Friday, December 14, 2012

How to Increase IQ with tDCS

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (often abbreviated to tDCS) is a technique which was originally designed as a treatment to help rehabilitate patients who had suffereed a severe brain injury or stroke.

Subsequent research showed that when the tehcnique was applied to healthy participants it could be used to enhance a variety of mental functions. 

The technique works by positioning two electrodes on the scalp, and then passing a low current between them. This current stimulates activity within the brain region surrounded by the electrodes. 

This stimulation changes brain function is either by affecting the neuron’s resting membrane potential and changing the rate of spontaneous cell firing. Due to the brains natural neurplasticity these changes can be made lasting providing there is a sufficient duration and strength of current.

Depending on the region of the brain stimulated researchers have shown tDCS can improve problem solving, mathematical ability, linguistics, attention/focus or memory.

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