Diy_ Tdcs Transcranial Dc Stimulator _ Tao Currents - Classical Taoism As A Religion

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DIY: TDCS Transcranial DC Stimulator | Tao Currents - Classical Taoism As A Religion

DIY: TDCS Transcranial DC Stimulator 05 Monday Aug 2013 POS TED BY NEUTRINOZ IN ACUPUNCTURE, HEALTH, MEDICINE ≈ COMMENTS OFF Warning: TDCS has been clinically proven to affect brain function. Consult a doctor before using this device. Transcranial DC Stimulation (tou lu zhi liu dian qi ji 頭顱 直流電刺激) or TDCS is a non-invasive, electronic treatment for mental disorders and cognitive improvement, similar to acupuncture in operation, but for healing the brain. Like acupuncture, TDCS can regulate the flow and balance of chi. Anodal (+) TDCS stimulates; cathodal (-) TDCS calms. Different from acupuncture, TDCS can polarize an electrical pathway across the brain. It works by passing a very small electrical current (1 to 2 mA DC) through the scalp, into brain tissue, repairing neural functions and connections. DC stimulation can polarize or depolarize, because the DC (direct current) electricity is unidirectional and can redirect the flow of charge inside the brain. Portable TDCS stimulators (like the one described here) are as convenient to carry and use as swallowing a pill. Commercial TDCS machines can cost several hundred to several thousand dollars. This project costs around $15 in parts alone, but add another $40 for tools like a soldering iron, current meter and miscellaneous parts, if not already owned. Background: TDCS complements acupuncture for comprehensive holistic therapy of mind and body. At this time, the World Health Organization recognizes only one mental disease that can be effectively treated with acupuncture: depression. One limitation of acupuncture is that the needles cannot penetrate the skull taocurrents.org/2013/08/05/diy-tdcs-transcrancial-dc-stimulator/

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safely (excluding laser acupuncture which can penetrate the skull slightly). The electric field of TDCS easily penetrates the skull to alter neural charge and chi flow and induce neuroplasticity. Many clinical studies attest to the value of TDCS to heal the mind and body. Although a known treatment mode since the 1800s, TDCS seems to be riding a surge of interest since 2000, possibly because its impact on brain function is better understood. In the PubMed Library database, maintained by the National Institutes of Health, TDCS clinical studies appear sporadically (less than 2 per year) until about 2003, when the number of studies begins rising quickly. Over 300 TDCS studies came out in 2012. TDCS has demonstrated clinical effectiveness in treating a variety of mental disorders: depression, anxiety, addiction, eating disorders, post traumatic stress disorder, dementia, and schizophrenia. Clinical trials are being set up to evaluate other mental disorders like ADHD, bipolar disorder, autism and OCD. The value of TDCS goes beyond healing mental illness. It can restore or enhance cognitive function: working memory, attention, learning, mitigate the perception of pain, suppress epileptic seizures, improve the symptoms of tinnitus and Parkinson’s disease and stroke injury. The Circuit This project is for a single-channel transcranial DC stimulator, the second of a series of simple DIY electronic chi modulators (the first was a DIY acupuncture laser). The picture above is the circuit schematic, nothing more than a current-controlled LED light that turns on when the electrodes touch skin. The sole purpose of the LED is to indicate that current is flowing. The resistor limits the current to the recommended value of 1 mA. More elaborate stimulators (multi-channel) substitute an active current source for the resistor, which taocurrents.org/2013/08/05/diy-tdcs-transcrancial-dc-stimulator/

