Imagine this: college students lined up along rows of small computer screens, with audiovisual stimuli streaming at the precise oscillations to increase theta brain waves and enhance memory of the upcoming lecture. This futuristic image might not be as far-fetched as you think! Researchers from the University of California’s Center for Neuroscience are experimenting with precisely such a device.
Findings were recently published in Cognitive Neuroscience regarding the strategic enhancement of memory skills by stimulating theta brain waves.
Participants were given memory assessments after either being exposed to several minutes of white noise (control group) or a rhythmic audiovisual oscillation device (experimental group) referred to as theta entrainment. The experimental group performed better on the memory tasks, and electroencephalography (EEG) revealed specific enhancement of theta brain waves during the application of the oscillating device and while completing the memory assessment. What a fascinating look at how technology and research are coming together to improve human brain capacity!
By Terissa Michele Miller, MS Psy
Check out the original research:
https://doi.org/10.1080/17588928.2018.1521386
This article was originally published in Modern Brain Journal.
About the author:
Teri Miller is a mom of nine and child development researcher with a Masters of Science in Psychology. She is a Research Associate at Gibson Institute of Cognitive Research, co-host of the podcast Brainy Moms, and the Managing Editor at Modern Brain Journal.