422 replies to this topic

[renfr]

That's a great report. You should try this several days and tell us if tolerance builds up or if the feeling stays constant.
I have some questions though :
Did you retain more things or you were just more focused on the task?
When did you experience emotional numbness, during treatment or without it?
Was that already occuring before you even tried the device?
Now I really want this device, I just wish companies release an OTC product for everyone.

Edited by renfr, 19 January 2013 - 10:29 AM.

[lester1]

The numbness feeling I felt right away. It made me feel kinda "automatic" Like someone else was controlling me.

Its been a week since I did the tdcs I will say the results are profound. I still feel more focused, even without caffine. I took caffine one day it made me feel really weird so i stopped taking any caffine. My negative thoughts are completely gone. In fact i cannot even think about something negative. Nothing bothers me. My feelings feel "turned off"

I will report some dizziness at times, and my head still feels heavier. My forehead feels kinda numb. Its been hard to go to sleep without sleep meds. I have been dreaminng every day really wild and fun stuff. I usually never dream either before tdcs.

Again, I wouldnt try what I did. I am no expert, or scientist. I am not doing tdcs again until my negative thoughts and fears come back. If ever..

[Absent]

The numbness feeling I felt right away. It made me feel kinda "automatic" Like someone else was controlling me.

Its been a week since I did the tdcs I will say the results are profound. I still feel more focused, even without caffine. I took caffine one day it made me feel really weird so i stopped taking any caffine. My negative thoughts are completely gone. In fact i cannot even think about something negative. Nothing bothers me. My feelings feel "turned off"

I will report some dizziness at times, and my head still feels heavier. My forehead feels kinda numb. Its been hard to go to sleep without sleep meds. I have been dreaminng every day really wild and fun stuff. I usually never dream either before tdcs.

Again, I wouldnt try what I did. I am no expert, or scientist. I am not doing tdcs again until my negative thoughts and fears come back. If ever..

I am highly intrigued .. though reading your first experience report 1 page back... I'm confused... Did you just basically hook the 9v battery directly up to your head, with no resistors?

I'm also curious as to the specific positioning of the sponges on your head.

Also if anyone is interested, here is a neat circuitry diagram of a basic TDCS device that can be set between .5/1/1.5/2mA

http://www.diytdcs.c...s-schematic.jpg - May have already been posted in the thread

[Reformed-Redan]

Hello Everyone,

I am adding my experience with tdcs to this forum for your thoughts and opinions. I also want to add my experience for research purposes since i know people in the medical and research field read these forums.

The last 4 days I have been testing my own tdcs therapy. I have zero medical experience. I am a businessman. For years I have suffered from depression and have short term memory problems. I am sick of living with these issues and am desperate to try something new that might help me. Drugs do not help and make me feel even worse!

I think I have found my cure. Weather its short term or long term I dont know yet. I wanted to share my experiences with you all. I would advise not to try what i did. Some might say i over did the electricity current level but at this point in my life i dont care. The results i have experienced were worth it.


I attached the anode+ wire with a wet sponge to my left prefrontal cortex, and the cathode - wire with a sponge 3 inches above my right eye.

I used a 9 volt 1.5a AC adapter that i plugged into a surge protector. I didnt feel any pain or flashes, just some slight itching, tingling and some redness at the site where the wet sponges were put. I got between 7-8 hours of sleep a night during the days of testing. I normally NEVER dream.


Here are my results:

DAY 1 Sunday
Approximately 6 minutes kept on skull to try out - Right after I Felt like I had 2 cups of coffee. I was wide awake afterwards, my brain felt like i was absorbing things like i never have, completely focused and didnt have ANY negative thoughts no matter how hard i tried to think negatively. I had a crazy intense dream that night.

DAY 2 Monday
Approximately 8 minutes kept on skull - Felt good, rode my bike to work 7 miles, had a numbing feeling in my mind throughout the day, but did feel slightly positive and happy. I definately noticed a positive difference compared to my usual self. Lots of dreaming that night!!!

