Description
Transcranial direct current stimulation is a novel method of stimulating the brain, using small electric currents. It helps in the treatment of some diseases and has other applications.
Possible Benefits
- Stimulates higher cognitive functions
- Helps control pain
- Helps treat migraines
- It may help to control some of the symptoms of Parkinson's
- Improves mood
Required Equipment
Biomedical equipment for transcranial stimulation (only present in health institutions)
How to Do It
VERY IMPORTANT: DO NOT DO THIS YOURSELF AT HOME.
FIND A CERTIFIED TRAINED PRACTITIONER of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation.
This is what the procedure may look like. Through a helmet, small electrical currents are applied to the brain. It is applied in different areas depending on the need. It is a non-surgical method.
Why it works
- The brain works through electrical currents and biochemical changes. This type of stimulation makes changes in the electrical functioning of the neurons. Thus, different benefits are obtained.
- It can improve brain plasticity. That is the ability of the brain to change and adapt to new situations.
Time Commitment
5-30 minutes per session
Suggested Frequency
According to medical criteria. It's usually at least 10 sessions.
There are no standard criteria on frequency of sessions [5].
Time of Day
According to medical criteria.
Possible Side Effects
Tingling in the stimulated area.
A low percentage of people have headaches or nausea.
Notes
- Being a new and investigative technique, it is usually used in hospitals or health institutions.
- It appears that healthy people may improve their cognitive ability through this stimulation.
- Check with your doctor to see if you can use this technique.
- DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME
Supporting Studies and Articles
Expand Collapse- Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14677402
- Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS): A Beginner's Guide for Design and Implementation. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5702643/
- A systematic review of the clinical efficacy of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in psychiatric disorders. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26765514
- Physiology of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29877965
- Daily transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) leads to greater increases in cortical excitability than second daily transcranial direct current stimulation. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22037139
