Neuroscientists at Edith Cowan University in Australia have proven that randomly generated electrical noise can increase learning efficiency. Study published In Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews.
The scientists reviewed existing publications on the study of transcranial brain stimulation with randomly generated noise. This process is performed using electrodes placed on the scalp. A weak electrical current is passed through them to stimulate certain areas of the brain.
The results of the review showed that tRNS can have an immediate effect during stimulation where learning becomes more effective immediately, as well as a delayed effect associated with an improvement in cognitive function after stimulation. Researchers report that tRNS can improve visual perception, help you absorb new information more efficiently, and stay focused on a task. This is especially helpful for people whose brains are recovering from a stroke, traumatic brain injury, or visual impairment – the technique was originally created for use in these groups.
But tRNS is not a tool that works in every situation, and it cannot raise our brain levels indefinitely. In some cases, the application of this technique does not seem to affect the brain at all. The effectiveness of tRNS is also age dependent.
It is believed that random electrical noise can help some neurons become more synchronized or affect levels of the key neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), but there is no conclusive evidence yet.
The technique did not improve people’s cognitive abilities during a task they were already familiar with. But it can help people with learning difficulties to learn something new. The tRNS device is quite simple, and the authors are trying to create devices for home use.