DAY 3 Tuesday
Approximately 10 minutes kept on skull - Felt the same as the day before. I noticed i was laser like focused at work. ZERO negaive thoughts of feelings. Felt like I was living automatic. My day at work flew by. Time accellerated it felt.

DAY 4 Wednesday
Approximately 10 minutes kept on skull - Felt good, rode my bike to work again 7 miles, had somewhat of a numbing feeling in my brain throughout the day, felt extremely focused. Had a wild dream that night that I was advising President Obama!! lol

DAY 5 Thursday
Approximately 10 minutes kept on skull - Felt good, rode my bike to work again 7 miles, had a numbing feeling in my head throughout the day, felt extremely focused.(more than I ever have!) I noticed my head felt heavy. Some dreaming.
DAY 6 Friday (today) - NO TREATMENT



CONCLUSION: So given the electricity level I used to zap my skull I have no idea how much electricity actually went to my brain. I just know my results were so much better than taking drugs. My head right now still feels heavy. I do feel numb to all emotions, like love, hate, negative, or positive thoughts. Creativity feels much less. I just feel extremely focused right now. Even my boss and coworkers noticed how focused i am. No change in cognitive or motor functions, memeory feels slightly improved, I felt no pain at all throughtout this entire process. Overall I feel good. I am not doign this treatment again until i see how long it lasts, till i feel depressed again.

Lester

These are staggering results. Seems like your left DLPFC was rebuilt. lol

[MizTen]

Hello Everyone,

I am adding my experience with tdcs to this forum for your thoughts and opinions. I also want to add my experience for research purposes since i know people in the medical and research field read these forums.

The last 4 days I have been testing my own tdcs therapy. I have zero medical experience. I am a businessman. For years I have suffered from depression and have short term memory problems. I am sick of living with these issues and am desperate to try something new that might help me. Drugs do not help and make me feel even worse!

I think I have found my cure. Weather its short term or long term I dont know yet. I wanted to share my experiences with you all. I would advise not to try what i did. Some might say i over did the electricity current level but at this point in my life i dont care. The results i have experienced were worth it.


I attached the anode+ wire with a wet sponge to my left prefrontal cortex, and the cathode - wire with a sponge 3 inches above my right eye.

I used a 9 volt 1.5a AC adapter that i plugged into a surge protector. I didnt feel any pain or flashes, just some slight itching, tingling and some redness at the site where the wet sponges were put. I got between 7-8 hours of sleep a night during the days of testing. I normally NEVER dream.


Here are my results:

DAY 1 Sunday
Approximately 6 minutes kept on skull to try out - Right after I Felt like I had 2 cups of coffee. I was wide awake afterwards, my brain felt like i was absorbing things like i never have, completely focused and didnt have ANY negative thoughts no matter how hard i tried to think negatively. I had a crazy intense dream that night.

DAY 2 Monday
Approximately 8 minutes kept on skull - Felt good, rode my bike to work 7 miles, had a numbing feeling in my mind throughout the day, but did feel slightly positive and happy. I definately noticed a positive difference compared to my usual self. Lots of dreaming that night!!!

DAY 3 Tuesday
Approximately 10 minutes kept on skull - Felt the same as the day before. I noticed i was laser like focused at work. ZERO negaive thoughts of feelings. Felt like I was living automatic. My day at work flew by. Time accellerated it felt.

DAY 4 Wednesday
Approximately 10 minutes kept on skull - Felt good, rode my bike to work again 7 miles, had somewhat of a numbing feeling in my brain throughout the day, felt extremely focused. Had a wild dream that night that I was advising President Obama!! lol

DAY 5 Thursday
Approximately 10 minutes kept on skull - Felt good, rode my bike to work again 7 miles, had a numbing feeling in my head throughout the day, felt extremely focused.(more than I ever have!) I noticed my head felt heavy. Some dreaming.
DAY 6 Friday (today) - NO TREATMENT



CONCLUSION: So given the electricity level I used to zap my skull I have no idea how much electricity actually went to my brain. I just know my results were so much better than taking drugs. My head right now still feels heavy. I do feel numb to all emotions, like love, hate, negative, or positive thoughts. Creativity feels much less. I just feel extremely focused right now. Even my boss and coworkers noticed how focused i am. No change in cognitive or motor functions, memeory feels slightly improved, I felt no pain at all throughtout this entire process. Overall I feel good. I am not doign this treatment again until i see how long it lasts, till i feel depressed again.

