Who wants to buy a new brain? Maybe you can.

Pssst! Hey! You there: You wanna buy a brain?

Yes, it’s true. You can actually buy a brain. Just ask the folks at The American Brain Foundation (formerly known as The American Academy of Neurology Foundation).

Remember the Scarecrow (played by actor Ray Bolger) in The Wizard of Oz film (1939), based on the 1900 Wonderful Wizard of Oz children’s novel by L. Frank Baum?

Perhaps we can all quote the Scarecrow’s musical and mindful miseries, as he crooned and crusaded for a brain. (Of course, genuine Wizard of Oz book and movie fans, who use their heads, know that the Scarecrow was probably the smartest character in the whole story.) Still, the Scarecrow’s catchy lyrics did set viewers to thinking:

“And my head I'd be scratchin'
While my thoughts were busy hatchin'
If I only had a brain.”

Perhaps the great and mighty and mysterious Wizard of Oz could not grant the Scarecrow’s wish and give him a brand-new brain. But today, it seems anyone can buy a brain.

The American Brain Foundation offers brains for sale.

You can buy a brain for just $5.00. Nope, this is not the stuff of late-night scary movies. And no one gets hurt. It’s even legal.

For a sawbuck, anyone can purchase a virtual brain to support neurological research. Colorful virtual brains may be purchased online, using major credit cards.

Brains may be named to honor family members or friends. Once brains are bought and labeled, they appear on The Virtual Brain Wall. The Brain Wall is an interactive screen, where website viewers may scroll and see the floated donated brains. Hovering type boxes reveal donor messages, such as honorees’ names. A search bar enables viewers to locate particular personalized brains as well.

Of course, anonymous brains may be purchased as well, and donors can purchase multiple brains.

Proceeds from these cerebral sales may be expected to fund the scientific search for prevention, treatment and cures of such neurological conditions as Alzheimer's Disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder (ADhD), Autism, Back Pain, Brain and Spinal Tumors, Cerebral Palsy, Dementia, Dystonias, Epilepsy, Headaches, Migraines, Multiple Sclerosis, Myasthenia Gravis, Parkinson's Disease, Restless Legs Syndrome, Shingles, Sleep Apnea, Stroke and Traumatic Brain Injury.

Hey, that’s using their heads.

Think it over. A brain for five bucks – and a bouncing on-screen brain to honor someone special? A sawbuck for some grey matter to help medical research? Why not?

Image/s:

Scarecrow 

The Wizard of Oz

promo photo - fair use

Who wants to buy a new brain? Maybe you can.

Created by this user,

 including public domain artwork

Feel free to follow on Google Plus and Twitter.