Sending electrical pulses into your brain? Sounds like something out of a dystopian movie, right? Well… maybe not!. Neurostimulation, a method of using weak electric signals to amplify your brain, is real now, and it could help you in more ways than you may think.

What is Neurostimulation?

Neurostimulation is a method of treating neurological symptoms and diseases (Link). It involves sending gentle electrical impulses that can manage symptoms, such as pain, or activating certain areas of the brain.  This works by weakly influencing signals within the brain, which can lead to the activation, or prevent activation of, nerves, inhibiting certain pathways while stimulating others (Link).

It is commonly used in the medical field for treating symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease, Epilepsy, OCD, and Depression, however, its applications are far wider than these conditions. Neurostimulation is also often used to treat neuropathic pain, where nerve damage may lead to a sense of pain without injury or even for pain following back surgery. Neurostimulation isn’t just for treatment though, it can also be used in enhancement—for example, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is shown to have benefits in both motor learning and performance, potentially enhancing performance in sports and physical activity (Link).

Clinical Neurostimulation: From Parkinsons to Pain Management

Exploring Different Types of Electrical Neurostimulation

Neurostimulation through electricity is extremely prevalent in clinical treatment. Its use in the medical field can even be seen for thousands of years, with Ancient Egyptian civilizations often using electrical eels as medical treatment for pain and headaches (Link). Electrical neurostimulation can be used to treat patient symptoms or diseases and is commonly used in conjunction with drugs when treating patients with chronic pain or neurodegenerative disease.

Deep Brain Stimulation

Deep-Brain Stimulation is a key example of neurostimulation devices used in clinical settings. It involves a surgery to insert electrodes deep into various parts of the brain, where the signals can have a more effective impact, therefore, enabling the treatment to effectively reduce symptoms. Commonly used in treating neurological motor issues, Deep Brain Stimulation is effective at treating the tremor associated with Parkinson’s Disease. Furthermore, it is also being studied as a potential treatment for Major Depressive Disorder, addiction, and even obesity (Link). The treatment has a wide variety of applications, however, the primary concern is with the surgery that precedes it, as despite its benefits, it is often potentially dangerous to implement, and therefore, not worth the risk. 

Vagus Nerve Stimulation

Vagus Nerve Stimulation is another form of neurostimulation; it primarily involves sending electrical signals to the brainstem through the vagus nerve in the neck (Link). The vagus nerve is the 10th cranial nerve, connected primarily to your torso and head, and therefore is typically used to treat diseases originating in the brain. For example, Vagus Nerve Stimulation is often used to treat epilepsy, depression, and stroke rehabilitation. It is one of the first medical devices approved by the FDA for use in treating epilepsy that fails to respond to drug-treatment (Link), and furthermore, was also recently approved in treating chronic and recurring depression for patients above 18 years old (Link). Finally, the FDA approved its use in supporting patients who lose moderate to severe limb function due to a stroke, as it can greatly bolster their recovery process (Link). There are a lot of consumer options for Vagus Nerve Stimulation as well, such as the Nurosym, which is a clinically-validated VNS device that can help reduce stress and improve sleep-quality.

Spinal Cord Stimulation

Neuropathic pain can be treated using a spinal cord stimulator, a device made of thin wires and a battery pack. The battery pack is placed below the spine and the electrodes are placed between the spinal cord and vertebrae. This method is especially useful in addressing back pain, heart pain, spinal cord injuries, or nerve-related pain. There are three main types of spinal cord stimulators, conventional, rechargeable, and radiofrequency (Link). Conventional spinal cord stimulators require another surgery to replace the battery once it runs out, therefore it is ideal for patients who need lower electrical output. On the other hand, rechargeable ones are typically used for patients who may need a higher energy output. Radiofrequency stimulators have a battery outside the body, however they are rarely used today.