Lester

These are staggering results. Seems like your left DLPFC was rebuilt. lol

Wow. Why do you think your brain was so responsive?

[BuddhaBandit]

I use an ActivaDose II iontophoresid delivery unit, and reusable ValuTrode neurostimulation electrodes model CFF200. The ActivaDose unit (about $200 -- no prescription required) allows you to control current precisely, ramps current up and down at beginning and end, and times the dosage. Works great. Much safer than other homemade stuff in my opinion. I usually only run at 1 mA. or less. Sometimes up to 1.2. Just turn the dial, even during treatment, and the unit will gradually increase or decrease current until it reaches your setting. The perfect solution for me. Oh, it also detects bad electrode connections and stops treatment or won't start until proper connection is made. Comes with full instructions and a protective plastic carrying case where the unit sits in a block of shock absorbing foam. Uses 9v battery and goes up to 4 mA. I've read that we should stay below 2 for tdcs.

[Izan]

works great for you that's nice, but kind of results where you getting?

[e8.root]

I use battery/dc_adaptor + aluminum foil + saline solution soaked paper towels setup for about week now. Current wary greatly but is usually in safe reasonable zone, usually high (2-3mA) at start of stimulation and it fades down to <1mA. I can increase current up to ~9mA levels very fast if I want to.

During tDCS I feel strange bitter-sweet taste in my mouth and it's there even many hours after stimulation. Color perception also improve from tDCS and it's also during and after stimulation. Nothing excessive though. Another effects worth noting is alleviating depression. I feel more spaced out and in the zone now. Once again this effect is not very strong.

I will continue stimulation and see what happens next. So far I'm very pleased with results, especially that it's literally for free.

Warrning: Don't try such setup without current regulator at home. It's cheap but it can hurt a lot if used improperly. I even got marks on skin from >5mA current so it's not very safe at least not for the skin. You have been warned!

[Rior]

I'll probably be contributing to this thread fairly soon, I just had a birthday and have enough money to purchase a tDCS kit from www.trans-cranial.com It's expensive as shit though considering how basic the components are.

[lester1]

I am back. I stopped using TDCS for a few months too see how long the effects would last. After I stopped my depression and anxiety came back after about a month of not doing morning treatments. I also built a new device using a 9v 2.3ma setup. Anode over left eye, and cathode over the right temple area for 15 minutes each morning before work. I use a baseball hat to keep the anode and cathode sponges in place.. The results are PROFOUND!!.. My depression went away the same day. I feel more clear headed. Negative thoughts are gone. Anxiety feelings were cut in half but still remains due to my own hectic personal life. AND yes I see colors more boldly. Its very noticeable. I don't even need coffee anymore. TDCS for some reason makes my brain WIDE AWAKE all day. I am so happy I went back to using TDCS. I am no doctor or scientists. Just a guy with an MBA who was tired of using drugs that turn me into a zombie. Right now I am on no medication. Just TDCS every morning for 15 minutes. This treatment really works.

[Reformed-Redan]

I am back. I stopped using TDCS for a few months too see how long the effects would last. After I stopped my depression and anxiety came back after about a month of not doing morning treatments. I also built a new device using a 9v 2.3ma setup. Anode over left eye, and cathode over the right temple area for 15 minutes each morning before work. I use a baseball hat to keep the anode and cathode sponges in place.. The results are PROFOUND!!.. My depression went away the same day. I feel more clear headed. Negative thoughts are gone. Anxiety feelings were cut in half but still remains due to my own hectic personal life. AND yes I see colors more boldly. Its very noticeable. I don't even need coffee anymore. TDCS for some reason makes my brain WIDE AWAKE all day. I am so happy I went back to using TDCS. I am no doctor or scientists. Just a guy with an MBA who was tired of using drugs that turn me into a zombie. Right now I am on no medication. Just TDCS every morning for 15 minutes. This treatment really works.

