Surprising scientific breakthrough demonstrates that applying an electrical current to the brain improves mental performance.
At first glance it seems straight out of a science fiction movie from the 90s but it's what was demonstrated by an experiment conducted by the U.S. Army, the test was quite simple and the results surprising, an efficiency improvement of 50% over the rest.
They placed electrodes on the right frontal lobe of some volunteers attached to a moistened sponge that was in turn connected to a simple 9-volt battery, in such a way that they only received a slight current of about 2 milliamps and a slight tingling sensation.
These volunteers were in turn participating in a video game, one that is used to train troops heading into combat in Iraq and that basically consists of a virtual landscape in which they must react quickly, deactivate explosive devices, etc.
Well, they discovered that the results of those who received the electrical current were twice as efficient as those who did not receive it, they learned much faster and what is curious is that when asked about the reason for their efficiency they did not seem aware of any difference, they simply did not perceive changes, they assimilated them naturally, although without concentrating on the video game the tingling sensation would have been noticeable.
Attention: these will soon flood the market
These advances will not go to waste, it is very likely that they will result in common use devices, initially in medicine, neurology; however it is not difficult to foresee a commercial application, especially given the scientific backing demonstrated in comparison, for example, with miracle bracelets which are nothing more than pure marketing products.
There is talk of developing microchips to implant in the appropriate brain areas for the desired effect. This procedure could be used for people with depression for example, and in principle it seems less harmful than the usual treatment. I can already imagine psychiatrists taking bioelectronics courses by mail.
The effect is not only used
to activate various areas of the brain, it also uses them to deactivate others, something like carrying a switch at hand to change nerve synapses.
As you know, this type of treatment is not new and in the 19th century patients with mental problems began to be treated with electrical currents; however these were discharges of enormous power. The difference is that now with the technology we have, we can achieve a concrete effect with a power of 2 milliamps and a 9-volt battery depending on the area and the pathology to be treated.
Scientific explanation
Since this is relatively new, there are no completely proven foundations for why it works so noticeably, but it is observed that the current increases the expression of proteins called NMDA receptors in the synapses, the connections between neurons.
What seems to happen is that brain tissue becomes more malleable and prone to the induction of new synaptic connections, making it possible to better assimilate new stimuli, and in this way new tasks can be learned more easily.
The ethical problems
This breakthrough has its drawbacks and perhaps the main one is its ease of use or manufacture which combined with the lack of studies on long-term effects can turn it into a dangerous matter.
We could see it in the future as a kind of brain doping, a student preparing for an exam could use it to perform better, and we already know that some people don't need many excuses to try anything.
Some companies could see a very interesting commercial angle. This way it could become popular without proper control measures. It's too tempting a prize not to be put up for sale. You can already imagine the hair bands, hairclips, etc.
And well, to finish I will tell you that if any of you see your boss approaching with a strange little smile and with a couple of cables sparking, do not be alarmed, he is just trying to improve his performance for the benefit of the company.