Difference between revisions of "Foc.us"

From HCE Wiki - The Human Cognitive Enhancement Wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
(Ethical & Health Issues)
(a correction)
Line 103: Line 103:
  
 
On their websites Foc.us warns that their device should not be used by anybody under 18, since his or her brain still develops. They also pointed out the most common risks as is skin burns, dizziness and headache.<ref name="Foc.us DIY"/> They also stress that the device should not be used by patients suffer from bipolar depression, epilepsy, seizures, severe heart disease or brain lesions.<ref name="booklet"/>  
 
On their websites Foc.us warns that their device should not be used by anybody under 18, since his or her brain still develops. They also pointed out the most common risks as is skin burns, dizziness and headache.<ref name="Foc.us DIY"/> They also stress that the device should not be used by patients suffer from bipolar depression, epilepsy, seizures, severe heart disease or brain lesions.<ref name="booklet"/>  
 
  
 
== Public & Media Impact and Presentation ==
 
== Public & Media Impact and Presentation ==

Revision as of 09:03, 1 December 2016

Foc.us
Foc.us V2.jpeg
Category Transcranial direct-current stimulation, Cranial electrotherapy stimulation
Developer Transcranial Ltd.
Announced
Released Developers: 13th November 2014 (V2 edition)[1]
Consumers: June 2013 [2], May 2015 (V2)[3]
Price 299 USD , 399 USD Lucid Dreaming Kit (November 2016)
Max output 2 mA2 T
0.002 A
[4]
Session duration 2400 s40 minute
Scalp location Fp1, Fp2 Foc.us V1 stimulator[5]
Weight g
Controls

joystick, button, tablet, personal computer, smartphone [6]

Data available
Risk factor
Medical prescription No
http://foc.us/v2

Foc.us is a small tDCS (transcranial direct-current stimulation) device. It was developed by a London based company, Transcranial Ltd.[7] The first version of the device was focused on video game players,[8] but the current version could be used for brain stimulation in general. In addition, the current version of Foc.us, Foc.us V2, could deliver also different types of brain stimulation, namely cranial electrotherapy stimulation, transcranial pulsed current stimulation, transcranial random noise stimulation and double blind sham stimulation.[7] Transcranial Ltd. also sell Focus Lucid Dreaming Kit, which should enable its users to lucid dreaming.[9]

The first version of the device consists of a headset, which includes four sponge electrodes and a battery[10] and the device was controlled by buttons and app. It was also shipped with a small bottle and a charging cable.[8] Foc.us V2's package contains only a brain stimulator and a recharging dock, a recharging cable and a booklet. It does not include electrodes.[7] Its users can connect the device with electrodes, which are sold by Foc.us company, or electrodes of a third party.[11] Lucid Dreaming Kit includes Foc.us V2 brain stimulator, a sleeping mask, cables and a hydrogel.[9]


Main characteristics

Foc.us is a standalone device, but its functions are enlarged when it is linked with PC, tablet or smartphone. This device does not require medical prescription. However, certain customers should avoid its use due to their specific health conditions as a history of seizures.[12]

The first version of the device was shipped as a headset for video-game players. The headset was from hard plastic and contains four copper sponge electrodes. Due to construction of Foc.us device, the position of electrodes was settled to some extend.[13] However, Foc.us also allowed a different placement of electrodes if the user purchased the accessory kit, since the kit contained two separate electrodes which could be connect to the headset by cables.[14] There were buttons on the back side of the device, which controlled the session.[15] The device was charged by charging cable or the recharging station and the power was stored in 3.7 V lithium polymer type battery.[10] When the device was produced the iOS and Android apps were not finished.[14] Afterwards, the iOS app was introduced, but Android app was dependent on the upgrade of Android system.[12]

Foc.us V1 in the recharging station

In contrast to Foc.us V1, Foc.us V2 does not contain a headset or even electrodes. The Foc.us V2 brain stimulator is shipped just with a dock station for charging the device, cables and the instruction booklet. For the safety sake Foc.us V2 also includes triple current regulation, voltage control and misuse timers. It is controlled by the joystick and app. The app controls the device via Bluetooth. The device could provide various ways of stimulation, namely tDCS, CES, transcranial pulsed current stimulation, transcranial random noise stimulation and double blind sham stimulation. Since the stimulation is regulated by app, the developers claim that there could be added some other types of stimulation in future.[7] There are apps for Windows, OS X and Ubuntu systems for Foc.us V2.[16]

