Difference between revisions of "Thync"

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== Public & Media Impact and Presentation ==
 
== Public & Media Impact and Presentation ==
 
Apart from the fact, that the Thync company has its own website, facebook, twitter and youtube channel, there are the another web portals talking about Thync. There are a lot of references about Thync.
 
Apart from the fact, that the Thync company has its own website, facebook, twitter and youtube channel, there are the another web portals talking about Thync. There are a lot of references about Thync.
 +
  
 
Some people don´t believe that Thync works:
 
Some people don´t believe that Thync works:
Line 110: Line 111:
  
 
''"I didn’t feel an overwhelming sense of calm or euphoria as was suggested I might. But I did feel a sense of… something due to the device. You definitely feel it working. But it would be hard for me — in a single, short sitting — to say what that was."'' (PsychCentral, John M. Grohol)<ref name= "GROHOL">GROHOL, J. What Thync Looks & Feels Like. In Psych Central. Copyright © 1995-2016 Psych Central [retr. 19.10.2016]. Available online at: http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2015/06/02/what-thync-looks-feels-like/</ref>
 
''"I didn’t feel an overwhelming sense of calm or euphoria as was suggested I might. But I did feel a sense of… something due to the device. You definitely feel it working. But it would be hard for me — in a single, short sitting — to say what that was."'' (PsychCentral, John M. Grohol)<ref name= "GROHOL">GROHOL, J. What Thync Looks & Feels Like. In Psych Central. Copyright © 1995-2016 Psych Central [retr. 19.10.2016]. Available online at: http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2015/06/02/what-thync-looks-feels-like/</ref>
 +
  
 
The others claim that Thync really works:
 
The others claim that Thync really works:
 +
 
"''Really helps me a lot. If you have depression and/or anxiety, give it a try. Company is underselling the benefits.''" (verified purchase, by Fabio on October 24, 2015)<ref name="AMAZON"/>
 
"''Really helps me a lot. If you have depression and/or anxiety, give it a try. Company is underselling the benefits.''" (verified purchase, by Fabio on October 24, 2015)<ref name="AMAZON"/>
  
Line 117: Line 120:
  
  
 +
One customer of Amazon complained about the low battery life:
  
 +
"''It works...but battery life is terrible and support nonexistent so far.''" (verified purchase, by Seth B on September 15, 2015)<ref name="AMAZON"/>
  
  
  
One example of this is web portal '''Quora.com'''. From example, Yates Buckeley here wrote:
+
'''Andy Boxall''' assumed that he felt the effects of Thyncs. But he notes that ''"there’s a chance it won’t work for others."''<ref name="DIGITAL TRENDS">DIGITAL TRENDS.Thync Review [online]. Digital Trends, 2016 [retr. 19.10.2016]. Available online at: http://www.digitaltrends.com/fitness-apparel-reviews/thync-review/</ref> According to Thync, 80 percent of people will feel the effects. The next disadvantage are the ongoing costs. By them are meant the straps, which should be used only single time. An one pack (5 straps) costs 20$. If someone had used Thync every day, he would spent  more than 80$ per month.<ref name="DIGITAL TRENDS"/>
 
 
''"When released as a product Thync was explained to be a high frequency current stimulation.  Research in this area is new so the mechanism (like most brain things) is not well understood."''<ref name="ref11">QUORA.COM. What are the potential dangers of brain-zapping devices like Thync? [online]. Quora. com [retr. 8.11.2015]. Available online at: https://www.quora.com/What-are-the-potential-dangers-of-brain-zapping-devices-like-Thync</ref>
 
 
 
The most frequently raised points of confusion:<ref name="ref11" />
 
 
 
* most people find it relaxing
 
* some do not / has some side effects
 
* not well understood
 
* long term use unclear
 
* not a medical device
 
 
 
Yates also points out that the recent study found a slight decrease in IQ as a result of basic electrical stimulation and he is afraid of a possible associating with Thync:
 
 
 
