Brain Zapping Improves Math Ability

sciencehabit writes "If you are one of the 20% of healthy adults who struggle with basic arithmetic, simple tasks like splitting the dinner bill can be excruciating. Now, a new study suggests that a gentle, painless electrical current applied to the brain can boost math performance for up to 6 months. Researchers don't fully understand how it works, however, and there could be side effects." We've covered various other potential benefits to having your brain shocked.

How it really works

[Anonymous Coward]

OK OK I'll solve your equation. Anything! Please don't shock me again!

*BZZZZZ*

ARRRRGH!

huh

[WGFCrafty]

If you are one of the 20% of healthy adults who struggle with basic arithmetic

Wow, I never realized the majority of people struggle with this.

Re:huh

[Anonymous Coward]

One in twenty isn't a majority.

Re:huh

[MadKeithV]

Woosh ;-)

Re:huh

[beelsebob]

Woosh ;-)

Side effects

[wonkey_monkey]

Unfortunately it makes speaking proper England unpossible.

Re:huh

[fph il quozientatore]

I see you are one of the 40% of healthy adults who struggle with sarcasm. Don't worry, you are in good company.

Re:huh

[durrr]

It's also a nice practical demonstration that there are, indeed, adults who struggle with understanding humor.

Re:mA=volts??

[jamesh]

from the article...

"The electrical current slowly ramped up to about 1 milliamp—a tiny fraction of the voltage of an AA battery—"

Perhaps the article writer could benefit from this electroshock therapy as well....

Perhaps they could benefit from this http://blog.xkcd.com/2013/05/15/dictionary-of-numbers/ [xkcd.com]

"1 milliamp [~ the amount of current applied to the brain to boost math performance for 6 months]"

Extrapolation

[jamesh]

if 1 milliamp produces a 6 month increase in maths performance, then logically, 1 ampere should produce a 6000 month increase in maths performance. Your genius would be smokin'!

Test case

[Skiron]

Supposing 0.1 amp per 6 volts in 39 minutes increases mathematical ability by 2%, at what rate should the current be applied and for how long before you can work this out?

Smart enough to not let them zap you again

[Carewolf]

Hi, you look stupid, would you mind if I zap your brain?
Uhm...
It will make you smarter! promise.
Uh. Okay.

Ouch
Muhahaha.
I don't feel any smarter...
Would you let me zap you again?
No!!
See! You are smarter already

Re:uhh

[turp182]

It's what brains crave! And Brawndo has them.