(But don't try this at home)
9-Volt Battery Wikimedia Commons
Neuroscientists at the University of New Mexico asked volunteers to play a video game called “DARWARS Ambush!”, developed to help train American military personnel. Half of the players received 2 milliamps of electricity to the scalp, using a device powered by a simple 9-volt battery, and they played twice as well as those receiving a much tinier jolt. The DARPA-funded study suggests direct current applied to the brain could improve learning.
This type of brain stimulation, called transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), is controversial but could show promise for treatment of various neurological disorders and cognitive impairments. Click through to Nature News for a thorough overview.
It’s different from transcranial magnetic stimulation, in which a magnetic coil running at high voltage is positioned close to the head. The magnets stimulate electrical responses in the brain. Transcranial direct current stimulation is just what it sounds, applying the current directly to the brain.
We’ve been hearing quite a lot about these methods lately, and the scientific literature indicates the fields — tDCS in particular — are experiencing a revival, Nature News points out. Scientists hope the methods could be used to treat depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, stroke and autism, as well as to improve learning by increasing the brain’s plasticity.
Researchers are beginning to understand how an external electrical current affects brain function, including by inducing changes to the flow of electricity across neurons and increasing the expression of certain synapse proteins.
Apparently, it takes very little electricity to do all this. But please, don’t start hooking up 9-volt batteries to your brain — leave that to the scientific studies.
that is strange how a battery can increase ur skill I thought it would mess up ur brain cause the acid and the metal but that is cool I wonder do they make one to make people smarter with grades?
ReplyDeleteI think the is weird and I've never thought of this. I didn't think using a battery could improve your skill. It's so weied how after they did that they played two times better. I think alot of gamers are going to try to see if this works and then gaming won't be the same anymore.
ReplyDeleteSo does that mean your brain is stimulated if you are shocked by something on accident? I wonder if too much of the 9 volt would fry the brain. I wouldn't perform this on myself even if scientists said it were 100% safe because its something that is not necessary.
ReplyDeleteHey maybe now I won't get so mad at call of duty. But in other words its a really cool find and I'm actually happy it might be able to treat depression and other mental diseases. Now I find it a little weird that someone was like "wait hey hold on...video games hmm...let's put a battery in the mix and just see what happens". I wanna meet that scientist
ReplyDeleteI think this is really cool, but i would not try this at home. I would be scared that I would fry my brain. I beleive many gamers will try this if it is proofen true. Some may try it just to help them get smarter. I wonder if your put electricty in your head, if a magnet will then stick to your head ?
ReplyDeleteThis is an interesting topic. I'm wondering if someone kept doing this often will it cause damage to the brain? I'm also wondering if applying more electrical currents to the brain will improve results. I know there is a limit on electrical currents someone can take to the brain, so I'm wondering how that plays out. I'm also wondering when these electrical currents are sent to the brain and these improvements take place, how long do these last?
ReplyDeletei think this is pretty cool because your technically being shocked by a battery and its increasing your learning abilities. i think the people that let the scientist test this theory on them are pretty brave because if they were to shock them a little to long then they could electrocute them. i don't think this is a good idea also because couldn't this fry your brain? If they are doing this, does the reaction last long? a few days? hours?
ReplyDeleteThis is very interesting . as a gamer i find this intriguing . but wouldnt this kill u in the process even though scientists say it is safe I wouldnt try this . but maybe i coulsd get more kills on call of duty ghost.
ReplyDeleteI think this is werid but also very interesting because mostly boys or young men would love this idea. But honestly i think this could be dangerous and would hurt yout brain in the long run. Also there are some gamers that would take a chance and have 9 volt battery zapping to your bairn Just depends if you take play video games is that serious.
ReplyDeleteAs a gamer i think this is a very cool idea but at the same time this is questionable. The idea of of hooking a battery to my brain to better my gaming skills would be cool but, i would not do it because it might affect the brain in other ways.
ReplyDeleteI think this a bad idea cause it may mess with the persons brain and damage it baddly. I dont find it very safe. But it is very interesting but i dont really play games but still very interesting to think doing that would help improve your skills.
ReplyDeleteI think this is just a bad idea. Your basically shocking your brain. What if someone does it wrong or something. I think it's to risky to mess with your brain like that. It just doesn't make all that sense because video games are not worth you getting hurt.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Serena this is a horrible idea.Like she said this is only shocking your brain. Which I think it can kill some Brian cells. Which could also cause dangerous damage to your brain. It only improve your viedo skill.
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