''"I presume somehow it reset some connections. I have a slight concern Thync could have a similar effect but this is very hard to test."''<ref name="ref11" />
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
On the website '''Digital Trends''' it is talking about Thync too. Editors have evaluated Thync and it received 7 stars out of 10 stars (very good). They have brought the advantages and disadvantages of Thync together:<ref name="ref18">DIGITAL TRENDS.Thync Review [online]. Digital Trends, 2016 [retr. 19.10.2016]. Available online at: http://www.digitaltrends.com/fitness-apparel-reviews/thync-review/</ref>
 
 
 
 
 
'''Highs'''                                                                   
 
* Relax or energize with a touch of a button                           
 
* App is easy to use                                                   
 
* Safe enough to use often                                             
 
* Feel like you're living in the future
 
 
 
'''Lows'''
 
* High ongoing costs
 
* Benefits won’t be felt by everyone
 
* Not very comfortable
 
 
 
 
 
'''Andy Boxall''' assumed that he felt the effects of Thyncs. But he notes that ''"there’s a chance it won’t work for others."''<ref name="ref18"/> According to Thync, 80 percent of people will feel the effects. The next disadvantage are the ongoing costs. By them are meant the straps, which should be used only single time. An one pack (5 straps) costs 20$. If someone had used Thync every day, he would spent  more than 80$ per month.<ref name="ref18"/>
 
  
 
'''John M. Grohol''', an psychologist, researcher and expert in mental health, is neutral about Thync. He tried Thync and described that felt an odd sensation but it wasn´t the sensation of calm. He wrote literally: ''"I didn’t feel an overwhelming sense of calm or euphoria as was suggested I might. But I did feel a sense of… something due to the device. You definitely feel it working. But it would be hard for me — in a single, short sitting — to say what that was."''<ref name= "GROHOL">GROHOL, J. What Thync Looks & Feels Like. In Psych Central. Copyright © 1995-2016 Psych Central [retr. 19.10.2016]. Available online at: http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2015/06/02/what-thync-looks-feels-like/</ref>
 
'''John M. Grohol''', an psychologist, researcher and expert in mental health, is neutral about Thync. He tried Thync and described that felt an odd sensation but it wasn´t the sensation of calm. He wrote literally: ''"I didn’t feel an overwhelming sense of calm or euphoria as was suggested I might. But I did feel a sense of… something due to the device. You definitely feel it working. But it would be hard for me — in a single, short sitting — to say what that was."''<ref name= "GROHOL">GROHOL, J. What Thync Looks & Feels Like. In Psych Central. Copyright © 1995-2016 Psych Central [retr. 19.10.2016]. Available online at: http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2015/06/02/what-thync-looks-feels-like/</ref>
  
