5 ms·

Why do we have any reason to believe that there's any electrical field inside the brain at all? The skin is reasonably conductive, bone is not. Do we have any p

by guyzero 11y ago

Why do we have any reason to believe that there's any electrical field inside the brain at all? The skin is reasonably conductive, bone is not. Do we have any proof that the current doesn't just run along the skin taking the path of least resistance? The is the one part of transcranial electrical stimulation that I've never understood - there doesn't seem to be any proof it does what people say it does.

lawpoop 11y ago
I don't know for certain, but this is basically very low voltage shock therapy, and we know that has effects on the brain, and is efficacious in treating depression.
- guyzero 11y ago
  How do we know it's not a placebo effect?
  - lawpoop 11y ago
    As far as the depression, it's usually a last resort treatment for people who literally can't get out of bed. But, you do make a point.
maxxxxx 11y ago
There is deep brain stimulation that plants electrodes deep into the brain to create a field there. The results are pretty reproducible: Turn on stimulation, Parkinson patient can walk, turn it off, he can't walk. That at least is evidence that the brain responds to electrical fields.
- guyzero 11y ago
  Sure, that makes sense bu tit's not the same as simulation applied to the skin.