Foc.us provides three types of electrodes for Foc.us V2, which, however, has to be purchased separately. The Foc.us Gamer headset and the Foc.us Edge headset cost each 79 USD and contain sponge electrodes, while Moovs sticky electrodes are not available at the moment.[17] The Gamer headset has the similar purpose as the V1 device, namely it focuses on gamers. However, its electrodes could be removed from the headset and used separately. The Edge headset should help athletes to enhance their sport performance.[18]

The consumers could purchase also a Lucid Dreaming Kit, which consists of Foc.us V2 brain stimulator, a sleep mask with electrodes, hydrogel and cables.[9] The sleep mask could be also purchased separately for 9 USD.[19]

The session of the Foc.us V2 device could take from 1 minute to 40 minutes and the current from 0.1 mA to 2 mA could be delivered. There should be 48 hours gap between each session. The device contains overuse time prevention to 24 or 48 hours. The maximal voltage which could be delivered by Foc.us V2 is 60 V but it a user could lessen it manually up to 15 V.[7] If the sponge electrodes are used, they have to be moisturised before the start of the session by water or saline.[20] In the case that the sticky electrodes are used the skin has to be clean, in order to avoid burning of the skin.[21]

The first available tDCS device should be GoFlow which was developed by two students at the University of Michigan Matt Sornson and Nick Woodhams in 2012.[22] They were, however, unsuccessful and therefore they supported project which was developed by Foc.us.[23] The first available tDCS device was therefore Foc.us V1 which was shipped from June 2013, when the developers obtained FCC approval.[2] The new version of the device Foc.us V2 stimulator was unveiled in November 2014 for the developers at first.[1] Customers could buy Foc.us V2 stimulator from May 2015.[3]

Lucid Dreaming Kit

Purpose

The main aim of Foc.us V1 stimulator was to enhance skills which are essential for gamers by tDCS. Foc.us V2 stimulator focuses not only on gamers but also athletes and those who want to practise lucid dreaming.

Company & People

Foc.us was developed by Transcranial Ltd., which is based in London, UK. This company was founded by two engineers. They claim, however, that they cooperate with neuroscientist.[24]

  • Michael Oxley - the co-founder and CEO of Foc.us
  • Martin Skinner - the co-founder of Foc.us[24]

Important Dates

  • May 2013 - the pre order of Foc.us V1 started[25]
  • June 2013 - Foc.us V1 was approved by FCC and could be shipped to customers[2]
  • 13th November 2014 - the developers editon of Foc.us V2 stimulator was available for developers[1]
  • 15th May 2015 - Foc.us V2 stimulator was available for regular customers[3]

Enhancement/Therapy/Treatment

The cognitive enhancement linked with Foc.us stimulator is based on the neurostimulation, even though, there are certain studies which claim that it does not have presumed effect e.g.[26] First device focused primarily on tDCS, which is non-invasive stimulation of brain neurons by direct current. The current is delivered by hydrogel sticky electrodes resp. saline or water soaked electrodes.The current is not high enough to let the neurons fire but it is supposed to make a certain changes in their excitability. An anode makes the neurons more likely to fire for a certain amount of time, while a cathode impairs their excitability.[27] Foc.us V2 stimulator could deliver also CES, transcranial pulsed current stimulation, transcranial random noise stimulation.

