Do-it-yourself and direct-to-consumer neurostimulation

There is a growing concern for how unintended audiences are co-opting neuroscience knowledge for use outside conventional medical or academic settings. In particular, do-it-yourself (DIY) and direct-to-consumer (DTC) transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) have not been well received by scientists and ethicists, who have warned against the practice both in media outlets and academic journals. In this chapter, I provide an overview of tDCS technology and a historical characterization of the rise of DIY and DTC neurostimulation. Next, I review empirical research on the home use of brain stimulation, focusing on demographics, usage practices, and safety and efficacy. In the ensuing section I present previously unpublished pilot data on the provision of tDCS by practitioners in private clinics in the United States. I then outline the regulatory issues surrounding both the sale of DTC neurostimulation devices as well as the provision of neurostimulation services. Finally, the chapter concludes with a brief discussion of the ethical issues surrounding both the home use of tDCS and the provision of tDCS in private practice.