From a list of abstracts posted by the NYC Neuromodulation Conference. As I understand it, researchers were encouraged to submit abstracts which would then be considered for ‘fast-track oral presentation’ I quote an excerpt from a paper by Anna Wexler (@anna_wexler) entitled: Understanding the Practices of the Do-it-Yourself Brain Stimulation Community: Implications for Regulatory Proposals and Ethical Discussions. Check out the link below to read the entire list.
I argue that to better contend with the growing ethical and safety concerns surrounding DIY tDCS, we need to understand the practices of the community. This study presents the results of a preliminary inquiry into the DIY tDCS community, with a focus on when and how DIYers draw upon scientific literature and established scientific standards. Analyses are based on open-ended, in-depth interviews with DIYers (as some members call themselves), extensive observations of the main online forum where members communicate, and analyses of videos, websites, and blogs related to DIY tDCS. I show that when making or acquiring a device, DIYers produce, document, and share their own body of knowledge. In contrast, when applying tDCS, DIYers draw heavily on scientific knowledge; where scientific literature is lacking, DIYers experiment and extrapolate. When testing the efficacy of tDCS, DIYers using tDCS for therapy largely rely on subjective feelings, whereas those interested in cognitive enhancement often attempt to mimic the quantification used in scientific studies. I conclude by discussing why it is crucial for neuroscientists to understand how their unintended “second audience” utilizes their research.