In contrast to tDCS, cranial electrotherapy stimulation delivers alternating current. The current alternate in a certain amplitude (usually less than 4 mA). The precise mechanism of the stimulation has not been sufficiently investigated yet. It is supposed that the current alters the connectivity of neurons.[28] Transcranial pulsed current stimulation (tPCS) is based on alternating current and hence it is a specific type of CES. In order to provide tPCS the device has to deliver pulses in rectangular amplitude.[29] Transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS) is also a stimulation by the alternating current. On the contrary to the previously introduced stimulations, the current changes randomly in tRNS stimulation. It ranges in a chosen spectrum.[30]

Foc.us V1 device was developed primarily for enhancement of cognitive abilities involved in playing video games. Certain reviewers reported an increase of a gaming performance.[12][8] However, a research conducted by Laura Steenbergen and her colleagues suggests that Foc.us V1 impairs working memory.[31] This paper arose a great controversy in DIY tDCS community and the relevance of the research was doubted. The controversy is exposed at DIY tDCS web sides.[32]

Foc.us V2 with the EDGE headset is intended for enhancement of sport performance. The enhancement of them is described in Foc.us' bolg posts.[33][34][35] Primarily, any enhancement of sport performance has to precede or be linked with a training. They claim that tDCS stimulation could enhance implicit motor learning. The session requires electrodes placement on F3 (cathode) and Fp2 (anode), regardless on the handeness of the user. It should take 15 minutes and the recommended current is 1.5 mA.[33] The design of the session was in accordance with research conducted by researchers form the University of Hong Kong, even though, the researchers used a different tDCS device.[36] Another enhancement consist in training longer. The session requires electrodes placement on T3 (anode) and contralateral shoulder (cathode) and it takes 20 minutes. The recommended current is 2 mA.[35] The session is based on a previously conducted research.[37] Finally, the developers argue that tDCS stimulation could increase the intensity of a training. In order to obtain these results, they recommended 20 minutes long stimulation with 2 mA intensity of current. The electrodes should be placed on F3 (anode) and contralateral shoulder (cathode). There is also study where this setting was used previously.[38]

Foc.us claims that using their device during sleep could lead to the lucid dreaming.[39] There were a research which argues that CES stimulation of gamma frequency during sleep could induce lucid dreaming REM phase of sleep.[40]

The developers clearly claim that Foc.us stimulator is not a medical device and hence it is not suitable for a treatment of a therapy.[41] They tried to avoid FDA concerns. However, Foc.us' motto "take charge" could be considered as a kind of medical claim.[22]

Ethical & Health Issues

There are various health and ethical issues connected with various types of current stimulation. Some of them clearly apply on Foc.us devices. There are also one health issue which was observed by users of Foc.us V1 stimulator, namely skin burns.

Moovs - Foc.us' sticky electrodes

In the open letter published in Annals of Neurology, Rachel Wurzman and her colleagues experess various concerns concerning tDCS devices, primarily those used outside of laboratories. Firstly, they claim that a stimulation tents to influence more regions than those which users intent to stimulate, since the electrodes extends the regions and also other areas are affected by the stimulation. This could lead to unintended effects. Secondly, the brain stimulation interferes with other activities and therefore it could have unintended effects. Thirdly, the enhancement of one skill could lead to impairment of other skill. Fourthly, a small difference in the design of the session could change a whole output of the session. Fifthly, the brain of each person is unique and a placement of electrodes could differ. In addition, the excitability of each brain variate among tDCS users.[42]

As was mentioned in previous paragraph, the correct design of a session and an accurate placement of electrodes is essential for the result of the session. Anna Wexler points out that people involved in DIY tDCS community tents to be acquainted with the research[43] and Anita Jwa stresses that the community regulates those who make dangerous mistakes and advice them.[27] However, since the device could be purchased by anyone the lack of information could be harmful.

From the ethical point of view, the use of tDCS devices in sport could be controversial. There are still possibility that this treatment could be considered as doping. However, WADA or International Olympic Committee have not maintained any concerns regarding tDCS devices yet. They still monitor their usage.[44]

The users also reported various hurts caused by Foc.us V1 device, especially skin burns, generating current spikes,[45] and a loss of consciousness after use of Fuc.us device.[46] The debater 'ohsnapitsnathan' argues that the complains could be partially caused by the fact that foc.us device is the most used tDCS device on Reddit. However, he also points out that the design of Foc.us V1 sponge electrodes are smaller than regular tDCS sponge electrodes and that the montage which is used in the device have not been tested in laboratories.[47]

