Move over coffee – At-home brain zapping is the new stimulator
Brain stimulation is being touted as the latest trend to improve concentration and alleviate “brain fog”, potentially replacing coffee as a go-to solution.
The process involves sending small electrical impulses to specific parts of the brain to alter its activity. There are several forms of brain stimulation, some of which have been established for years.
For example, transcranial magnetic stimulation is used in healthcare settings to treat depression, while deep brain stimulation involves the surgical implantation of electrodes to alleviate Parkinson’s disease symptoms.
These techniques typically involve attaching electrodes to specific parts of the head, which then deliver electrical impulses through the skull to the brain.
Brain zapping at home?
Brain stimulation is usually carried out in medical settings, such as hospitals or clinics.
However, a growing number of individuals are opting to use at-home brain stimulation devices, claiming that they improve their mental state, provide an advantage in areas like exams or work projects, and even promote deeper meditative states and clarity of thought.
These devices can be purchased online for a cost ranging from $40 to $500, and are typically compact in size, similar to a TV remote control or a smartphone.
Additional supplies, like batteries, head caps, straps, and saline solution, may need to be purchased separately to allow for the delivery of weak electrical pulses to the brain.
Is brain zapping safe?
Robert Reinhart, a neuroscientist at Boston University, warns about the potential dangers of using at-home brain stimulation devices, as not enough is known about their long-term safety.
According to him, “We’re talking about injecting electricity into someone’s brain. Someone could get hurt. We need to better understand what these tools can do, including any unintended consequences they can have.”
Despite these concerns, at-home brain stimulation devices have been popular since the early 2010s, despite objections from medical professionals and scientists.
The science behind why electrical stimulation of the brain appears to enhance memory and cognitive abilities is still in its early stages of development.
Known side effects of these devices include itching, tingling, and mild burns.
However, according to Dr. Michael Fox, an associate professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School, proponents argue that these side effects are minor and people should have the right to use them at their own risk.