Some scientists have already made the claim that octopuses could be aliens. While the claim may seem a bit unorthodox, new studies of their brains continue to show just how octopus-like the alien is, even if it’s not of extraterrestrial origin. According to a new study published Current BiologyThe octopus brain generates complex signals that scientists don’t yet understand.

The study was made possible by a new technique discovered by the researchers behind the study. This new technique allowed the researchers to record up to 12 hours of brain activity. The experiment itself is groundbreaking, but as noted above, scientists aren’t quite sure what to do about the signals they’ve detected in the octopus’s brain.

The study’s lead author, Dr. Tamar Gutnick says “octopuses are excellent animals to study” if we want to understand exactly how the brain works. Gutnick explained in a statement that they not only have big brains, but they also have unique bodies and enhanced cognitive abilities. It’s also difficult to map the brain activity of the octopus, Gutnick noted.

Because octopuses do not have skulls, their brains are covered by a fragile cartilage capsule. This capsule makes it very difficult to place electrode implants such as those needed to capture brain activity. In addition, octopuses cannot connect with their bodies, as they can easily remove objects from their bodies thanks to their long arms. So how exactly do you record an octopus brain?

Well, the researchers had to rely on a workaround. First, they placed a data logger and several electrodes inside the octopus. This was done by making a small incision between the eyes and inserting devices attached to a plastic card. This made it possible to insert the device directly into the lobes of the octopus’s brain.

By doing this, the researchers were able to capture clear brain signals from the octopuses. However, they have not yet been able to decipher them. Some waves resemble mammalian brain activity, even somewhat similar to the human brain. But others are more foreign. They lasted longer and had slower-than-expected releases. What’s more, the brain waves appeared to be in no way related to the behavior of the octopus. Their movements, missions, and other actions didn’t seem to provide a direct relationship with the waves the researchers were collecting, raising even more questions about these strange creatures that call Earth’s oceans their home. Source