Moreover, it was deemed that the design of Foc.us V1 stimualtor, namely the placement of electrodes, could lead to the increase of aggression of its users.[48][12]

On their websites Foc.us warns that their device should not be used by anybody under 18, since his or her brain still develops. They also pointed out the most common risks as is skin burns, dizziness and headache.[41] They also stress that the device should not be used by patients suffer from bipolar depression, epilepsy, seizures, severe heart disease or brain lesions.[20]

Public & Media Impact and Presentation

Kate Murphy from New York Times reported that the first production of Foc.us device was sold very soon:

Available online since May, the device was sold out of its first production run of 3,000 in less than a month. “The response has been overwhelming,” said Michael Oxley, a mechanical engineer who is the company’s founder and president.[25]

In the video produced by BBC, Dr. Hannah Maslen claims that Foc.us focused on video game players, since it tried to avoid FDA investigation.

If you were to make a treatment claim, that the device would alleviate symptoms or treat a recognised disease or illness, the device would automatically fall under the medical devices directive and the legislation associated with that.[49]

Reports about FDA

Function of the device

customer service + information about use

Public Policy

Foc.us was not approved by FDA since it is not a medical device.[8]

It received FCC approval in June 2013.[2] FCC regulation relates to the amount of the radiation of the device.

Foc.us V2 obtained CE certified to Medical Standard 60601:2.[7]

Related Technologies, Projects or Scientific Research

The development of Foc.us tDCS stimulator was based on the research concerning tDCS. However, the manufactures are engineers and not neuroscientists.[24] They have not reported any independent research yet.

STEENBERGEN, Laura et al. “Unfocus” on foc.us: commercial tDCS headset impairs working memory. Experimental Brain Research 234 (2016), pp 637–643. Doi: 10.1007/s00221-015-4391-9 March 2016,

Besides the paper mentioned above, the research were not conducted with Foc.us brain stimulator. It is however mentioned in several papers as a device which could be purchased and which deliver brain stimulation.[22][27][50]

