The brain-stimulating 'thinking cap': low fashion, high IQ

In another foray into the realms of improbable brain research, mad scientists in Australia claim to have found a way to boost your intelligence to Rain Man-esque levels using magnets and something that looks like a hairnet. When inspiration is low or creativity ebbs, Sydney University researchers claim that an electromagnetic 'zap' to the left side of the brain will cause all you over-analytic, right-brained types to shift to the other hemisphere, where you will soon be writing operas, penning sonnets and proofreading like a champ. As professor Allan Snyder says: "I believe that each of us has within us non-conscious machinery which can do extraordinary art, extraordinary memory and extraordinary mathematical calculations." Really doctor? Even the guy with the "get a brain morans" sign? Okay, we'll take your word for it.

[Via Switched]

[lee s @ Oct 2nd 2008 5:27AM]

i want one too!!!

-first

im the best

[A.C.E.R. @ Oct 2nd 2008 5:29AM]

I guess for now I'll just have to twist up a fatty when I need inspiration.

[Jeremy @ Oct 2nd 2008 5:31AM]

Will this work for Palin?

[YHWHMystic @ Oct 2nd 2008 5:32AM]

Rhetorical question.

[LondonConsultant @ Oct 2nd 2008 5:36AM]

No, she'd need a brain implant first.

[Canto @ Oct 2nd 2008 5:39AM]

I think she has used it already, but a few to many times which resulted in an overdose :P

[Rhuantavan @ Oct 2nd 2008 5:46AM]

I'll take two please.

[nicko.dvz @ Oct 2nd 2008 6:20AM]

Hey, I saw this at school on an episode of (Australia) Nine's 60 minutes, and it was from, like 2002/3. Bit late engadget.

[pfromg @ Oct 2nd 2008 6:25AM]

I'm not convinced this will help the average Apple customer.

[Chuckles McGee @ Oct 2nd 2008 11:46AM]

They think a little do different (ly).

[Wodheila @ Oct 2nd 2008 6:54AM]

Do they make one for the little head too? Something to compensate for the beer goggle effect?

[Al @ Oct 2nd 2008 7:12AM]

query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9506EFD81538F931A15755C0A9659C8B63

A much better (well more reputable anyway) article

[notYou @ Oct 2nd 2008 7:33AM]

I call BS!

You used "nytimes" and "reputable" in the same post.

[loosely_coupled @ Oct 2nd 2008 11:27PM]

@majortom

Sorry bud, but you are the idiot here. This research is not talking about any "health effects" of magnetism. Yes, that gimmick is definitely pseudoscience nonsense, but this is not. They are not claiming "healing effects" nor are they selling you anything. What they ARE talking about is modulating brain activity using strong, focused magnetic fields. This is not some hokey pseudoscience, this work and other similar research is on the cutting edge of cognitive neuroscience. Apparently you have never read about the fascinating research into Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), which uses magnetic induction to alter electrical currents in the frontal cortex. They are able to effectively attenuate neural activity in certain regions of the cerebrum, and thus ascertain it's functioning. It's sort of a much more indirect and non-invasive form of deep-brain stimulation (DBS) which uses implanted electrodes to have a similar action. Both of these techniques are on the cutting edge of research and hold amazing treatment potential for all sorts of devastating neurological and mental health conditions, from epilepsy, parkinsons, alzheimers, ALS, to major depression, schizophrenia, OCD, panic disorder, etc.

Anyways, perhaps you should try to stop the foolhardy knee-jerk reactions in the future, and spend a little more time learning.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transcranial_magnetic_stimulation
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep_brain_stimulation

[loosely_coupled @ Oct 2nd 2008 11:28PM]

Argh! Stupid comment system. The comment was intended for "Majortom" below this one...

[majortom @ Oct 2nd 2008 8:12AM]

where to start. Magnets for health reasons is junk science. I work around a high strength magnet every day and my brain is no better for it. I have pain from various aliments. Magnets do not relieve pain.
non-conscious should read unconscious.
Magnets and colon cleansing belong in the same "infomercial" category. A hustle for your money and only heard on radio Sunday mornings.

[sip @ Oct 2nd 2008 9:28AM]

Sounds like you're over due for a colonoscopy.

[G @ Oct 2nd 2008 1:15PM]

it's incredible how much you've misunderstood this article and what the researchers are trying to achieve (and have achieved). Follow the link posted by Al or just look up Allan Snyder, this guy has won alot of awards and knows what he's talking about. A couple scientists actively set out to disprove him and ended up actually proving his theories.
In regards to your comment, nobody said magnets were good for your health, relieved pain or rid you of ailments. Nonconscious is an actual word and the use of "non-conscious" is appropriate here. Unconscious is the opposite of conscious so non-conscious refers to a process not having to do with being conscious or unconscious. Also nobody is trying to sell you this so think about what you're going to say before you say it.

[majortom @ Oct 2nd 2008 2:12PM]

well, since I work in the field, I might have a better view than the average IT person. I run a 1.5 Tesla magnet. I scan patients for a time span much longer than the article suggests. The patients come out just the same as they come in. And when was a "new invention", my quote, ever not made it to the infomercial world? It is junk science. From your passionate response I gather you bought stock in the company that will soon market this "idea".

And to hit the point one more time, colon cleaning is also junk science. Listen to Dr. Dean Adel. Ask any MD about the procedure. Or you could take Oprah's advice. She advocates colon cleaning. Now there is a source for medical advice.....

[bstear @ Oct 2nd 2008 9:19AM]

The picture looks like another bizarre Natalie Portman costume/hairdo from the Star Wars "prequels".

[google: Operation Northwoods @ Oct 2nd 2008 9:34AM]

That professor is so right. At 11:11 EST 12/21/2012 our third eye will be wide open and our consciousness and sub consciousness mind will be merged as one. We will make tremendous calculations in seconds cause we will use 100% of our brain, and live 1000 years, but be aware that just a tiny fraction of the population will experience this upgrade 144 000, most are not prepared and most will be kept from it by Government's microchip or nanochip, by that time world's population might be 500 000 000, for a little preview of the upgrade: DMT

[phanbouy @ Oct 2nd 2008 11:41AM]

google: porn hat

[charlie @ Oct 3rd 2008 12:03AM]

hahaha you stink of transhumanism. Ignore this clown. Most selfish wish of all is immortality........ *waits for him to put blame religion smoke screen up*

[docamg @ Oct 2nd 2008 10:17AM]

Switched, or the Australian researchers have it wrong. The left hemisphere is detail oriented. The right hemisphere is "big picture" and creative. If the magnets enhance left hemi functioning than the possibility is for an individual to become more detailed oriented. If the magnets reduce left sided functioning than the right side (creative) would be enhanced.

[Boondocker @ Oct 2nd 2008 5:30PM]

Does it run on lemons?

[Mike Schmitt @ Oct 2nd 2008 8:54PM]

Yes it will work for Palin. The dial goes to 11.

[highjumpman @ Oct 3rd 2008 7:31AM]

Their diagrams look so simple it seems like anyone could build one. Now where did I put that copper wire again?