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gives precise current regulation. A single-resistor current limiter operates more reliably than an active current source, and my experience has been that precise current regulation does not seem important. What is important is the voltage of the power supply. Many TDCS designs on the internet and sold commercially are powered by a single 9-volt battery, and my experience has been that they do not work well, even when they are set to the same current output as higher voltage stimulators, possibly because the low voltage does not adequately penetrate the skull. My TDCS devices have been most effective running on a minimum of power supply of 18 VDC (2 9-volt batteries in series). The power supplies in this project range from 24 volts to 27 volts: three 9-volt batteries for a total of 27-volts or two A23 batteries that output 24 volts. The A23 cell stimulator is much more lightweight, but does not last as long. The maximum voltage tested was 27 volts DC; I have not experimented with higher voltages. As the batteries wear down, the current will drop too. With a multimeter, periodically check the output voltage of the stimulator at the electrodes. When the voltage has fallen to 18-volts, replace the batteries. At 18 volts, the current output will fall about 70%, from 1 mA to about 0.7mA. Below 18 volts, the efficacy of stimulator diminishes. Although these stimulators do not offer the option of adjustable current, I have built others with switchable resistor values. The table below shows the R values for current outputs of 0.5 mA to 4 mA, based on the formula R = Volts/Current. Standard TDCS maxes out at 2 mA. Some TDCS devices can output as much as 4 mA, but clinical studies generally do not set the output this high. In the above formula, the value of V = V(battery) – 2V (subtracting a 2-volt voltage drop for the LED). Other than the 1mA R values, the other values have not been tested. Ideally, testing should be done with the electrodes conducting on skin (like a forearm). DC Current

R Value (24v/27v)

0.5 mA

44K/50K

1 mA

22K/25K

2 mA

11K/12.5K

4 mA

5.5K/6.2K

Construction Tips And Testing Although the circuit is relatively easy to build, the project does require basic soldering skills. I built the stimulators inside toothbrush holders. Just about any toothbrush holder can fit two A23 batteries for the 24-volt stimulator. Finding one that can hold three 9-volt batteries (27-volt) can be difficult. The holders for this project were purchased at a Shopko store in Spokane, Washington for $1.00 each (the blueyellow combo was made from purchased all-blue and all-yellow units with the parts later swapped). The holder must have two small holes at the top to form the strain relief. For the 24-volt version only, a small plastic candy holder like the Icebreakers round or oval mint packs could serve as a project case. There is no circuit board; everything is wired point-to-point. The LED, resistor and electrode cable are assembled first and then inserted into the LED mounting hole drilled into the top of the toothbrush holder. That mounting hole should be a snug fit for the LED, because friction keeps it in place; the LED’s mounting nut isn’t used. All connections are insulated with heatshrink tubing. Drop a piece of taocurrents.org/2013/08/05/diy-tdcs-transcrancial-dc-stimulator/

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DIY: TDCS Transcranial DC Stimulator | Tao Currents - Classical Taoism As A Religion

tubing onto one of the wires. Then solder and let cool. Slide the tubing over the soldered connection. Then pass a flame under then tubing to shrink it. Always confirm the actual current output of the stimulator with fresh batteries. This circuit built as shown will output 1 mA DC. Testing requires a current meter (ammeter) that can read a range of about 10 mA DC. The meter shown in the picture is a digital multimeter from Walmart that costs around $25. The testing procedure described below only tests the maximum current that flows when the electrodes physically touch, that is, not across skin/head contact. To test the current actually flowing between skin points, the ammeter must be connected in series with one electrode. Note: skin impedance drops over time, so the current reading on skin should slowly increase to the maximum value. If the skin current is too low, decrease R; if too high, increase R. The electrodes are an interesting design: sponges mounted on small Command wall hooks, which come in a variety of sizes. Choose the sponges carefully so they don’t contain impurities. The electrode sponges in this project are clean cellulose facial sponges. Rinse thoroughly before use. The other type of cosmetic sponge made of a latex-free foam seems to contain significant impurities and should be avoided, because the electricity could decompose the impurities and harm skin. In standard TDCS, the electrode sponges measure about 4 x 4 cm square and larger. For this project, the sponges must match the size and outline of the wall hooks. Smaller electrodes concentrate the charge, and larger ones distribute it. In standard TDCS, the electrodes are strapped to the head and scalp; a treatment session can last over 20 minutes and is generally given once a week or month in a clinical setting. The average length of a session with my stimulator is meant to be about 5 minutes or less, given one or more times a day, as needed. The shorter session time allows the electrodes to be held in place with hands. This article does not offer a guide to electrode placement, because the topic is complex and because study of TDCS is ongoing. Instead, placement suggestions can be found in the published studies and by consulting acupuncture charts. Clinical studies generally locate the electrodes over the area of the brain known to affect the mental condition. One alternative is to apply TDCS to acupoints or acupuncture points. Acupoints, identified and mapped by trial-and-error, have been studied for hundreds of years. The electrode sponges distribute an electric charge over a much wider area than the point-to-point contact of acupuncture needles. Yet, acupressure, which stimulates acupoints with the tips of fingers, also applies force over a wide area. The example below shows how to apply TDCS based on modern medicine by researching brain function. taocurrents.org/2013/08/05/diy-tdcs-transcrancial-dc-stimulator/