Foc.us also develops Go Flow Pro tDCS device.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 FOC.US. After a long anticipated wait the new Foc.us V2 Developer edition is now available for pre order!!. Facebook [online]. 2014, Nov 13. Available online at: https://www.facebook.com/focusgamer (Retrieved 24th November, 2016).
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 ANTHONY, Sebastian. Foc.us: The first commercial tDCS headset that lets you safely overclock your brain. ExtremeTech [online]. 2013, Jul 30. Available online at: https://www.extremetech.com/extreme/162581-foc-us-the-first-commercial-tdcs-headset-that-lets-you-safely-overclock-your-brain (Retrieved 24th November, 2016).
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 FOC.US. Foc.us take charge - tdcs - tdcs devices available to buy. Facebook [online]. 2015, May 15. Available online at: https://www.facebook.com/focusgamer (Retrieved 25th November, 2016).
  4. FOC.US. Curent Regulation in foc.us v2. Foc.us [online]. 2015, Feb 16. Available online at: http://help.foc.us/article/11-curent-regulation-in-foc-us-v2 (Retrieved 24th November, 2016).
  5. WILLIAMS, Brent. The foc.us tDCS Headset, Review Part 4, Electrode Placements. Speak Wisdom [online]. Available online at: 2013, Aug 13. https://speakwisdom.wordpress.com/2013/08/31/the-foc-us-tdcs-headset-review-part-4-electrode-placements/ (Retrieved 30th November, 2016).
  6. FOC.US. Do I need an app to control foc.us v2?. Foc.us [online]. 2014, Nov 13. Available online at: http://help.foc.us/article/6-do-i-need-an-app-to-control-foc-us-v2 (Retrieved 24th November, 2016).
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 FOC.US. The foc.us v2 stimulator. Foc.us [online]. Available online at: http://eu.foc.us/v2 (Retrieved 25th November, 2016).
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 DYCE, Andrew. Foc.us Headset Review. Game Rant [online]. Available online at: https://gamerant.com/focus-tdcs-headset-reviews/ (Retrieved 24th November, 2016).
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 FOC.US. Focus Lucid Dreaming Kit. Foc.us [online]. Available online at: http://eu.foc.us/focus-lucid-dreaming-kit (Retrieved 25th November, 2016).
  10. 10.0 10.1 KOUZANI, Abbas Z. et al. Development and Validation of a Miniature Programmable tDCS Device. IEEE Transactions of Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering [online]. 2015, Aug. Doi: 10.1109/TNSRE.2015.2468579 Available online at: http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/7202867/?arnumber=7202867&tag=1 (Retrieved 23rd November, 2016).
  11. WILLIAMS, Brent. Solid Advice on Selecting foc.us V2 Device and Accessories. Speak Wisdom [online]. 2015, Sep 20. Available online at: https://speakwisdom.wordpress.com/2015/09/20/solid-advice-on-selecting-foc-us-tdcs-and-accessories/ (Retrieved 25th November, 2016).
  12. 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 YAMADA, Kannon. Foc.us tDCS Headset Review and Giveaway. MakeUseOf [online]. 2014, Sep 30. Available online at: http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/foc-us-tdcs-headset-review-and-giveaway/ (Retrieved 25th November, 2016).
  13. WILLIAMS, Brent. The foc.us tDCS Headset, Part 2, Electrode Basics. Speak Wisdom [online]. 2013, Aug 21. Available online at: https://speakwisdom.wordpress.com/2013/08/21/the-foc-us-headset-part-2-electrode-basics/ (Retrieved 25th November, 2016).
  14. 14.0 14.1 WILLIAMS, Brent. The New foc.us tDCS Headset, Part 1. Speak Wisdom [online]. 2013, Aug 19. Available online at: https://speakwisdom.wordpress.com/2013/08/19/the-new-foc-us-tdcs-headset-part-1/ (Retrieved 25th November, 2016).
  15. LEE, Nicole. Foc.us headset claims to shock the brain for better gaming, we go forehead-on. Engadget [online]. 2013, May 17. Available online at: https://www.engadget.com/2013/05/17/focus-headset-tdcs/ (Retrieved 25th November, 2016).
  16. FOC.US. Downloads. Foc.us [online]. Available online at: http://eu.foc.us/v2/downloads (Retrieved 25th November, 2016).
  17. FOC.US. Hardware. Foc.us [online]. Available online at: http://eu.foc.us/all-products?SID=8ra4r8d2os79ll9iclduh9dmj7?SID=8ra4r8d2os79ll9iclduh9dmj7 (Retrieved 25th November, 2016).
  18. WILLIAMS, Brent. Using the foc.us V2 with the Gamer or Your Own Electrodes. Speak Wisdom [online]. 2015, Jan 8. Available online at: https://speakwisdom.wordpress.com/2015/01/08/using-the-foc-us-v2-with-the-gamer-or-your-own-electrodes/ (Retrieved 28th November, 2016).
