My brain on electricity: A 130 day tDCS experiment

Reddit user ADifferentDrum posted the results of his informal long term dual n back/tDCS training research project. Links below to full article.

In an informal experiment aimed at improving memory and attention, I stimulated various regions of my brain using tDCS therapy for 130 sessions over 135 days while simultaneously completing the working memory task dual n back. Each session lasted about 30 minutes. I found that my scores significantly improved both during “live” tDCS treatment and also during intermittent “off” stimulation memory task sessions. I had previously done the dual n back task thousands of trials over the course of two years so the improvement in performance cannot be attributed to practice effects alone. Just as some of the literature suggests, I found that tDCS can improve a very specific skill (in this case “brain game” performance), but the jury is still out as to what benefits, if any does tDCS have in improving other skills outside of training…

130 day stimulation schedule

EEG Position Description Duration
P4 Right Parietal 15 days
P3 Left Parietal 15 days
F3 Left Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex 30 days
FP2 Right Frontal Pole 15 days
FP1 Left Frontal Pole 15 days
F3/FP1 (revisiting regions) Left DLPFC/Left Poles 10 days
T4 Right Temporal Lobe 15 days
T3 Left Temporal Lobe 15 days

via My brain on electricity: A 130 day tDCS experiment.

Collected knowledge from a new tDCS convert : tDCS

Well put together summary post from ‘MagicC’ on Reddit includes a few links I hadn’t seen.

I’ve been using the depression montage, and I’m pleased to report that it’s been very effective. I feel much less stressed out and anxious, and I have a calm clarity that I find incredibly heartening. It feels like I have greater freedom of action i.e. I think of more possibilities, instead of getting bogged down in dead ends. I’m experiencing a quieting of my self-destructive inner dialogue, which is improving my mood dramatically. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but so far, I’m very happy with my purchase.

via Collected knowledge from a new tDCS convert : tDCS.