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Instructions For Building A Transcranial DC Stimulator Parts (catalog numbers are Radio Shack): 36V version 1 Red LED assembly (RS 276-0068) 3 9V battery clips (RS 270 0325) 1 25K ohm, 1/8 watt resistor or 22K ohms + 2.2K ohms (RS 271-1339 and 271-1325) 3 9V batteries Heatshrink Tubing (RS 278-1610) 1 toothbrush carrier (195 x 29 x 23 mm – see text) 2 Command Designer Hooks (small) 1 cellulose facial sponge, 6mm (0.25 inch) thick 10 feet 24-gauge 2-conductor cable (RS 278-1301) 24V version 1 Red LED assembly (RS 276-0068) 2 A23 battery holders (available on Amazon.com) 1 22K ohm, 1/8 watt resistor (RS 271-1339) 2 A23 (12V) batteries Heatshrink Tubing (RS 278-1610) 1 toothbrush carrier (205 x 27 x 20mm – see text) 2 Command Designer Hooks (small) 1 cellulose facial sponge, 6mm (0.25 inch) thick 10 feet 24-gauge 2-conductor cable (RS 278-1301) Stimulator Method:

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1. Top of toothbrush holder should have two vent holes. If one or both are missing, drill to make a set of holes at least 1/8-inch diameter each. These will be part of the strain relief for the electronic cable. 2. Locate the desired position for mounting the LED on the top half of the toothbrush holder. Lay masking tape over the position and mark 3/8-inch hole for drilling. Drill the hole and test fit the LED. 3. If R will be two resistors, solder them in series. Solder the current resistor to anode lead of the LED. The anode is the longer lead. Test the assembly with a 9-volt battery by touching the other lead of the resisot to the + terminal and the free lead of the LED to the minus terminal. It should light.

4. Cut a length (about

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4. Cut a length (about 36″) of twin lead for the electrode cable. Designate one lead to be the positive and the other negative. (Tip: examine the cable for a marking that distinguishes the leads.) Strip about 1/2 inch of insulation from the wires on one end. Solder the positive wire to the free lead on the LED. Set aside. 5. Snake the free end of the electrode cable through the LED mounting hole, and out through a hole at the top. Loop it back in and out the other hole, forming a single knot as a strain relief. 6. Assemble the battery pack: for the 24-volt version, solder two A23 cell holders in series, red to black. Insert A23 batteries into the holders. With the voltmeter, confirm the pack outputs 24 volts. To make the 27-volt pack, solder three 9V battery clips in series (red to black). Attach 9-volt batteries to the clips and confirm the output voltage of 27-volts. Test fit battery pack in the bottom half of the toothbrush holder. 7. Solder the positive (red) lead of the battery pack to the free end of the resistor. Solder the negative (black) lead of the battery pack to the negative wire of the electrode cable.

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8. Put the battery pack in the bottom half of the toothbrush holder and close with the top half.

