The idea of zapping your brain may seem unhealthy at best. If you’ve seen the film One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, you may even wince. But when very small currents are applied to very small areas of the brain, it can have surprisingly attractive results. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a form of neurostimulation which applies a constant, low current to very specific party of the brain via electrodes on the scalp. When targeted to the right area, the tDCS current can create changes in how a person’s brain is functioning.

The Brain Stimulator is the one of the industry’s leader for tDCS. Whilst yet to receive FDA approval, research conducted over the past ten years suggests it can help relieve chronic pain and symptoms of fibromyalgia, Parkinson’s and schizophrenia. The Laboratory of Neuromodulation and Centre for Clinical Research Learning are running a number of projects researching the effectiveness of tCDS as therapy for pain, epilepsy and motor function in stroke patients.

What is perhaps even more exciting is what tDCS may be able to do for your mental performance. Some studies have shown it can double the speed of learning. The implications for ‘hacking’ behavioural skill and or cognitive performance are huge. Soon we may be able to zap our brains with well placed electrical currents into rapid learning states and enhanced performance states. I’m interested to see where this field takes us.

The Brain Stimulator was mapped by Phil Dobson in his AtlasChart Top 5 brain hacks – a trip through his favourite neuroscience projects from brain-zapping to nootropics.

As the founder of BrainWorkshops, Phil turns insights from neuroscience, cognitive and behavioural psychology, neurolinguistic programming and hypnotherapy into brain-based applicable skills and techniques for the workplace.