A group of advanced clinical techniques used to modulate neuronal activity in specific brain regions without requiring surgery or pharmacological agents, offering a targeted approach to influence brain function. Common methods include Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) and Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS), which use magnetic fields or weak electrical currents, respectively, to safely alter cortical excitability. These techniques are employed to improve mood, enhance cognitive performance, and treat neurological conditions by leveraging neuroplasticity.
Origin
The term is a descriptive clinical category for technologies that have evolved from the foundational understanding of neurophysiology and electromagnetism, with the first major non-invasive methods developed in the late 20th century. Its use in the hormonal health and wellness space reflects a growing interest in directly optimizing the central nervous system, which is the master regulator of the endocrine system.
Mechanism
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) uses a rapidly changing magnetic field to induce a localized electrical current in targeted cortical areas, either exciting or inhibiting neuronal firing, depending on the stimulation pattern. Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) applies a low-level direct current via electrodes on the scalp, which subtly shifts the resting membrane potential of neurons, making them more or less excitable. These modulations facilitate long-term potentiation or depression, promoting adaptive neuroplastic changes in the targeted neural circuits.
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