'''Natalie Salmanowitz''' has taken part in a Thync social event at the company’s offices at Runway Incubator. First, she felt the desired energy sensation. She said: ''"I am not an introvert, but I am also not a small talk enthusiast. Yet, from then on, I was hyper, extroverted, confident and mentally on point. Seems I was vibing."''Next day, she tried Thync at home and she felt a pain. About her experience, she speaks as follows: ''"The next day, I positioned the module the way I had been shown, and tapped start. I felt a familiar feeling, but not the pulsing buzz. Instead, the uncomfortable burning sensation was back. I tried dialling down the intensity and attaching new strips, but the pain persisted."''<ref name="ref20">SALMANOWITZ, Natalie. Thync piece: Do mind-altering wearables live up to the billing? [online]. In New Scientist [publ. 16.4.2016] and [retr. 19.10.2016]. Available online at: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2083126-thync-piece-do-mind-altering-wearables-live-up-to-the-billing/</ref>She called by video chat with the support´s team because of positioning process but the burning sensation was persisting. Natalia has visited the Thync´s headquarters in Los Gatos. Thync´s assistant had placed the module on her head but the burning sensation came back. Eventually, Thync´s assistant confused that Natalie "deviated from the norm" and her skin was too sensitive for Thync. The another colleague uttered his speculation: "The vibes depend on your current environment" in other words, may mean the placebo effect.<ref name="ref20"/>
+
'''Natalie Salmanowitz''' has taken part in a Thync social event at the company’s offices at Runway Incubator. First, she felt the desired energy sensation. She said: ''"I am not an introvert, but I am also not a small talk enthusiast. Yet, from then on, I was hyper, extroverted, confident and mentally on point. Seems I was vibing."''Next day, she tried Thync at home and she felt a pain. About her experience, she speaks as follows: ''"The next day, I positioned the module the way I had been shown, and tapped start. I felt a familiar feeling, but not the pulsing buzz. Instead, the uncomfortable burning sensation was back. I tried dialling down the intensity and attaching new strips, but the pain persisted."''<ref name="SALMANOWITZ">SALMANOWITZ, Natalie. Thync piece: Do mind-altering wearables live up to the billing? [online]. In New Scientist [publ. 16.4.2016] and [retr. 19.10.2016]. Available online at: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2083126-thync-piece-do-mind-altering-wearables-live-up-to-the-billing/</ref>She called by video chat with the support's team because of positioning process but the burning sensation was persisting. Natalia has visited the Thync's headquarters in Los Gatos. Thync's assistant had placed the module on her head but the burning sensation came back. Eventually, Thync's assistant confused that Natalie "deviated from the norm" and her skin was too sensitive for Thync. The another colleague uttered his speculation: "The vibes depend on your current environment" in other words, may mean the placebo effect.<ref name="SALMANOWITZ"/>
 
 
 
 
On the website '''Amazon.com''', you can also find customer reviews. Here Thync gained 3,4 stars out of 5 stars. Some people who bought Thync it evaluated positively, the another negatively. Here are some examples ratings for illustrative purposes:<ref name="AMAZON">AMAZON.COM. Customer Reviews: Thync Calm and Energy Wearable , Limited Edition [online]. © 1996-2016, Amazon.com, Inc. [retr. 20.10.2016]. Available online at: https://www.amazon.com/Thync-Calm-Energy-Wearable-Limited/product-reviews/B011EVQBG0/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_viewpnt_lft?ie=UTF8&reviewerType=all_reviews&showViewpoints=1&sortBy=helpful&filterByStar=positive&pageNumber=1</ref>
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
"''It works...but battery life is terrible and support nonexistent so far.''" (verified purchase, by Seth B on September 15, 2015)
 
 
 
"''Wishful thinking but didn't work.''" (by EvntHrzn on September 12, 2015)
 
 
 
"''Really helps me a lot. If you have depression and/or anxiety, give it a try. Company is underselling the benefits.''" (verified purchase, by Fabio on October 24, 2015)
 
 
 
"''No noticeable effects with Thync.''" (by Alex on August 31, 2015)
 
  
"''If this works, it's just a placebo effect.''" (verified purchase, by Eric on September 6, 2015)
+
'''Kyle Russell'''  speaks about his experience with Thync on TechCrunch. He tried only the calm mode but he was satisfied with it: ''"While I was warned that Thync might not work the first time, a few minutes into my first session (using the Calm setting) I felt a wave of sluggishness pass over me. I had some difficulty putting words into a coherent question for Goldwasser, and felt a strong urge to take a nap that lasted until I got home. While I may have cranked the settings too high for my first go, the impression I got was that it would be great for falling asleep, not de-stressing at the office."''<ref name="Kyle Russell">RUSSELL, Kyle. Hands-On With Thync's Mood-Altering Headset [online]. [publ. 02.06.2015] TechCrunch. © 2013-2016 AOL Inc. [retr. 29.11.2016]. Available online at: https://techcrunch.com/2015/06/02/hands-on-with-thyncs-mood-altering-headset/#.jihnn2:JNRc</ref>
  