  19. FOC.US. Foc.us lucid dreams sleep mask. Foc.us [online]. Available online at: http://eu.foc.us/focus-sleep-mask (Retrieved 28th November, 2016).
  20. 20.0 20.1 FOC.US. Focus Go Flow Manual & Instruction Booklet. Foc.us [online]. Available online at: http://help.foc.us//article/38-focus-go-flow-manual-instruction-booklet (Retrieved 28th November, 2016).
  21. OHSNAPITSNATHAN. PSA: Sticky electrodes and skin burns. Reddit [online]. 2016, Jul 2. Available online at: https://www.reddit.com/r/tDCS/comments/4qx8ic/psa_sticky_electrodes_and_skin_burns/ (Retrieved 14th November, 2016).
  22. 22.0 22.1 22.2 WEXLER, Anna. A pragmatic analysis of the regulation of consumer transcranial direct current stimulation (TDCS) devices in the United States. Journal of Law and the Biosciences [online]. 2015, Oct 12. Available online at: http://jlb.oxfordjournals.org/content/2/3/669.full.pdf+html (Retrieved 1st November, 2016).
  23. JOHN. News from GoFlow! Good and Bad. DIY tDCS [online] 2013, Jun 7. Available online at: http://www.diytdcs.com/2013/06/news-from-goflow-good-and-bad/ (Retrieved 1st November, 2016).
  24. 24.0 24.1 24.2 GEUSS, Megan. The gaming headset that (literally) shocks your brain to attention. Ars Technica [online]. 2013, May 19. Available online at: http://arstechnica.com/gaming/2013/05/the-gaming-headset-that-literally-shocks-your-brain-to-attention/ (Retrieved 15th November, 2016).
  25. 25.0 25.1 MURPHY, Kate. Jump-Starter Kits for the Mind. New York Times [online]. 2013, Oct 28. Available online at: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/29/science/jump-starter-kits-for-the-mind.html (Retrieved 25th November, 2016).
  26. HORVATH, Jared Cooney et al. Quantitative Review Finds No Evidence of Cognitive Effects in Healthy Populations From Single-session Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS). Brain Stimulation [online]. 2015, Jan 16. Doi: 10.1016/j.brs.2015.01.400 Available online at: http://www.brainstimjrnl.com/article/S1935-861X(15)00857-8/abstract (Retrieved 10th November, 2016).
  27. 27.0 27.1 27.2 JWA, Anita. Early adopters of the magical thinking cap: a study on do-it-yourself (DIY) transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) user community. Journal of Law and the Biosciences [online]. 2015, Jun 2. Doi: 10.1093/jlb/lsv017 Available online at: http://jlb.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2015/06/01/jlb.lsv017.full.pdf+html (Retrieved 22nd November, 2016).
  28. MASLEN, Hannah et al. Mind Machines: The Regulation of Cognitive Enhancement Devices. Oxford Martin Policy Paper [online]. Available online at: http://www.oxfordmartin.ox.ac.uk/downloads/briefings/Mind_Machines.pdf (Retrieved 29th November, 2016).
  29. MORALES-QUEZADA,Leon. Cognitive effects and autonomic responses to transcranial pulsed current stimulation. Experimental Brain Research [online]. 2014, Dec 6. Doi: 10.1007/s00221-014-4147-y Available online at: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00221-014-4147-y (Retrieved 29th November, 2016).
  30. POPESCU, Tudor. Transcranial random noise stimulation mitigates increased difficulty in an arithmetic learning task. Neuropsychologia [online]. 2015, Dec 28. Doi: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2015.12.028 Available online at: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0028393215302682 (Retrieved 29th November, 2016).
  31. STEENBERGEN, Laura et al. “Unfocus” on foc.us: commercial tDCS headset impairs working memory. Experimental Brain Research [online]. 2015, Aug 18. Doi: 10.1007/s00221-015-4391-9 Available online at: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00221-015-4391-9 (Retrieved 30th November, 2016).
  32. JOHN. “Unfocus” on foc.us study (was…) Widely available brain training device could impair memory: study. DIY tDCS [online]. 2015, Aug 18. Available online at: http://www.diytdcs.com/2015/08/widely-available-brain-training-device-could-impair-memory-study-yahoo-news/ (Retrieved 30th November, 2016).
  33. 33.0 33.1 RAJESH. Last longer and train harder: Foc.us on endurance. Foc.us Blog [online]. 2016, Oct 10. Available online at: https://www.foc.us/blog/last-longer-and-train-harder-focus-on-endurance.html (Retrieved 16th November, 2016).
  34. OXLEY, Michael. tDCS Placements 10/20 Guide. Foc.us Blog [online]. 2016, Sep 1. Available online at: https://www.foc.us/blog/tdcs-placements-10-20-guide.html (Retrieved 16th November, 2016).
