Will the brain 'hack' device appear?

Just wear a device to the head so that it transmits directed currents into the brain for about 15 minutes, and so we can "recharge" more energy, increase concentration or become calm. than. Technology that seems to exist only in this fictional film is being turned into reality by scientists.

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Brain stimulation is a completely real concept, but the technology to do this has not yet been verified by the scientific community. For decades, with so many experiments, Silicon Valley experts are now hoping they can put the technology into a trendy wearable device to hit the market. But is it possible to bring these devices from the lab to supermarket shelves?

The most recent company intending to create such a product is Thync , a start-up founded by businessman Isy Goldwasser and neurologist Jamie Tyler. Thync has been secretly researching this brain stimulator for the past three years. It is like a headset with three functions: energizing the brain, helping users to relax and increase concentration. "Some people will find it like a morning coffee, others feel like having a nap," Goldwasser said.

Scientists have created brain stimulation devices

One of Thync's fundamental technologies is "Skull Direct Current Stimulation" (or TDCS) - using weak currents to change the sensitivity of neurons in the brain. Neurons are cells that make up the brain, working by exchanging electromagnetic signals with each other, thereby creating chemicals that affect people's thoughts or moods. Therefore, when targeting the right target, the line of TDCS can make changes in the way the brain works.

With the ability to replace all current treatments such as yoga or mental illness, the brain stimulant market is said to have a lot of potential. The US military has even experimented with this device in order to improve the pilot's ability.

"Customers who buy this device are people who have a busy life and really need other tools to replace chemicals, drugs or alcohol," - Goldwasser said. "They want another way to improve." his mental state ".

The device uses weak currents to change the sensitivity of neurons in the brain

However, even though a lot of research has been conducted, it is still not clear whether the technology is working."I think most people agree that it's still not clear whether it's effective for treatment or awareness," said Charan Ranganath, a professor at the University of California's Center for Neurology. Studies on the effectiveness of Ddc are currently considered new at the beginning stage, and there are still doubts in the scientific community about the results obtained.

"Some published studies have only a small number of samples ., and those researchers often use strange, inexplicable measurements" - Professor Ranganath. Besides, there are doubts that only positive results are published, while negative results are ignored.

The new device will create a neurological revolution

In addition, even though DDCS is really effective, it is difficult to obtain the same results in different individuals, even in studies conducted in laboratories, where click devices are Brain likes are installed and controlled by experts. In order to make DDCS active, electrical impulses will have to hit certain areas in the brain, which are located in different positions depending on the person. And if the effect is only a little off, the results will be completely different.

Furthermore, let's assume that the electrical impulses can hit 100%, we still can't be sure that these signals will affect each person in a fixed way. Let's take a simple example: some people's brains can work very well after a morning cup of coffee, but others have a completely opposite reaction to caffeine."The idea of ​​having the same way of being effective at everyone is probably too optimistic," said Professor Ranganath.

Thync is conducting his research very carefully

To relieve these worries, Thync is conducting its research very carefully and meticulously. In addition to DCS, they also use a new technology that appears as "transcranial ultrasound pulse ", along with other ways to improve their products. Thync said they completed testing the device on more than 2,000 volunteers. And to get permission from the FDA (US Food and Drug Administration), Thync will need to conduct clinical trials on a larger scale. The company is planning to launch its first product in 2015.

It is still too early to know what the effect of brain stimulation is, but supporters of this technology think that we are only at the beginning of a "neurological revolution". . Thync's Tyler neurologist thinks these products will quickly become popular: "It is impossible."