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tDCS / tES (transcranial electrical stimulation)
Also known as: tDCS, tACS, tES
Gentle electrical current applied through scalp electrodes to nudge brain activity up or down. Used in depression treatment and research.
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) uses a weak, steady current; alternating current (tACS) uses rhythmic currents. They are cheap and portable, and some devices are approved for home treatment of depression in Europe. Evidence for “brain boosting” in healthy people is mixed.
Last updated Sep 30, 2026. Educational content, not medical advice.