Brain Stimulation Enhances Creativity
The protagonist of the last decades has been the brain. Academics from all over the world and from different disciplines have invested a lot of time and money in researching this sunet. One of the branches that has generated the most interest has focused on finding out how to make the most of our abilities, how to rehabilitate them and even how to improve them. In this sense, one of the most innovative techniques is brain stimulation.
This technique makes it possible to induce electrical currents in the brain, to modify or stimulate the activity of certain areas. There are several types of stimulation depending on the degree of invasion and the type of stimulus. Among the main ones are:
- Deep Brain Stimulation (PCE): This type is invasive, as it involves the implantation of pulses or electrodes directly into a specific area of the patient’s body or brain. This technique is usually used in severe cases of Parkinson’s or hereditary tremors, for example
- Surface Brain Stimulation: Here are the types of non-invasive brain stimulation that are a breakthrough for science:
- Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (EMT): A device is placed near the scalp of the person. Magnetic fields are then generated, which induce electric currents. These pass through the skull, stimulating the target area
- Transcranial Electrical Stimulation (TSE): Electrodes are placed on the scalp and apply low amplitude currents. These increase or decrease the activity of neurons in a certain region of the brain. This current can be applied continuously (tDCS) or alternately (tACS)
The power of brain stimulation
Usually, brain stimulation is applied to compensate or alleviate certain deficits or disorders related to brain activity. In other words, the disorders in which it is used usually involve abnormal patterns of activity, either due to excess or due to a decrease. Thus, brain stimulation helps regulate the firing patterns of groups of neurons in the areas involved.
For example, transcranial magnetic stimulation is frequently used to treat mood disorders (depression, bipolar disorder), post-traumatic stress, neuropathic pain, or even stuttering. Likewise, transcranial direct current electrical stimulation (tDCS) is applied to rehabilitate processes related to cognitive, motor and sensory abilities in people with dementia or stroke.
Researchers at the University of Sydney have made an almost science-fiction discovery about this latest brain stimulation technique. Indeed, they carried out a study near a group of people having a problem which consisted in joining, by using four lines, a group of points placed three by three.
This exercise, which may seem simple, is very difficult for most people. And in this case, none of the participants could solve it.
However, after just 10 minutes of applying tDCS, almost half of them resolved it without difficulty. Those who haven’t received brain stimulation still haven’t been able to fix the problem.
Consequently, we can then ask ourselves: is it possible that this technique goes further and does more than rehabilitate certain alterations? Is it able to improve our capacities?
It also improves creativity
Other transcranial electrical stimulation techniques, such as tACS, have been applied to study neuronal oscillations and brain functions. It has also been used to apply small waves to specific areas. Linked to motor functions, working memory and perceptual areas.
Recently, a research group from the University of North Carolina went further. He studied the effect of brain stimulation on creativity. This ability is to generate innovative ideas and to combine familiar concepts with new ones. In addition, she was associated with intelligence.
North American researchers performed creativity tests on a group of subjects. Before and after the application of alternating current brain stimulation (tACS). Thus, they saw that by increasing the power of alpha waves in the frontal cortex, by transcranial stimulation, creativity also increased by 7.4%.
The future ?
There is no doubt that researchers have not finished studying its use to improve cognitive abilities. There will likely come a time when we can improve our memory through brain stimulation. Our ability to make decisions or our attention. But would it be ethical? Would it make sense to apply brain stimulation just to be more creative?
In any case, there is still a long way to go to optimize the results produced by this type of intervention. On the other hand, if progress is made with the aim of improving certain pathologies, the wish shared by all is that science continues to progress.
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