Electric shocks to the brain are already being used to treat depression and Parkinson’s disease. The next step is to improve memory, attention and reaction speed.
Did you know that all processes in our brain are accompanied by electrical activity? Whether we are solving differential equations or remembering whether the iron was turned off in the morning, neurons translate everything into the language of volts and amperes. Now, if something goes wrong — for example, we constantly forget to turn off the iron — there is a chance to correct the situation with the same electricity.
Such stimulation can be used to treat depression, schizophrenia, Parkinson’s disease and bipolar disorder. Unlike electroshock therapy, it does not require anesthesia and special muscle relaxants to relieve muscle tension. In medicine, the procedure is even referred to the field of physiotherapy — this means that the load exerted on the body by such stimulation is minimal.
The benefits of TS have been shown not only in the field of treating various disorders, but also in the field of improving cognitive abilities. Thus, in the 2000s, the US Department of Defense successfully used weak current exposure to train soldiers who were sent to Iraq. In a special video game simulator, recruits scored twice as many points as their counterparts from the control group.
“The effect of electric stimulation is comparable to that of a cup of coffee, with the only difference being that coffee affects the entire brain.”
“The effect of TS is comparable to the effect of a cup of coffee, with the only difference being that coffee affects the entire brain (and not only the brain), while stimulation affects locally, on individual brain structures, the activity of which needs to be strengthened to perform certain tasks,” – says Ralph Hoffman, professor of psychiatry at Yale University (USA).
Following the scientists, entrepreneurs became interested in new technology. Fortunately, the simplest stimulator can be assembled with basic engineering skills. In 2013, the device appeared on the US market based on tDSC technology (transcranial direct current stimulation). It costs about $100 and looks like a pocket voice recorder. Only instead of headphones, electrodes are connected to it, and on the case, instead of recording buttons, there are buttons for controlling the electrical stimulation session.
The Foc.us stimulator acts on the prefrontal cortex. The frontal lobes located in it are responsible, among other things, for assessing the situation and the speed of decision-making. Weak external impulses of direct current cause some acceleration of motor reactions, improve memory and increase concentration. At least that’s what the developers promise.
“The developers of the device avoid associations with medicine and position their device as an accessory for memory training”
Scientists are more skeptical. Neurologist Steven Novella of Yale University warns that the technology is not yet fully understood. It is still unclear the long-term consequences of such exposure, as well as how often you can resort to it in everyday life. Failures in the operation of the device can cause convulsions, mood swings, headaches. It should be used only in laboratory conditions and in compliance with safety measures.
While research continues, the problem of controlling the use of new technology remains. Foc.us developers avoid associations with medicine and position the device as an accessory for memory training. Meanwhile, they are gaining followers, including in Russia, where a neurostimulator is already being prepared for release. . Will a stimulation session become as routine as morning exercises? In any case, do not forget about the proven ways to «pump» the brain — coffee, an energetic jog and a close deadline.