Stress responses in humans controlled via high-frequency electrical signals transmitted through the skin using neurosignaling technology
In recent studies, a novel neuromodulation approach called Transdermal Electrical Neurosignaling (TEN) has shown promise in managing acute stress responses. This technique targets peripheral nerves and brain afferents, offering a non-invasive method to influence brain function.
Physiological Responses to Acute Stress
TEN has been found to have significant effects on physiological responses to acute stress.
- Heart Rate Variability (HRV): By using high-frequency, pulse-modulated electrical currents, TEN increases heart rate variability, particularly enhancing the high-frequency (HF) component. This increase in HF component indicates improved autonomic balance, with reduced sympathetic nervous system dominance under stress conditions.
- Galvanic Skin Response (GSR): TEN reduces galvanic skin responses, which are indicators of sympathetic nervous system arousal and sweat gland activity. Lower GSR values suggest diminished acute stress-induced sympathetic activation.
- Salivary α-Amylase Levels: Salivary α-amylase, a marker of sympathetic nervous system activity and stress, has been reported to decrease with TEN after stress exposure. This decrease indicates a reduction in sympathetic drive or enhanced stress recovery.
Cognitive Performance
Contrary to some concerns, TEN does not appear to negatively impact cognitive performance during or following acute stress exposure. In fact, in certain contexts, TEN may help preserve or slightly improve certain aspects of cognitive function by reducing stress-induced impairments. However, overall, TEN is neutral or beneficial rather than detrimental to cognitive performance.
Methodology
To conduct these studies, a peripheral nerve stimulator (MiniStim MS-IVA, Life-Tech, Inc., Dallas, TX) was positioned over the median nerve of the right wrist. The timing, presentation of stimuli, and acquisition of HR and GSR data were accomplished using Attention Tool (our platform, Inc., Cambridge, MA). A Shimmer3 (Shimmer, Dublin, Ireland) optical heart rate (HR) monitor was placed on the index, middle, and ring fingers of the opposite hand.
TEN was targeted to the ophthalmic and maxillary divisions of the right trigeminal nerve and cervical spinal nerve afferents (C2/C3). The observations suggest that TEN may act partially by modulating activity in the locus coeruleus and subsequent noradrenergic signaling.
In conclusion, TEN neurosignaling targeting peripheral nerves and brain afferents appears to mitigate physiological stress responses by increasing parasympathetic activity (raised HRV), decreasing sympathetic arousal (lower GSR and salivary α-amylase), while cognitive performance remains stable or modestly improved. This makes TEN a promising non-invasive approach to modulating acute stress responses without compromising mental function. Compared to active sham stimulation, TEN significantly suppressed sympathetic activity in response to acute stress, and it did not impede cognitive performance.
- The significant effects of Transdermal Electrical Neurosignaling (TEN) on physiological responses to acute stress extend to mental health, as it has been shown to decrease salivary α-amylase levels, a marker of sympathetic nervous system activity and stress.
- In the realm of health and wellness, the benefits of TEN extend beyond physiological responses, as it appears to maintain cognitive performance during and following acute stress exposure, even exhibiting a modest improvement in certain aspects of cognitive function.
