The possibility of improving our mental abilities, developing them to the limit and overcoming any barrier is something that has always attracted the attention of human beings, being a frequent topic in science fiction.
Recently, a team of researchers have created a hat that apparently contributes to this goal. But… what are we facing? A hat that makes us smarter?
We understand by intelligence the faculty or set of faculties that allow us understand, analyze and interact with the environment in an adaptive way
Having a greater intellectual capacity therefore implies an increase in the possibility of being more adaptable regardless of whether it is understood as a general capacity or different specific capacities, with the individual realizing more easily the relationships between phenomena and how to manage situations.
This does not mean that it has to directly make us more adaptive (this would require other mental capacities in addition to mere intellectual capacity), only that it increases the possibilities of this.
Modifying intelligence with a hat: is this possible?
Intelligence is a useful quality, and many people would like to be able to enhance it But is this possible?
If we take into account that cognitive abilities are mediated by the functioning of the brain, synapses and neuronal connections, and the transmission of information from neurons, it could be possible stimulate and train our cognitive resources
In fact, there are numerous ways to improve the efficiency of our neural network, create new connections and strengthen existing ones. Examples of this are the practice of mental exercises, continued learning and training throughout the life cycle, Mindfulness and proper physical and mental self-care.
Regarding whether it is possible that an artifact can cause such enhancement of intelligence, it could be considered possible to stimulate the appropriate brain areas for certain tasks. And that is what the team of researchers at Vanderbilt University seems to have achieved, through a cap-shaped device that stimulates different regions and locations.
The device: how it works
The device in question acts by applying gentle electrical currents to certain areas of the brain. This stimulation is neither invasive nor harmful, and is similar to transcranial magnetic stimulation. The effects are temporary.
Specifically, A series of electrodes are placed on the front of the skull between which the current passes, causing the activation of the frontal lobe (specifically in its medial part). This area participates, among other functions, in learning, attention and executive functions. It also participates in the management of errors, producing brain reactions every time we make mistakes.
By emitting electric currents in this area, the aim is to omit negative responses and errors, helping us to be more efficient.
Results obtained with its application
The experiments shown show that after being stimulated by the device in question, the volunteers They tended to make fewer errors The learning capacity is also apparently stimulated, taking less time to acquire and consolidate new information.
However, the effects of this device are limited and temporary. The emission of electrical pulses causes some areas of the brain to activate and facilitate learning in this sense, but the brain activity does not last long enough to produce a lasting modification that is integrated into the psychic structure of the brain. user. Furthermore, if the reactions that make us make mistakes are manipulated We are in turn modifying aspects that contribute to learning how to learn from one’s own mistakes.
The results obtained by the research team seem to indicate that a stimulation of around twenty minutes can produce effects that will fade over the next five hours
This device can have multiple uses in the treatment of various disorders such as ADHD or schizophrenia, stimulating, for example, the nerve centers that control the inhibition of behavior and/or attention for it.
Thus, this gadget made to improve intelligence can have a large number of applications and be very useful, being a very interesting field of research for the treatment of various problems. And even so, a higher level of research is necessary to have more reliable results.