  35. 35.0 35.1 RAJESH. Achieve Sporting Prowess with Foc.us Brain Stimulation. Foc.us Blog [online]. 2016, Jul 25. Available online at: https://www.foc.us/blog/achieve-sporting-prowess-with-focus-brain-stimulation.html (Retrieved 16th November, 2016).
  36. ZHU, Frank P. et al. Cathodal Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Over Left Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex Area Promotes Implicit Motor Learning in a Golf Putting Task. Brain Stimulation [online]. 2015, Mar 14. Available online at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.brs.2015.02.005 (Retrieved 16th November, 2016).
  37. OKANO, Alexandre Hideki et al. Brain stimulation modulates the autonomic nervous system, rating of perceived exertion and performance during maximal exercise. British Journal of Sports Medicine [online]. 2013, Feb 27. Doi:10.1136/bjsports-2012-091658 Available online at: http://bjsm.bmj.com/content/49/18/1213 (Retrieved 16th November, 2016).
  38. AYACHE, Samar S. et al. Prefrontal tDCS Decreases Pain in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis. Frontiers in Neuroscience [online]. 2016, Apr 08. Doi:10.3389/fnins.2016.00147 Available online at: http://journal.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fnins.2016.00147/full (Retrieved 16th November, 2016).
  39. FOC.US. Lucid Dream Stimulation. Foc.us [online]. Available online at: http://eu.foc.us/focus-lucid-dreams (Retrieved 30th November, 2016).
  40. PAYNE, Jessica D. The (gamma) power to control our dreams. Nature Neuroscience [online]. 2014, May 27 May. Doi: 10.1038/nn.3727 Available online at: http://www.nature.com/neuro/journal/v17/n6/full/nn.3727.html (Retrieved 30th November, 2016).
  41. 41.0 41.1 FOC.US. DIY tDCS. Foc.us [online]. Available online at: http://www.foc.us/diy-tdcs (Retrieved 16th November, 2016).
  42. WURZMAN, Rachel et al. An open letter concerning do-it-yourself users of transcranial direct current stimulation. Annals of Neurology [online]. 2016, Jul 7. Doi: 10.1002/ana.24689 Available online at: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ana.24689/abstract (Retrieved 16th November, 2016).
  43. WEXLER, Anna. The practices of do-it-yourself brain stimulation: implications for ethical considerations and regulatory proposals. Journal of Medical Ethics [online]. 2015, Aug 31. Doi: 10.1136/medethics-2015-102704 Available online at: http://jme.bmj.com/content/early/2015/08/30/medethics-2015-102704.abstract (Retrieved 18th November, 2016).
  44. STRICKLAND, Eliza. Olympic Athletes Are Electrifying Their Brains, and You Can Too. IEEE Spectrum [online]. 2016, Aug 23. Available online at: http://spectrum.ieee.org/biomedical/bionics/olympic-athletes-are-electrifying-their-brains-and-you-can-too (Retrieved 12th September, 2016).
  45. OHSNAPITSNATHAN. Update on the electrical safety of the foc.us. REDDIT [online]. 2014, Mar 16. Available online at: https://www.reddit.com/r/tDCS/comments/20jzrd/update_on_the_electrical_safety_of_the_focus/ (Retrieved 30th November, 2016).
  46. PACKMANTA. First time using Foc.us: saw bright white flash, passed out momentarily. Help. REDDIT [online]. 2014, Feb 16. Available online at: https://www.reddit.com/r/tDCS/comments/1y1vlz/first_time_using_focus_saw_bright_white_flash/ (Retrieved 30th November, 2016).
  47. OHSNAPITSNATHAN. PSA: Potential safety issues with the foc.us. REDDIT [online]. 2014, Feb 17. Available online at: https://www.reddit.com/r/tDCS/comments/1y5otr/psa_potential_safety_issues_with_the_focus/ (Retrieved 30th November, 2016).
  48. A MODERN MONK. New to tDCS? 5 Tips that will save you from headaches, shocks, and burns. Medium [online]. 2014, Jul 18. Available online at: https://medium.com/tdcs-and-neurodynamics/new-to-tdcs-5-tips-that-will-save-you-from-headaches-shocks-and-burns-1672790f68e8#.i3fsvhr5m (Retrieved 30th November, 2016).
  49. HOGENBOOM, Melissa. Warning over electrical brain stimulation. BBC [online]. 2014, Aug 24. Available online at: http://www.bbc.com/news/health-27343047 (Retrieved 25th November, 2016).
  50. DUBLJEVIĆ, Veljko. The Rising Tide of tDCS in the Media and Academic Literature. Neuron [online].2014, May 21. Doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2014.05.003 Available online at: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0896627314003894 (Retrieved 30th November, 2016).