Many of us are struggling. But treatments for mental health disorders like depression don’t help everyone. Join us for a 6-part look at the lives of people who have volunteered to test an experimental therapy: permanent brain implants. It will change the way you think about mental health, the brain and maybe even yourself.

Brain implants for depression: It sounds like science fiction but it’s real. The Deep End, a new podcast from Science News, will give you a glimpse of what it’s like to live with electrodes in your brain. It might change how you think about mental health, the brain and what makes you you.

Brain implants for depression: It sounds like science fiction but it’s real. The Deep End, a new podcast from Science News, will give you a glimpse of what it’s like to live with electrodes in your brain. It might change how you think about mental health, the brain and what makes you you.

The Deep End Trailer

Jon Nelson shares how he’s doing these days, now that his depression is gone.

Jon Nelson shares how he’s doing these days, now that his depression is gone.

Life after deep brain stimulation

Hear why he volunteered to get brain implants for his relentless depression.

Hear why he volunteered to get brain implants for his relentless depression.

Meet Jon Nelson

Jon Nelson explains what it’s like to live with severe depression, and listeners hear the backstory of an experimental treatment involving brain implants.

Jon Nelson explains what it’s like to live with severe depression, and listeners hear the backstory of an experimental treatment involving brain implants.

‘It felt like dread’

Jon Nelson wasn’t scared of brain surgery. His worry about the procedure was the same amount of worry he had about getting his teeth cleaned — none. What happened next was surreal.

Jon Nelson wasn’t scared of brain surgery. His worry about the procedure was the same amount of worry he had about getting his teeth cleaned — none. What happened next was surreal.

The void is gone

After surgery, Jon went through some big transformations. But his relief came with trade-offs.

After surgery, Jon went through some big transformations. But his relief came with trade-offs.

Living with brain electrodes

Jon details the intense stigma, shame and judgement that comes with depression and its treatments. Is there something different about changing our brains versus other body parts?

Jon details the intense stigma, shame and judgement that comes with depression and its treatments. Is there something different about changing our brains versus other body parts?

A 'no casserole' disease

Several years after surgery, Jon and others have found relief. Here’s a look at what’s next for them and what’s next for deep brain stimulation research.

Several years after surgery, Jon and others have found relief. Here’s a look at what’s next for them and what’s next for deep brain stimulation research.