TMS

This is a process that stimulates the brain through the use of a time varying magnetic field. First introduced in the 1980’s for noninvasive stimulation of the brain, it has primarily been used in conjunction with diagnostic techniques. TMS can be used to activate or suppress the following: motor control, visual perception, and cognitive processes. The effect is transient.

With the development of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, rTMS, therapeutic applications are being developed. The effect of this technique can be long lasting.

In both types of TMS the magnetic field is produced by passing an alternating current through an inductor. With the device near the skull, the magnetic field directly induces bioelectricity within the brain through neural depolarization.

The shape and size of the application coil directly affect the shape of the magnetic field created. This directly affects the precision of the induced currents. The magnetic field strength is limited to two Teslas, and the frequency is limited to one Hertz for normal TMS.

TMS possess to ability to not only augment perception, but to bypass the external means of sensory input. As the understanding of brain function localization continues to grow, so does that ability to directly access specific functions of consciousness. Visual stimuli can be created without the input of the eyes, sounds and patterns can be focused directly into the brain.

The potential of TMS to bypass current forms of recreational stimulation should be obvious. Possibly as effective as wireheading, and the lack of a permanent hole in the skull has it's obvious advantages. The ability to specialize and localize the effect should also make it more popular then CES.

Normal TMS has been approved for many applications in scientific and medical fields, and healthy control subjects are allowed to participate without additional constraints.

rTMS is a placed in a different category of feasibility. This type of stimulation can exceed twenty-five Hertz, and last several minutes. Approved for very limited use, rTMS has been known to cause seizures in healthy control subjects.

As far as enhancement is concerned, a research paper studying savant like skills released in 'normal' people was written in 2003.

 

EEG

Electroencephalograph is a process that seeks to measure brainwave activity. It is relatively imprecise compared to many new diagnostic medical devices, but the technology has reached a state of maturation that ensures safety in operation.

EEG has an immense amount of potential for control supplementation. Brain Computer Interfaces are very popular in certain research circles, and predominantly centered around EEG.

EEG coupled with biofeedback has amazing potential for enhancing recreational stimulus.

This area has seen an amazing amount of research in the past ten years. Although used in brainwave feedback programs to improve meditation and well being, the full potential of rehab and enhancement has not been tapped. Only in recent literature are you seeing a real evaluation the potential to repair and improve wetware permanently with neurofeedback techniques.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CES

Pulses of milliamp level current is passed through the cranium via electrodes often attached to the earlobes. The desire is to induce a chemical response from the hypothalamic region. Also known as TCES, Transcutaneous Cranial Electrical Stimulation.

The use of CES in perception augmentation is an underdeveloped area of research.

CES is certainly the most powerful form of recreation neural electromagnetic stimulation available. It is the first fully formed "Digital Drug" accessible to the masses. The effects are significant.

"The main property of TCES is to potentiate some drug effects, especially opiates and neuroleptics, ..."

This technology has a long history in the medical device community, but has never gained widespread acceptance. Although, some insurance programs are beginning to investigate the validity of the technology.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Light Machine

Light Machines utilize pulsing lights, in the form of LEDs, to entrain brainwaves to desired frequency. Different patterns are thought to create alternative experiences for the user. Although the effect of different patterns has not been studied rigorously, the frequency following response has been verified with EEG studies.

The most frequently used commercial version would be the Audiostrobe encoding system, that is compatible with the BrainWave Generator.

There are possibilities for Light Machines in perception augmentation, but further development will be required. Light machines suffer from a similar problem to binaural beats, the difficulty in incorporating them into a multisensory experience. It is possible to incorporate audio programming into the experience relatively successfully.

Light machines are currently the most accessible form of recreational stimulation. When implemented correctly the effect is significantly more noticeable then binaural beats. The difference between the entrained frequencies is possibly more important then the specific frequency.

Light Machines are advertised in the same way as binaural beats, for improved meditation and increased mental health.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brainwave Generator

The BrainWave Generator is a shareware GUI for the development of brainwave entraining binaural beat programs. With the AudioStrobe encoding option, the program can also be used to facilitate Light Machine programs.

Although their are many optional programs that fulfil the same purpose, the BrainWave Generator is a well developed and proven software program, with a intuitive interface.

With continued research, the goal of perception augmentation will be accomplished when a more complete multisensory experience can be developed within the entrainment requirements.

The software offers an extremely accessible opportunity to experiment with the effects of brainwave entrainment.

Improved meditation and mental health.