Warning over electrical brain stimulation

BBC ^ | 23 August 2014 Last updated at 19:05 ET | Melissa Hogenboom

[BenLurkin]

Given the option, would you want to think faster and have sharper attention? Research suggests that electrical brain stimulation kits could have just those effects. But now some companies are selling such devices online, leading to calls to regulate the technology.

It may sound too good to be true but scientists say the technology is promising.

Transcranial direct current stimulation (TDCS), which passes small electrical currents directly on to the scalp, stimulates the nerve cells in the brain (neurons).

It's non-invasive, extremely mild and the US military even uses TDCS in an attempt to improve the performance of its drone pilots.

Continue reading the main story “ Start Quote You need to know how long to stimulate, at what time to stimulate and what intensity to use” End Quote Dr Roy Cohen Kadosh

University of Oxford

The idea is that it makes the neurons more likely to fire and preliminary research suggests electrical simulation can improve attention as well as have a positive impact on people with cognitive impairments and depression.

It has also been shown to increase performance in a maths task, an improvement which was still in place six months later.

The scientist behind this work is Dr Roy Cohen Kadosh from the University of Oxford. He uses TDCS to look at how cognitive functions improve.

"You need to know how long to stimulate, at what time to stimulate and what intensity to use” Dr Roy Cohen Kadosh, University of Oxford

[Larry Lucido]

It made me smart enough to teach Derek Jeter how to hit more home runs, and I’m learning Portuguese from a waitress. What could go wrong?

[B4Ranch]

She might steal your wallet when you fall asleep after a learning session.