It feels like something out of a Gibson novel, doesn't it? A tiny chip, thinner than a human hair, tucked inside a skull, turning thoughts into clicks. People talk about it like it's already everywhere, or like it's a terrifying "Black Mirror" episode waiting to happen. But if you actually look at the numbers, the reality is a lot quieter—and honestly, way more interesting than the hype.
So, let's cut to the chase. How many people have neuralink right now?
As of January 2026, the circle of "Telepathy" users—that’s Neuralink’s name for the interface—is still incredibly small. We aren't talking about thousands or even hundreds. We are talking about roughly 20 participants globally.
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That’s it.
Twenty people.
It’s a tiny group of pioneers, mostly individuals living with quadriplegia or ALS, who are essentially the "test pilots" for the future of human-computer interaction. While Elon Musk has tweeted about reaching "high-volume production" and aiming for over 1,000 implants by the end of this year, the actual verified clinical count is still sitting in the low double digits.
The Pioneers: Who Actually Has the Chip?
You’ve probably seen the videos of Noland Arbaugh. He was the first. In January 2024, Noland—who became paralyzed from the shoulders down after a diving accident—received the N1 implant. He calls it "Eve." Watching him play Mario Kart or Civilization VI using nothing but his mind was the "iPhone moment" for brain-computer interfaces (BCIs).
But Noland isn't alone anymore.
By late 2025, the PRIME Study (that's the clinical trial name) expanded. We now know of several others:
- Alex: A former automotive parts builder who lost the use of his limbs. He’s now using the Link to design 3D objects in CAD software. He even learned how to play Counter-Strike 2.
- Brad: The first participant with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) to receive the implant through the Barrow Neurological Institute.
- Mike: A former city survey technician who uses the tech to keep working from home despite his ALS.
- Recent Global Recruits: In late 2025, Neuralink went international. Two patients in Canada (at Toronto’s University Health Network) received implants, and trials have officially kicked off in the UK and the UAE.
It's a slow burn. Deliberately slow.
Why Aren't There More People?
Honestly, it’s about safety. And red tape. Mostly safety.
When the first threads in Noland’s brain started to retract (a bit of a "yikes" moment for the engineers), the team had to pause and pivot. They fixed it with a software update that made the remaining threads more sensitive, but it served as a massive reminder: this is brain surgery. You don't just "move fast and break things" when "things" are neurons.
The FDA isn't exactly known for being "chill" about drilling holes in people's heads. Neuralink is currently operating under an Investigational Device Exemption (IDE). This means they are only allowed to implant a very specific number of people to prove the thing won't cause infections or brain bleeds before they can even think about a commercial rollout.
Also, the surgery itself is a bottleneck. Right now, it requires the R1 Robot—that white, sleek, sewing-machine-looking thing—and a team of specialized surgeons. Musk’s big goal for 2026 is to automate this so much that it feels like "LASIK for the brain." But we aren't there yet. Not even close.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Numbers
There’s this weird gap between what’s happening in the lab and what people think is happening on the street.
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I’ve seen TikToks claiming "millions" are being chipped. Total nonsense. Even the 10,000-person "waitlist" you hear about? That’s just a registry of people interested in volunteering for trials. It’s not a list of people with appointments.
Another big misconception is that Neuralink is the only player. If you're asking how many people have neuralink because you're interested in the tech, you should know that their rival, Synchron, actually has a similar number of patients (around 10-15) and they don't even have to drill into the skull—they go through a vein in the neck.
The 2026 Roadmap: What Happens Next?
If you’re tracking this, 2026 is the year the "volume" dial supposedly gets turned up.
Musk is pushing for high-volume production of the N1 chips this year. They are also testing something called the "dual-implant" setup. Noland Arbaugh has been talking about getting a second chip—not in his brain, but in his spinal cord. The idea is to bridge the gap created by his injury. The brain chip "talks" to the spinal chip, and suddenly, he might be able to walk.
That’s the "holy grail."
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But let's be realists here. The leap from 20 people to 1,000 people in twelve months is a classic "Elon Timeline." It’s ambitious, bordering on impossible given the regulatory hurdles.
Actionable Insights for the Curious
If you’re someone looking into this for a loved one with paralysis, or just a tech nerd following the progress, here’s the actual state of play:
- Check the Patient Registry: If you’re in the US, Canada, or the UK, Neuralink is still actively looking for people with quadriplegia or ALS for the PRIME Study. You can sign up on their official site, but expect a long wait.
- Watch the "Blindsight" Approval: Beyond movement, Neuralink recently got "Breakthrough Device" status from the FDA for a chip that could restore vision. This could open up a whole new category of patients by the end of 2026.
- Follow the Peer Reviews: Don't just trust the Neuralink "Updates" page. Look for data coming out of the Barrow Neurological Institute or University of Miami. That’s where the real, unbiased medical data lives.
We are still in the "Mercury Program" era of brain chips. It’s a handful of brave people doing something incredibly dangerous so that, one day, it might be as routine as getting a filling at the dentist.
For now, the number is 20. But by this time next year? It might finally be in the hundreds.
Next Steps for You
If you want to track the exact enrollment numbers as they change, keep an eye on the ClinicalTrials.gov database under study ID NCT06429735. That is the official ledger for the PRIME Study, and it’s updated whenever new study sites are added or participant caps are raised.