"''I rate this 10 stars not five. This product has changed my life in such a positive way.''" (by john m clark on October 7, 2015)
+
'''James Trew''' described his experience on the web Engadget too. He and his colleague Dan Cooper tried Thync at the same point and in the same hotel suit in Las Vegas. There are with them two neuroscientists of Thync (their names wasn't published). Each one of both felt the another feeling but one tried the calm mode and the other tried the energy mode. He only complained of it that the team of Thync has given no scientific explanation of neurosignaling method: ''"All I know for sure is that I enjoyed my experience. I liked it, and want to try it again. I don't know if this was placebo, a willingness for it to work or something else. I'm definitely not a morning person, and I left the briefing in a very different state to when I went in. I only wish the team were more explicit about the science, the stuff that's going on inside, and allowed us to reveal more about the product. Especially given the natural suspicion that many consumers have about "mood enhancing" devices, and even more so when they're propped up by incomplete insight into what's going on. Now that the energized feeling has faded, I'm left a little frustrated. Something only Thync can solve."''<ref name="James Trew">TREW, James. Thync's mood-changing wearable made me happy and frustrated [online]. [publ. 01.07.2015] Engadget. © 2016 AOL TECH(UK). [retr. 29.11.2016]. Available online at: https://www.engadget.com/2015/01/07/thync-mood-changing-wearable/</ref>
  
 
== Public Policy ==
 
== Public Policy ==

Revision as of 10:58, 29 November 2016

Thync
Thync-2-700x325.jpg
Category Transcranial direct-current stimulation
Developer Thync
Announced October 2014 [1]
Released Developers: October 2014 [1]
Consumers: June 2015 [2]
Price 299 USD [2]
Max output 1010 T
10 mA
0.01 A
[3]
Session duration 12001,200 s
20 minute
[4]
Scalp location from F8 to Fpz, C7 [5]
Weight 18 g [6]
Controls

smartphone, tablet [6]

Data available good
Risk factor low
Medical prescription no
http://www.thync.com/


Thync is a small triangular-shaped head-mounted device that puts on the wearer's head. Headset stimulates and activates nerves, well, the user can either relax or energize. Brain neurons remain intact, the device releases only electrical impulses. In this way, Thync controls user´s mood.[1] Thync is wireless, connected to the smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth (iOS or Android app). Users can control Thync by the official app where they can choose the length of the session. Also, they can adjust the strength of the brain-zapping there (each program follows a pattern of greater and lesser intensity, with cycles of peaks and valleys, but they can also manually raise or lower the overall strength).[7]

Company Thync raised for this project $13.000.000 and started from October 2014.[1] From 02.06.2015 is the device already publicly available and its price is 299$ (7 245,37 CZK to the 22.9.2016).[2]

Main characteristics

Thync releases the low-level electrical pulses to the nerves in the regions of brain. In this way, change of mood is occurring. The producer describes strictly, how the change of mood is occurring: "Human body balances the activity between sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. The sympathetic system is associated with a "fight or flight" response to help regulate his reaction to stress. The parasympathetic system counteracts stress to help his enter a relaxed "rest and digest" mode".[8]

Thync system has three components: module, strips and app. Module placed on forehead and strips on the back of neck. Thync app controls calm or energy vibes via Bluetooth connecting to the smartphone.[6]

Thync Components
Thync Components

The device is made of polycarbonate. The Strips and Liner are made of medical grade skin adhesives, medial grade conductive adhesives, PET film, proprietary conductive inks (nickel free) and 10K gold plated brass snaps. [6]

The dimension of the device is 1in X 2in X 0.5in (in cm: 2,54 x 5,08 x 1,27). The weight of the device is 18 grams. Thync is compatible with iPhone 5, 5s, 5c, 6 and 6 plus and with iOS 8 and higher. Battery Life is 4 to 6 vibes per charge and charge time takes approximately 2 hours via USB charging cable. Thync is wireless, connecting to the smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth (Bluetooth® 4.0 BLE). The other sensors are the singles color LEDs that indicate power, charge states and current status. Syncing is manual and syncing range is 30 feet (9,15 m). Operating temperature is -4° to 113° F (-20°C to 45°C) and maximum operating altitude is 40,000 feet (12 200 m). Thync is not water resistant.[6]

With regard to the method, Thync uses neurosignaling to the change of mood. This method based on tDCS and TENS techniques by using pulsed currents with lower-intensity and higher-frequency outputs delivered.[8]

Neurosignaling technology that delivers signals to the brain through three neural pathways.
Neurosignaling technology that delivers signals to the brain through three neural pathways.