Hello lester1,

Sounds like tDCS really works for you. Could you please share with us your setup and what parts you used to build it? Thanks. Worth trying out if you have such profound effects.

[lester1]

Its really simple. A 9v battery, and connector (purchased from radio shack), A ohm resistor to bring the Anode to 2.5ma, (2) 12 inch wires, one + the other -, connect the end of each cable to the backside of 2 small wet sponges. A baseball hat to hold the sponges in place on your head for 15 minutes in the morning. Its just a prototype, but gets the job done. The current flowing to my brain is between 2-2.5ma. Very Safe!.. I am just blown away by the results. I think most people are scared to try this but why be scared of this when instead you take mind numbing drugs that turn you into a zombie. TDCS does not! I noticed a positive difference immediately in my thinking and mood. Colors seem so much brighter too... I also want to add. I got 7 hours of sleep the night before, and took a b12 vitamin. No caffeine at all and I was wide awake and focused all day.

[soulfiremage]

I've a stupid question that I preface with all due caution: TENS machines seem to be 0-100mA with a 20% error margin. So my question is NOT to imply to any thread skimmers that I think this could be used as I DON'T have the experience to say in the slightest.

However, has anyone any experience with modifying or using a TENS device for tDCS or is the consensus that there are too many unknowns? I've a proper device on order, just discovered its shipping from China! and will be here Tuesday. Meanwhile I've got two Tens machines in the house and an E-Stim device...so of course, I'm cautiously curious .

I might add I'd want to find reliable certainty before I fried neurons as there ain't too many up there to start with and I'd rather not end up with lonely ones!

[csrpj]

How different is tDCS from CES? If CES doesn't work for me, is tDCS different enough that it likely may?

[lester1]

Your not frying your brain. Not at all. The current is so small you barely notice it and their is no pain. All your doing is giving your brain a little wakeup. TDCS is a far better alternative than mind numbing drugs.

[lostfalco]

How different is tDCS from CES? If CES doesn't work for me, is tDCS different enough that it likely may?

tDCS is quite different than CES. I currently (no pun intended) use both. tDCS for enhancement and CES for relaxation.

[lester1]

How do you use CES? What is your setup?

[lostfalco]

How do you use CES? What is your setup?

A friend of mine gave me this device...http://www.voltahealth.com/sota-biotuner.php

I use the ear clips on a low setting while meditating/relaxing daily.

The real science on this is somewhat mixed/incomplete...we are very possibly into the pseudo-science realm here so keep that in mind. Do I enjoy it? Yes. Do I wake up in the morning with a slight mood boost? Yes. Could all the the positive effects be due to meditation or other activities/supplements? Yes...cum hoc ergo propter hoc

[lester1]

wow that's great alternative than taking some prescribed drug that makes you a zombie and has side effects.

[lester1]

Let me be quite clear that the anode and cathode need to be placed on the forehead only. This is stimulating the prefrontal cortex only. That is where memory and depression lay.

[formergenius]

Couldn't the cathode simply be placed on the shoulder? I've read several people, and seen a video of a guy explaining tDCS, put the cathode on the shoulder whilst having the anode on the DLPFC.

[ATA]

Extracephalic reference electrode (cathode on the shoulder) is not that efective propably becouse different current path in the brain (neurone orintation to the electric field).Also modulate function on larger area.
Future is in HD-TDCS uses 4x1 or another advanced configuration of elctrodes for focusing stimulation.

[Godof Smallthings]

ATA, have you successfully created a flow state in yourself or somebody else in your experiments? If yes, was the flow state specific for that activity, or a generalized flow state that would work for almost anything?

