Perhaps the best description of neurotechnologies is the one where it refers to specific tools that are used for the purpose of observing the functions of the brain as well as manipulating brain states. This could be as broad as deep brain stimulation, or the firing of individual neurons.

Neurotechnologies can be invasive or non invasive. For example, trans cranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) techniques utilize oscillating magnetic fields to induce currents in the brain without any actual invasion of the organ.

These technologies can be used for a variety of purposes that can be therapeutic or research based in nature. Since this is still an emerging field, there are a number of developments that are taking place in our understanding of the brain, as well as the techniques used to observe and manipulate it.

Neurotechnologies have also been subject to some controversy over their ethical aspects with some claiming that it amounts to deception and manipulation of those very elements that make us human. But this is unlikely to prevent further research into a very promising field.