Pros and Cons
Pros
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- Includes both tDCS and tACS – most devices are one or the other, so this nifty device doesn’t require you to buy both
- It shows voltage values and has a simple interface
- You can increase the current in increments of 0.1ma from 0ma to 4ma
- There is a ramp-up and ramp-down feature during sessions
- A rechargeable battery is included
- Instructional videos included
- Affordable compared to other devices on the market
Cons
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- Wires fall in front of the face
- The booklet is not the most informative when it comes to the setup process
- Not the sleekest or easy-to-wear device
Customer Reviews
A happy customer on Amazon said:
“I am a neuroscientist specializing in human neurophysiology of attention and consciousness. I bought the Neuromyst pro to get a feel for what it’s like to experience brain stimulation prerequisite to designing lab experiments on brain stimulation and meditation. The device is really well engineered. I had no problems with it. I like that it offers both direct and alternating current stimulation. I think that it is priced really well. If it had an output with a timing signal, and a means of synchronizing the stimulation from several devices, I could use it in formal research studies.”
Another Amazon customer titled her review “Bye-Bye Blues” and talked about how the company’s instructional videos felt cold as they didn’t include live human beings. She reached out to NeuroMyst and discovered that they are “very nice, well-meaning humans who intend to make their user materials more user-friendly.” That human connection encouraged her to give them a try.
She goes on to say: “The product comes with pre-set protocols. Being cautious, I simply tried the first one, “Smile/Zen.” Sounds good, right? Well, it worked! Before starting it, I had a bad case of December blues. Within one week of daily “Smile/Zen” sessions I found myself completely undepressed.
I do the 20-minute protocol every day while eating my breakfast and playing the NYTImes Spelling Bee. Most of the time I don’t feel a thing; once in a while there’s a little tingling. But it never hurts. I even walk around in the middle of a session with the device in my pocket. SO much more convenient than TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation) treatment and much more effective – and cost-effective – than a home neurofeedback machine. Well worth the investment!”
Final Verdict
Overall, I commend NeuroMyst for making a traditional tDCS device that is easy to use and encourages me to keep using it. Although there are downsides, such as that it isn’t a modern headband or headset that can be worn comfortably, it is undoutedly an affordable and worthwhile device to buy.