Wanted...

[Peter]

An electromagnet in figure-8 configuration, capable of providing 2 tesla on the coil surface in short pulses, with a zero-to-peak current rise time of 70-100 microseconds and a maximum duty cycle of 1hz or better, for transcranial neurostimulatory fun.  Anyone know if that would be a feasible DIY project?

[Pyraxis]

If you do, give me the full report afterwards. 

[Tesla]

I think you'll have to make your own... 

Here's some equations to get you started:
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/magnetic/indcur.html#c2

 

[renaeden]

If you do, give me the full report afterwards. 

If he is still alive. 

[Peter]

I'm experimenting with direct electric stimulation at the moment, since it's easy to do.  Right now I'm using a 20V source and 10K of resistors to pass 1.45mA through my left prefrontal cortex.  I might post pics later, but the USB ports on my main comp are out of action, so I'll have to boot up my laptop to get at them.

[Dexter Morgan]

Is safety guaranteed?

[Peter]

No, it's not.  I already have several nasty burns.

[renaeden]

Maybe you could use some sort of gel? When I had an EEG they used gel on my scalp. My hair was a mess afterwards.

[Peter]

Maybe you could use some sort of gel? When I had an EEG they used gel on my scalp. My hair was a mess afterwards.

A gel might help; I think I have some gelatine in the kitchen.  My last attempt at electrode design was to spread the current out over a larger area by using a large, flat wad of cotton wool soaked in saline, with a backing of aluminium foil, but the crocodile clip I had attached to it got pressed into it by the bubblewrap I used to bind it to my arm, producing a path of low resistance so that most of the current passed through a small area and burned the underlying skin.

[renaeden]

Ouch.

Found some information on EEG gel but I don't know if it would be the sort you want or whether something from home would just as well.

"About the ELEFIX EEG Paste - 4 Pack
EEG Electrode paste, low impedance highly conductive gel, specially formulated to stick the electrodes on the skin without additional adhesive disks. Four 6oz. tubes tubes per package."

http://www.bio-medical.com/product_info.cfm?inventory__imodel=elefix&gclid=CKm678eDx5YCFSAUagodJVmczQ

[Peter]

Part of the problem is that it wasn't an ouch, just a tingling itch, so I didn't know it was happening until I took the electrode off.

[renaeden]

Burns itch more than hurt at first, I agree. But if you scratch and pop the blister later on, it can sting a lot.

Have a look at this:


I hope that image worked. It looks.... fluffy. The picture is from  http://www.technologyreview.com/biomedicine/21462/

A new imaging method that offers an unprece­dented view of ­complex neural structures could help explain the workings of the brain and shed light on neurological diseases.

[Peter]

Neat; I wish I could get one of those for my brain.  It looks like something a lot of good research could come from.  When did you get an EEG done?

[renaeden]

I have had two.  The first one I had - I can't remember the year - showed abnormality of the right temporal lobe. I had a SPECT scan after that and got a tentative diagnosis of Temporal Lobe Epilepsy.
The last one I had was in 2006, just before I had ECT.

Did you say you had burnt your arm? I thought you would have burnt your scalp.