Big Ideas

How far would you go to improve your focus, memory, or even learning ability? Would you be willing to strap on headgear that delivers electrical shocks to targeted areas of your brain? You may soon have that option. It’s called trans-cranial direct current stimulation, and it’s currently being tested on soldiers and used by gamers, students, and others looking for a cognitive edge. But questions linger: does it work? What are potential long-term effects? And how should it be regulated? This program is part of the Big Ideas Series, made possible with support from the John Templeton Foundation.Learn More

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TOPICS: Art & Science, Biology & Origins of Life, Earth & Environment, Mind & Brain, Physics & Math, Science in Society, Science Unplugged, Space & The Cosmos, Technology & Engineering, Your Daily Equation, Youth & Education

TAGS: 2015, brain magnets, Coffee, cognition enhancement, ESL eSports, gamers, Health (Industry), How to be better at starcraft 2, improve your focus, Michael Weisend, New York City, Nita A. Farahany, performance enhancing drugs, Richard Haier, science of adderall, spark of genius, stimulant caffeine, Transcranial direct-current stimulation, Transcranial magnetic stimulation, Video Game (Industry), zapping our brains, 2015, brain magnets, Coffee, cognition enhancement, ESL eSports, gamers, Health (Industry), How to be better at starcraft 2, improve your focus, Michael Weisend, New York City, Nita A. Farahany, performance enhancing drugs, Richard Haier, science of adderall, spark of genius, stimulant caffeine, Transcranial direct-current stimulation, Transcranial magnetic stimulation, Video Game (Industry), zapping our brains

PLAYLISTS: Big Ideas

Video Duration: 01:21:33

Original Program Date: Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Moderator: Richard Besser

Participants: Nita A. Farahany, Richard Haier, Blanca Li, Michael Weisend

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