How to Use the LIFTiD Headset for Depression Relief

Depression is an epidemic on a global scale! Most people experiencing the debilitation it brings are unable or unwilling to get effective treatment – due to cost, embarrassment, lack of availability, or possibly as an effect of their depression. The number of clinicians and treatment methods available pale at the scope of this real “crisis”.

Image by Cedric Delalande is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

While the numbers vary, it is estimated that 10% or more of the US population suffer with some form of depression – some of which leads to over 40,000 suicides every year (about 800,000 globally!)

Talk therapy and medications are the common treatments used to address depression and can be very effective. However, clinicians and antidepressant medications are not easily available in many locations and medications can come with a steep price-tag and an array of potential side-effects.

Enter tDCS: (transcranial direct current stimulation)

tDCS is a radical new approach to treating depression. It involves applying a tiny current to the scalp, slowly modifying how and when synapses fire in the part of the brain controlling mood. Done correctly and consistently, depression can be put to a happy end by tDCS! (pun intended)

Photo from getliftid.com

There are now many tDCS devices in the market, sold via mental health professionals and directly to the public. See http://www.caputron.com for a good overview of tDCS hardware and prices. For depression patients, a simple to use, easy to maintain device is essential – consistent use is critical to success with tDCS!

Recently the LIFTiD tDCS headset entered the market – providing a very easy to use and low cost way for people so inclined to treat their depression without medication and with or without the guidance of a clinician (if one is not available.)

Here are suggested steps to proper use of the LIFTiD headset to treat depression.

1. Unbox the headset and follow the included directions to charge its internal battery, prepare a bottle of salt/water solution, wet and attach electrode sponges, and fit the headset to your head.
2. Place the prepared headset on your head and press and hold its button for two seconds to begin a 20 minute tDCS session.
3. When the session is complete, remove the headset, rinse the sponges, and store everything in a convenient location for use the next day.

Now the HARD PART

You must do one 20 minute tDCS session per day at least five days per week – for as few as two weeks and as many as eight in order to achieve relief! tDCS only works if you are consistent and persistent! I know this can be difficult for a depressed person, but it is essential! Use a journal or an accountability partner to help you with this.

The change to your brain happens incrementally and slowly. My experience with depressed persons indicates that several sessions into tDCS use they will suddenly realize they are less and less depressed! A feeling of release comes over them that is hard to describe. For some it happens in the first week of use – for some it takes longer. Everyone is different.

Image from http://www.liftid.com

ONGOING Treatment

Once a person has begun the climb from the pit of depression, tDCS treatments can continue as desired. Depressed persons can tell when they are slipping backwards and can simply resume tDCS sessions until better. The nice thing is you own the device and can keep it and use it when you see fit. No expensive prescription drug or terrible side effects!

CAVEATS

tDCS is well researched and has a superb safety track record. But you should be aware of these items:

1. If you feel worse during or after a tDCS session, cease using the device. You may need specific guidance or another treatment method as directed by a clinician.
2. Some tingling under the electrodes is normal. The LIFTiD headset has large electrodes and a gentle current level so the risk of skin irritation is minimal. Mild redness caused by the tDCS session and the pressure of the headset on your skin is not unusual.
3. Do not attempt tDCS if you are prone to seizures or have other excluding factors as listed in the LIFTiD instructions.
4. Always involve a medical professional in your treatment plans if at all possible.

If you find that the LIFTiD headset does not work for you, don’t give up! There are many new and exciting methods for treating depression. A variation on tDCS electrode placement may be helpful too. Search the internet and speak to a clinician if possible.

See also my first LIFTiD post: https://speakwisdom.wordpress.com/2019/09/20/gentle-depression-relief-without-drugs/

For more information search the term tDCS or visit one of these websites:

http://www.caputron.com

http://www.speakwisdom.com

http://www.getliftid.com

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Gentle Depression Relief Without Drugs

LIFTiD tDCS headset. (image from LIFTid)

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) now has a long track record of safely relieving depression symptoms for thousands of individuals worldwide. In fact, the European Union, Canada, Brazil, Australia, and Singapore have approved tDCS for a variety of brain related treatments. In the US, tDCS is still considered “investigational” by the FDA – but has been studied extensively – and that work continues. Check out https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/what-psychiatrists-need-know-about-transcranial-direct-current-stimulation for a bit of background.