Purpose

Thync is a wearable device whose main purpose is the change of mood. Users can choose 2 modes: calm or energy. One session takes 15-20 minutes.

Electric Feel
Electric Feel

Company & People

The Thync company was founded by Isy Goldwasser and Jamie Tyler in 2011 in Los Gatos, California. Their team is composed of these people:[9]

  • Isy Goldwasser - CEO and Founder
  • Jamie Tyler Ph.D. - CSO and Founder
  • Sumon Pal Ph.D. - Chief of Vibes
  • Anil Thakur - CTO
  • Jason Egnal - VP, Digital Marketing & Commercial Operations

Important Dates

  • 2011 - Co-founding of Company Thync by experts in the fields of neurobiology, neuroscience and consumer electronics from institutions that include MIT, Harvard, and Stanford Universities.
  • October 2014 - Beginning of the project Thync.
  • June 2015 - start selling the device Thync.[9]

Ethical Issues

At the conferences that were summarizing named "Introduction to Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Neuropsychiatric Research" (2015) and that organized Harvard Medical School[10] were some ethical issues discussed. Alvaro Pascual-Leone criticized that the neurostimulation is using as off-label application and without examination or a full understanding of safety and efficacy implications.[11] Erik Parens focused on the non-physical harms. That means, "how a technology might do harm not to our bodies, but to us as human beings." He distinguishes 4 major concerns: inauthenticity, complicity, mechanization and inequality. Parens also criticizes that "the distinction between treatment and enhancement is abstract and fuzzy".[12] Martha Farah and Walter H. Annenberg pointed to 4 overlapping categories: safety, efficacy, freedom and fairness. Furthermore, at the conference discussed the following topics: the distinction between treatment and enhancement, necessity of the further study of the long-term safety of neurostimulation, the impact of neurostimulation on the developing brain and the approval by FDA.[11]


In the other study that was named "An ethical discussion of the use of transcranial direct current stimulation for cognitive enhancement in healthy individuals: a fictional case study" and that took place from the januar till june 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, these ethical questions emerged:[13]

"(1) whether the modulation of "inner-self" characteristics, such as personality, impulsivity, and social behavior, is acceptable"

"(2) whether tDCS-induced cognitive enhancement is valid as an adjuvant, fair technique for educational purposes or should be considered "cheating" "

"(3) the consequences of the widespread use of neuromodulation for those who either cannot afford it or are not willing to receive it"

"(4) the safety aspects of tDCS"

Health Risks

According to the company, there have been no significant issues regarding Thync’s safety profile. It's known that many people engage in alcohol, drugs, and other activities due to stress, anxiety, and mood problems. Thync may allow for a safer way to alleviate these problems.[14]

Thync commented safety of their products like this: "The Thync System is a low-risk transdermal neurostimulation device intended for lifestyle use at home, work, or in wellness applications to temporarily induce mental relaxation or calmness or to temporarily increase energy, awareness, and alertness. The Thync system is a safe and low-risk device. It is not intended to treat or diagnose any disease or medical condition."[8]

As already stated above, the Thync uses TENS and TDCs techniques. "Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation(TENS) is a non-invasive analgesic technique that is used to relieve nociceptive, neuropathic, and musculoskeletal pain.[15] Transcranial direct current stimulation (TDCS) is characterized as "the most widely publically-marketed kind of brain stimulation device for cognitive enhancement."[16]

Risk of these methods is wrong placement of electrodes. Some people are right-handers, but the others are left-handers. Reversing the polarity can be dangerous and can lead to impairment of brain. At the best, it could mean ineffectiveness, in the worst, headache and brain disorders.[16] The manufacter this device recommends that people suffering to Reflex Syncope should be consult their physician before purchasing a Thync System.”[8]

Thync company released on their website "Warnings, Precautions and Adverse Reaction"[6] too.