Peripheral Nerve Stimulation

Another method of treating neuropathic pain is through Peripheral Nerve Stimulation (PNS). This treatment is especially useful for localized nerve pain caused by amputation, trauma, or even diabetes (Link). It involves placing a small electrode in the shape of a wire next to a peripheral nerve, which then sends rapid pulses to nullify the pain signals. This occurs because the pulses are able to counteract the pain signals being sent through the nervous system. Patients can typically control the level of these signals through an app on their phone, providing them with full control over the treatment intensity.

Magnetic Neurostimulation: TMS and Beyond

On the other hand, neuromodulation can also be done through magnetized or other forms of pulses. This method of treatment is often less invasive, however, it can still be used to provide the same benefits that are gained through the electrical method of treatment. 

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

A key example of a magnetic form of neurostimulation is Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). This procedure is primarily used in treating Major Depressive Disorder, OCD, or even to reduce smoking (Link). It does so by providing magnetic “pulses,” which stimulate nerve cells, especially those involved in mood control. There are two main forms: Repetitive TMS (rTMS0) and deep TMS. These two forms primarily differ in the type of coil used, with deep TMS having a wider and deeper spread of its impact (Link). In fact, deep TMS Coils are approved by the FDA for treating OCD and to help prevent smoking.

Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy

Another form of magnetic neurostimulation is Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy (PEMF). This treatment includes lower levels of magnetic stimulation. The pulses are created through either antennas or solenoids, depending on the desired intensity and frequency, which vary based on the treatment. PEMF is primarily used in treating musculoskeletal pathologies, like arthritis or chronic pain (Link). The devices are applied to the region that is struggling with pain.

Emerging Technologies in Neurostimulation

There are countless other forms of neurostimulation used in the medical field. These methods vary, including ultrasound, photobiomodulation (light treatment), and many other forms of therapy.

Transcranial-Focused Ultrasound

For example, an emerging treatment is transcranial-Focused Ultrasound (tFUS). This non-invasive treatment sends low-intensity ultrasound into the deep regions of the brains, where it can assist with both excitatory and inhibitory neural regulation (Link). According to a study published in Blood, it also holds promise for treatment of neurodegenerative disease, and could be a potential option for helping in clinical settings, as well as personal. The key benefit of tFUS is its ability to target a specific region deep within the brain (Link). Previous treatment, such as Deep-Brain Stimulation, requires invasive surgeries to treat this aspect, however, tFUS is non-invasive and hence this emerging technology may prove beneficial in the medical field. Furthermore, it's been seen to be effective in addressing addiction, as it can alter nervous system activity, decreasing desire for narcotics.

Unlocking Everyday Potential: Neurostimulation for Cognitive Enhancement and Well-Being

Neurostimulation doesn’t only have a place in clinical treatment. It is also seen in consumer products, which can help boost focus, reduce distractions, or even enhance learning, thus enabling you to effectively use your potential. In Silicon Valley, bleeding-edge technology surrounds us, including developments in neurostimulation. As the field grows, we see it involved in more and more people’s lives. 

Neurofeedback: Optimizing Brain Function for Peak Performance

Quantifying brain signals is not just for medical reasons! Neurofeedback, for example, is a form of neurotherapy that could be used to boost motivation, improve quality of life, and train your brain. It involves monitoring your brainwave activity and providing a response, enabling you to regulate your brainwave activity. It has been approved as a level 1 treatment for ADHD by the American Academy of Pediatrics (Link).

Experience Neurofield Neuromodulation

At Bay Area Peak Performance we use Quantitative EEG (QEEG) to assess your brain and discover areas of dysregulation that may be contributing to your symptoms. We then use Neurofield neuromodulation equipment to gently stimulate your brain to guide it out of these conditioned patterns, restoring flexibility in your nervous system and helping to reduce or overcome your symptoms. Neurofield uses a unique combination of pulsed electro-magnetic field (PEMF), transcranial electric (tACS/tDCS/tRNS/tAPNS), transcranial photobiomodulation (tPBM) and transcranial vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS).

With a wide variety of applications, neurostimulation may have a place in your life. So why hesitate? Book a free consultation today and see how we can help you!