 After the episode 's broadcast , Popular Mechanics published an article analyzing the science depicted . They concluded that the Brain – computer interface ( BCI ) chips , like the ones used in the episode to tie the victims ' brains to the computer used by Dr. <unk> Nayak , have also been used on real @-@ life human subjects , though not in relation to controlling sleep cycles . However , the article continued that it is " not currently possible " for BCI chips to " facilitate direct transfer of understandable information from one person 's brain to another " , nor is it possible for the chips to " directly read another person 's thoughts or dreams " and steal them . In addition , Popular Mechanics noted that Walter 's theory of the victims ' deaths being caused by exhaustion is " pure bunk " , as there are many long @-@ term experiments that have safely tested humans ' deprivation of REM sleep . According to one scientist interviewed , though chips shown in " Dream Logic " cause hallucinations , paranoid thoughts , and a disconnect from reality , these traits are " not even remotely possible " outside of fiction . 
