Thursday, February 13, 2014

“Cosmetic” Neurology?

Should we use a device to become smarter, more attentive versions of ourselves?

"Cognitive-enhancement method: transcranial direct-current stimulation (tDCS). With this technique, electrodes applied to the scalp deliver minuscule amperages of current to the brain. This trickle of electricity seems to cause incremental adjustments in the electrical potentials of membranes in the neurons closest to the electrodes, increasing or decreasing their likelihood of firing. And that, in turn, induces measurable changes in memory, language, mood, motor function, attention and other cognitive domains."

Read more: http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/should-we-use-devices-to-make-us-smarter/

Scientific advancement is definitely a great thing. But I always wonder, how far should we go....?

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