9. Strip 1-1/2 inch of insulation off each wire at the other end of the electrode cable. Twist the strands of each wire together. Cut two 1/2-inch lengths of heatshrink tubing, one color to identify the positive wire and another color for the negative wire. Slide the tubing over their matching wires. Form the end of each electrode wire into a loop and solder in place. Tin the loop with solder. Slide the heatshrink tubing up just behind the loops and shrink in place. Touch the two loops and the LED should light. To test the current output of the stimulator, set the multimeter to read DC current in the 2mA or 20mA range. Connect the meter to the electrode loops, positive (red) meter to positive TDCS wire and negative (black) taocurrents.org/2013/08/05/diy-tdcs-transcrancial-dc-stimulator/

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meter to negative TDCS wire. The LED should light, and the meter should read about 1mA (the displays in the pictures above read within ±10% of 1mA). To test the voltage output of the stimulator, set the multimeter to read DC voltage in the 200VDC range. Connect the meter to the electrode loops as before, positive (red) meter to positive TDCS wire and negative (black) meter to negative TDCS wire. The meter should read the battery voltage minus approx. 2V for the LED. In the picture above, the meter reads 26.3 VDC, because the battery pack of three 9V batteries actually measures about 28VDC. 10. To make the electrodes: from the back of the hooks, remove the tabs for the adhesive mounting strip by sliding them down and off. Fill the back cavity of the hooks with crumpled aluminum foil to create a level surface. Lay a cellulose sponge on a table and trace the outside edge of the hook onto the sponge twice. Cut out the two electrode sponges. Position a sponge on the back of each hook and secure with a small clean rubber band.

11. To connect the

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11. To connect the electrodes, remove the rubber band from the electrode and lift up the aluminum foil. Place a wire loop into the back of the hook. Reassemble and secure the electrode with a small rubber band. Operation: General Procedure (current flows from the anode + to the cathode -): 1. Remove the sponge from the electrode. Moisten the sponges with water and squeeze out all excess. Reassemble the electrode assembly and secure with the rubber band. 2. a. To stimulate a cranial point, apply the anodic (+) electrode to the target area and the reference (-) electrode to the shoulder area on the opposite side (contralateral deltoid). b. To sedate or calm a cranial point, apply the cathodic (-) electrode to the target area and the reference (+) electrode to the shoulder area on the opposite side (contralateral deltoid). c. To re-polarize or redirect a path in the brain, first determine where on the path the brain will be stimulated and where it will be sedated. Then apply the anodal (+) electrode to the area to be stimulated and the cathodal (-) electrode to the area to be sedated. Current will flow from the anode to the cathode. taocurrents.org/2013/08/05/diy-tdcs-transcrancial-dc-stimulator/

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3. Moisten the electrode points on the skin with a waterbased lubricant like KY Jelly (optional). Place the electrodes in position and hold in place for at least 2-1/2 minutes or as long as desired. If stimulating/sedating symmetrical points, locate the mirror point on the opposite side of the head and repeat step 2. 4. When done, rinse sponges and let dry. Treating Anxiety Or Depression: A TDCS Example

An excess or deficiency of activity in the temporal lobe of the brain can result in anxiety or depression. (See, e.g., Amen, Daniel & Routh, Lisa, Healing Anxiety and Depression, New York: G.P. Putnam, c. 2003, p. 71.) For anxiety, apply cathodic TDCS to the temporal lobe to calm excitability. The picture above shows the negative electrode positioned over the temporal lobe area just behind the ears. The reference electrode (positive) goes to the base of the neck on the opposite side. Allow the current to run for 2 to 3 minutes. Then apply cathodic taocurrents.org/2013/08/05/diy-tdcs-transcrancial-dc-stimulator/

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TDCS to the temporal lobe on the other side of the head (and move the reference electrode to the other side of the neck). Total treatment time: 4 to 6 minutes. Repeat as necessary throughout the day. To treat depression, apply anodic TDCS to the temporal lobe in a similar manner (the positive electrode goes behind the ears and the negative electrode goes to the base of the neck on the opposite side). For anxiety or depression, there should be an immediate improvement after treatment. The effect is cumulative, so continue daily treatment for up to a month and maintain as needed. Not all anxiety or depression originates in the temporal lobe. If the treatments don’t seem to improve the condition, try a different placement over the temporal lobe. Finally, research other areas of the brain that could impact the condition and try relocating the active electrode there. Comments are closed.

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