I currently have one 5 x 5 cm electrode and one 8 x 8 cm sponge electrode. Any thoughts or pointers about those electrode sizes? More specifically, what would be the best modality for boosting working memory?

I have tried both with the 5 x 5 cm electrode as the anode located over the left DLPFC (the device set to 2 mA, duration 20, 25 or 30 min) and the 8 x 8 cm electrode as the cathode, located over the right supraorbital area. I did not experience any particular benefits for the Dual n Back task.

I also tried with the 8 x 8 cm electrode as the anode over the left motor cortex and the 5 x 5 cm electrode as the cathode over the right DLPFC. Unexpectedly, this gave me the highest overall score I've experienced on the Cambridge Brain Sciences IQ challenge. Any thoughts on this? To me, the result seems weird, as the motor cortex should have very little to do with performance on those tasks..?

[soulfiremage]

lester1 you mention less creativity?

I'm hypothesizing that this is due to anodal stimulation of the right pfc?

Did you find improvement in creativity with placing the cathode on the right temple or any other location? The creativity aspect is important to me, would prefer not to have to trade off if I can manage it! I'm picking my unit up shortly.

[formergenius]

Extracephalic reference electrode (cathode on the shoulder) is not that efective propably becouse different current path in the brain (neurone orintation to the electric field).Also modulate function on larger area.
Future is in HD-TDCS uses 4x1 or another advanced configuration of elctrodes for focusing stimulation.

How about cathode on at Oz?

[formergenius]

Tomorrow I am going to build this device. (simple breadboard version with 23A 12V battery)
It says to use Amrex electrodes. I presume the sponge electrodes, but I don't know for sure.
Any ideas on how to make electrodes? Conductivity apparantly plays a role....
Aside from shaving my head, I wouldn't know where to begin.

Regarding the circuit/machine itself, I'll be consulting the people at the electroshop seeing as I don't know the first thing about electricity.
I figure if I follow the exact instructions on the aforementioned page, I'll be safe. I'll be buying a multimeter to measure mA output.

Edited by formergenius, 07 May 2013 - 10:05 PM.

[soulfiremage]

Tried left dlpfc with smaller sponge electrode and reference on upper arm. Read the manual and they say not to do physical or mental activities during, did 30 mins. About to sleep. Will do another in the morning,

Not certain what effect I have got, if any. Mind is clearer.

[formergenius]

Hmm I suspect doing some form of meditation during stimulation would be most preferable over other activities. Anything that puts you in a good state of mind basically (no drugs, lol :D)
A clear mind is always nice. Perhaps ATA was right regarding lesser effects with extracranial cathodal application.
Also, I've read of people using a TENS device.. there was an entire collective research article stating TENS was popular. Can't find it now though.
How many mA's did you apply? Some people need at least 1.5 for effects, whereas 1 won't do much. Idk what the TENS is like, but if it has a switch/tuner I suppose you could fiddle untill your skull goes "I like this".

Anyways, curious to see your progress. Good luck

[Absent]

Lester1,

To be clear, if I set this up, how do I stick the wires into the sponges, just poke them in? I was under the impression that even if the sponges are wet there needs to be a metal contact plate? And what sponge thickness are we talking about, standard kitchen type sponge from the grocery store? Cut to any particular size?

I'm going to radio shack tomorrow to get the stuff.

List of stuff I plan to get there:

Ohm Resistor, to bring current down to 2.5ma, and possible a few others
9v connector
2 wires
9v battery.

Stuff's probably around $10? Any other suggested things to make the device stay together better?

Also, have you tried going longer than 15 minutes? What happens if you go an hour?

Edited by Siro, 08 May 2013 - 02:08 AM.

[Godof Smallthings]

Tried left dlpfc with smaller sponge electrode and reference on upper arm. Read the manual and they say not to do physical or mental activities during, did 30 mins. About to sleep. Will do another in the morning,

Not certain what effect I have got, if any. Mind is clearer.

What is their stated rationale for no activity during stimulation?

My current understanding is that, for example, the oft-quoted sniper training involved training prior to, during and after stimulation.