Enhancement/Therapy/Treatment

In addition to the device changes mood, it could help with sleep problems, reduce stress or the motivation to exercise. Producers also believe that the people could reduce consumption of coffee, alcohol and drugs, as a result of introduction this device.[17]The Thync company points out that their product Thync is not determined "to treat or diagnose any disease or medical condition".[6]

Public & Media Impact and Presentation

Apart from the fact, that the Thync company has its own website, facebook, twitter and youtube channel, there are the another web portals talking about Thync. There are a lot of references about Thync.


Some people don´t believe that Thync works: "If this works, it's just a placebo effect." (Amazon, verified purchase, by Eric on September 6, 2015)[18]

"No noticeable effects with Thync." (Amazon, by Alex on August 31, 2015)[18]

"Wishful thinking but didn't work." (Amazon, by EvntHrzn on September 12, 2015)[18]

"I didn’t feel an overwhelming sense of calm or euphoria as was suggested I might. But I did feel a sense of… something due to the device. You definitely feel it working. But it would be hard for me — in a single, short sitting — to say what that was." (PsychCentral, John M. Grohol)[19]


The others claim that Thync really works:

"Really helps me a lot. If you have depression and/or anxiety, give it a try. Company is underselling the benefits." (verified purchase, by Fabio on October 24, 2015)[18]

"I rate this 10 stars not five. This product has changed my life in such a positive way." (by john m clark on October 7, 2015)[18]


One customer of Amazon complained about the low battery life:

"It works...but battery life is terrible and support nonexistent so far." (verified purchase, by Seth B on September 15, 2015)[18]


Andy Boxall assumed that he felt the effects of Thyncs. But he notes that "there’s a chance it won’t work for others."[20] According to Thync, 80 percent of people will feel the effects. The next disadvantage are the ongoing costs. By them are meant the straps, which should be used only single time. An one pack (5 straps) costs 20$. If someone had used Thync every day, he would spent more than 80$ per month.[20]

John M. Grohol, an psychologist, researcher and expert in mental health, is neutral about Thync. He tried Thync and described that felt an odd sensation but it wasn´t the sensation of calm. He wrote literally: "I didn’t feel an overwhelming sense of calm or euphoria as was suggested I might. But I did feel a sense of… something due to the device. You definitely feel it working. But it would be hard for me — in a single, short sitting — to say what that was."[19]

Natalie Salmanowitz has taken part in a Thync social event at the company’s offices at Runway Incubator. First, she felt the desired energy sensation. She said: "I am not an introvert, but I am also not a small talk enthusiast. Yet, from then on, I was hyper, extroverted, confident and mentally on point. Seems I was vibing."Next day, she tried Thync at home and she felt a pain. About her experience, she speaks as follows: "The next day, I positioned the module the way I had been shown, and tapped start. I felt a familiar feeling, but not the pulsing buzz. Instead, the uncomfortable burning sensation was back. I tried dialling down the intensity and attaching new strips, but the pain persisted."[21]She called by video chat with the support's team because of positioning process but the burning sensation was persisting. Natalia has visited the Thync's headquarters in Los Gatos. Thync's assistant had placed the module on her head but the burning sensation came back. Eventually, Thync's assistant confused that Natalie "deviated from the norm" and her skin was too sensitive for Thync. The another colleague uttered his speculation: "The vibes depend on your current environment" in other words, may mean the placebo effect.[21]

Kyle Russell speaks about his experience with Thync on TechCrunch. He tried only the calm mode but he was satisfied with it: "While I was warned that Thync might not work the first time, a few minutes into my first session (using the Calm setting) I felt a wave of sluggishness pass over me. I had some difficulty putting words into a coherent question for Goldwasser, and felt a strong urge to take a nap that lasted until I got home. While I may have cranked the settings too high for my first go, the impression I got was that it would be great for falling asleep, not de-stressing at the office."[22]

