, the price started at $50. Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we'll send you our favorite travel products each week.