Developed by a Harvard neurosurgeon, LIFTiD (www.getliftid.com) is a new, very easy to use tDCS device that can provide side-effect-free depression relief at low cost. Caputron (www.caputron.com) is running a $50 special on this great tDCS device that normally sells for a good price of $150 (enter the code LIFTID at checkout.)

LIFTiD is a complete kit (including a case not shown) ready to go.

I’ve tested the LIFTiD headset and find that it works as described at the company website. It is easy to prepare for use, has one-button to activate or cancel a session, and supplies the current (1.3 mA) and voltage (max 22 v) specified. Be aware that LIFTiD is marketed as a device to “boost the brains potential” – probably to avoid FDA scrutiny – but uses a common depression treatment electrode placement. The electrodes on the LIFTiD are quite large, so they are comfortable and less likely to cause irritation.

Want to read more about tDCS? See my articles at http://www.speakwisdom.com If this technology is new to you, I suggest starting with https://speakwisdom.wordpress.com/2013/11/05/can-a-9-volt-battery-save-a-life-even-yours/

Seek professional help if at all possible. In any case, do your homework and make sure you understand what tDCS is. Does it work for everyone? No. But it works well for many!

See also: https://speakwisdom.wordpress.com/2019/09/21/how-to-use-the-liftid-headset-for-depression-relief/

Help for Your Brain: A Great Gift!

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation ( tDCS ) has come a long way in just a few years.  This incredible technology can relieve depression, improve memory, speed learning, and more and is slowly moving toward main-stream as new research, products, and government approvals come along. It’s been the darling of university research centers since Scientific American published a ground-breaking article about tDCS in 2011 ( see https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/amping-up-brain-function/ ) 

The Go Flow 4 comes in an attractive zipper case ready for travel.

Now foc.us (www.foc.us) has another product in their portfolio of brain stimulation and EEG related products – the Go Flow 4 – which is available in the US from http://www.caputron.com for $244. This complete kit includes a versatile, compact tDCS device, battery, electrodes, wires, headband and basic instructions.

The Go Flow 4 case contains all you need except water!

Here’s How It Works

The Go Flow 4 tDCS device passes an extremely small direct current through your brain via specific locations on your scalp in order to enhance or reduce a particular kind of brain activity.  It is thought that the excitation level of various brain cells is modified by the current and can result in reduction or elimination of depression symptoms, improved memory, quicker learning (including physical task learning), improved sleep, and more.  Electrodes must be placed correctly and 20 minute sessions must be repeated daily for a number of days in order to receive the full benefit of tDCS. tDCS is used by the US military, various mental health professionals, and pioneering individuals around the world. 

My famous tDCS test-head with foc.us electrodes and headband ready for a tDCS session.

To use the Go Flow 4 you follow some simple steps:

1. Attach the battery to the Go Flow 4 device
2. Place electrodes in the headband at the desired button-hole locations and moisten the electrode sponges with tap water or saline water.
3. Set the current and duration for the session using the rocker switch on the Go Flow 4
4. Place the headband on you head and position as desired. Start the tDCS session and monitor current and time remaining using the LED lights on the tDCS device

More detailed instructions are included with the Go Flow 4 and should be read carefully before use.

While most tDCS scenarios (called “montages”) use two electrodes and a current of two milliamps or less, the Go Flow 4 has some advanced capabilities that permit the use of four electrodes simultaneously, a current of up to four milliamps, and a special mode call slow oscillating tDCS (sotDCS.)  More on these in my next post.

Using the Go Flow 4

My experience with the Go Flow 4 is very positive. It is easy to use, very convenient, great for portable and travel use, and delivers predictable and reliable tDCS sessions. I love that you no longer need to disconnect the battery after use as a prior version of the Go Flow required.  