James Trew described his experience on the web Engadget too. He and his colleague Dan Cooper tried Thync at the same point and in the same hotel suit in Las Vegas. There are with them two neuroscientists of Thync (their names wasn't published). Each one of both felt the another feeling but one tried the calm mode and the other tried the energy mode. He only complained of it that the team of Thync has given no scientific explanation of neurosignaling method: "All I know for sure is that I enjoyed my experience. I liked it, and want to try it again. I don't know if this was placebo, a willingness for it to work or something else. I'm definitely not a morning person, and I left the briefing in a very different state to when I went in. I only wish the team were more explicit about the science, the stuff that's going on inside, and allowed us to reveal more about the product. Especially given the natural suspicion that many consumers have about "mood enhancing" devices, and even more so when they're propped up by incomplete insight into what's going on. Now that the energized feeling has faded, I'm left a little frustrated. Something only Thync can solve."[23]

Public Policy

The CES technique (cranial electrotherapy stimulation) has been approved by FDA to treat the depression, anxiety and insomnia. But the tDCS technique which uses the devices like Thync still isn´t approved by FDA. In the Wall Street Journal is literally written: "Thync is exempt from medical-device regulation by the Food and Drug Administration. An FDA spokeswoman declined to comment on the product." Geoffrey A. Fowler, the author of this article, reviewed a letter it sent Thync in which was written that FDA "would consider it a nonmedical “recreational” device as long as it doesn’t change the amount of electrical current it applies, among other factors." [24] The Thync company has put up on their website a decision of FDA too: "The low-risk electrical impulses that Thync uses are so minimal that the product is not subject to medical device regulations by the FDA."[25]

Related Technologies, Project or Scientific Research

Thync has already conducted studies with hundreds participants and their chief science officer Jamie Tyler is the leading researcher in the neuromodulation (with publications in Nature, PLoS ONE, Neuron and Brain Stimulation). From the perspective of MedTech Boston, their responses were substantially better than those given by many other neurotech companies touting their wares on the convention floor of CES.[26]

The company Thync published 3 studies that are concerned with their product: "The tolerability of transcranial electrical stimulation used across extended periods in a naturalistic context by healthy individuals"[5], "Transdermal neuromodulation of noradrenergic activity suppresses psychophysiological and biochemical stress responses in humans"[27] and "Transdermal electrical neuromodulation of the trigeminal sensory nuclear complex improves sleep quality and mood"[28].

No further studies about Thync has been carried out by a third parties yet.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 ADHIKARI, Richard. TECHNEWSWORLD. Thync Scores $13M for Foggy Brain Project[online]. Copyright 1998-2016 ECT News Network. [retr. 22.09.2016]. Available online at: http://www.technewsworld.com/story/81165.html
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 THYNC.COM. Thync Launches First Wearable to Shift Your State of Mind [online]. Copyright 2016 Thync [retr. 22.09.2016]. Available online at: http://www.thync.com/resources/press-release/thync-launches-first-wearable-to-shift-your-state-of-mind
  3. PATENTSCOPE. Patent US2013071916-Wearable transdermal electrical stimulation devices and methods of using them[online]. Patentscope, 2014 [retr. 19.10.2016]. Available online at: https://patentscope.wipo.int/search/en/detail.jsf?docId=WO2014082064&recNum=1&maxRec=&office=&prevFilter=&sortOption=&queryString=&tab=PCTDescription
  4. THYNC.COM. You Asked, We Answered: Frequently Asked Questions [online]. © Thync 2016 [retr. 18.10.2016]. Available online at: http://www.thync.com/blog/frequently-asked-questions
  5. 5.0 5.1 PANERI, Bhascar. The tolerability of transcranial electrical stimulation used across extended periods in a naturalistic context by healthy individuals. [online]. New York : The City College of New York, 2015. [retr. 10.12.2015]. Available online at: http://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/432410/documents/peerJ.pdf?t=1447979598033
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 THYNC.COM. Products [online]. Copyright 2016 Thync [retr. 23.09.2016]. Available online at: http://www.thync.com/products
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