Fisher Wallace produces products that are quite different from The Brain Stimulator family of tDCS devices. While The Brain Stimulator utilizes tDCS (Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation), the Fisher Wallace Stimulator utilizes tACS (Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation). Studies have shown that tDCS and tACS are both generally considered safe and effective methods of non-invasive brain stimulation1. However, at least one study found that tACS did not appear to create significant changes in cortical excitability2, whereas numerous studies have documented tDCS’s ability to modulate cortical excitability both during and after stimulation 3, 4.
In addition, tDCS has the ability to either increase (via Anodal stimulation) or decrease (via Cathodal stimulation) the spontaneous firing rate of neurons in the brain5, 6. This duality of effects can be seen in various scientific studies where researchers may focus on increasing desired results (such as improving cognition7), while through alternative tDCS montages, decrease others (such as chronic pain8).
While many people believe the Fisher Wallace Stimulator is FDA approved, this is not the case. Rather, The Fisher Wallace Stimulator is only FDA cleared. While much progress has been made over the years to gain FDA approval, in the field of brain stimulation there are currently no tES (Transcranial Electrical Stimulation) devices which have been granted approval. This does not mean brain stimulation devices are deemed unsafe by the organization, but rather that it has not yet been determined to what classification, standards, or methods of approval, this new industry should conform to.
Interested in learning more? Check out “What is tDCS?” or read more about The Brain Stimulator v3.0.
