← Habit Directory

Transcranial direct current stimulation

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

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