Before you buy this or any tDCS device, do your homework.  tDCS is not for everyone. Read about tDCS (google search at least) and decide if it is right for you. I can also suggest you visit:

www.speakwisdom.com
www.caputron.com
www.foc.us
www.diytdcs.com
reddit.com/r/tdcs

Electrode Wars! (Well Not Quite)

I’ve written a ton about all the great potential of brain stimulation and particularly tDCS. There are many studies and plenty of anecdote related to improving memory and creativity, reducing chronic pain, treating depression, etc. More about all of that later.

The National Center for Health Statistics just announced that the U.S. suicide rate has climbed to a 30-year high. This coupled with data that we have long had in hand – about 10% of the U.S. population is clinically depressed, that there are about 40,000 suicides in the U.S. every year, and that only about 20% of the people needing depression related treatment actually get it – tells you that our national mental health system is a failure.

tDCS* has emerged as a treatment method that is inexpensive, simple, safe, and has good effect for many of those who use it for depression related symptoms. tDCS use by professionals continues to grow and certainly the do-it-yourself (DIY) community is enthusiastic about it. tDCS requires placing electrodes on the head and passing a very tiny current between them in order to nudge the brain towards proper functioning (or enhancement.)

There are two popular kinds of electrodes, stick-on and sponge. Stick-on electrodes are simple and very useful when hair won’t get in the way. They are used once (or a few times for some) and discarded.  Sponge electrodes are preferred by most using tDCS as it can be used on skin or over hair, can be reused many times, and has a low cost per use.

Amrex has been the big dog in sponge electrodes for the tDCS world for a long time but competitors are emerging and I’d like to cover two of them here. First, Caputron (www.caputron.com) introduced a nice “clone” of the Amrex electrode some time ago and continues to offer it today.  It is available as a 3×3 (typical size used in tDCS) or 2×2 shell (about 2×2 and 1.1 x 1.1 sponge contact dimension). The Caputron electrode does have two distinct advantages – first they are more flexible and conform to curves of the skull more easily, and second they are much less expensive! A 3×3 electrode is only $12! They, like the Amrex electrodes have a banana jack for connection and a stainless steel screen behind the sponge for even current distribution. Also like Amrex electrodes, you can buy replacement sponges from Caputron (about $1 each) – or make your own from kitchen sponges.

(The Caputron shell – orange – with the sponge removed. Note the stainless screen and banana jack. An Amrex shell is shown too – gray.)

Caputron also offers a nice, general purpose strap system that can be used with any brand of sponge electrodes. It’s called the Caputron Universal Strap System and is made of rubber (not latex). There are two independent straps that are marked with a centimeter scale that makes accurate placement of electrodes easy. The system is stretchy and very adjustable for position and head size. I really like this strap system and you will too – if you don’t mind the $75 price.

(The Caputron Universal Strap on my much abused “test head”. The strap is versatile and easy to use.)

foc.us (famous for the foc.us V2 brain stimulation device and the new Go Flow tDCS device) is just releasing a new sponge electrode system  for the V2 and Go Flow that is very interesting! It consists of a rubber-like shell (about 2×2) and sponges that when inserted result in a 1.25 x 1.25 inch sponge contact area. To connect to the foc.us sponge electrodes, you need a special V2/Go Flow cable that attaches magnetically to the electrode shell. That means the problem of having an electrode jerked off of your head should you become tangled somehow goes away. This is a vastly better connection technology than the banana plug and socket used by many manufactures.

(The new foc.us electrode shell and sponge. Note the magnetic ends on the wires for easy attachment to the electrode shells. A new production white Go Flow and 9 volt battery are also shown.)

foc.us is also releasing a companion head strap with strategically placed cutouts that allows easy and repeatable placement of the electrodes on your head. This new strap ships as part of the “Go Flow Pro” which includes the tDCS device, wires, strap, electrode shells (and sponges) and will be available for separate purchase too.

(The new electrode shells, strap, and Go Flow with battery. Note: some electrode setups may require two straps.)

All of the items mentioned in this blog post (including Amrex and foc.us) can be purchased from Caputron (www.caputron.com).  It’s great to have a dealer here in the U.S. that is carrying a huge variety of devices and accessories. I suggest you visit their web site and have a look.

There are many articles about tDCS available on my blog ( www.speakwisdom.com ) and via www.diytdcs.com .

*transcranial direct current stimulation