A Look At The LIFTiD tDCS
A few weeks ago, Caputron sent me a new tDCS device to try out and review--the LIFTiD brain stimulator.
So, what does it do?
Interestingly, a lot of Liftid’s marketing focuses on using it as a replacement for caffeine or other performance enhancers, and as a way to boost attention. There is some research that supports this as a use for tDCS, although weirdly the study that Liftid’s website cites (comparing tDCS with caffeine) used a completely different electrode configuration than the Liftid actually uses.
Still, there is some evidence that the Liftid’s configuration can improve attention, particularly if you’re doing a task that’s monotonous and requires focus for long periods of time (say, driving on the freeway) . There’s also evidence that this kind of stimulation can make people faster (though not better) on a number of cognitive tests.
Still, the bottom line is that this is all still very much experimental . The tasks used in laboratory experiments are much simpler than the things we deal with day-to-day, and often don’t account for the potential negative effects of the stimulation (one example: a study finding that stimulating the prefrontal cortex reduced people’s scores on an intelligence test).
Entry-level tDCS
The experimental nature of tDCS is exactly what makes Liftid’s design stand out. Most tDCS devices are built for experimenting--they let you tweak the intensity, timing, and position of stimulation. Liftid’s interface consists of just one button, which when pressed will deliver 1.3 milliamps of current to the left and right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex for exactly 20 minutes.
This simplicity is appealing--when I was feeling sleepy I opted for the Liftid device because its fixed-in-place electrodes are a lot easier to set up than those of my other devices . But it also didn’t seem like it was working, and this is where the simplicity became limiting--would it work better with higher current, or a different electrode position? There’s evidence that higher current levels might work better--but Liftid doesn’t give you any way to try that. (An unrelated issue: it’s quite easy to put the device on upside down and thus accidentally swap the locations of the anode and cathode) The device also comes with a kit that’s designed to help you get started with tDCS, which includes electrodes, a dropper for salt water, a spoon for measuring salt, and a mirror to help you stick the Liftid over F3 and F4. To start it up, you mix the salt water, wet two of the white electrode disks, and place them into the black electrode holders on the Liftid. You can then attach the device (a velcro strap across the back holds it in place) and turn it on. Overall, everything seemed comfortable and well-built. The fact that this device uses sponge electrodes as its default (and only) option, is a nice safety feature that’s likely to reduce the risk of skin burns. An unavoidably tricky part of of using this (or any) device is ensuring the electrodes were positioned properly. The manual and website instructs users to put the electrodes just under the hairline, but this is likely a bit too low to adequately stimulate the frontal cortex. (Most studies and clinics use the F3 and F4 points, which are higher). Luckily, because the device uses sponge electrodes that can work through hair, I didn’t experience any issues using the device higher on my head than recommended. It’s really important to stress this: the device will not work if the electrodes are not correctly positioned.
The Liftid with its removable sponge electrodes in (top), how the company shows you to position it on the forehead (middle).
Technical stuff
The Liftid’s electrodes and current output fall well within the accepted ranges for current and current density, and I didn’t note any major issues here.
A nice feature of the Liftid is its automatic current shutoff if the resistance becomes too high. This is something that’s found on a handful of consumer devices, and is an important way to prevent skin burns should an electrode be damaged or have a poor connection.
Like other devices that use a digital control, the Liftid’s current regulator was sometimes slow to respond to a drop in electrical resistance, resulting in momentary current spikes of a few milliamps. Current spikes at this level don’t seem to pose a safety risk, and the device was often able to prevent spikes by shutting down when resistance rose too high. It’s unlikely that you’ll experience any spiking using the device normally, unless you attempt to take it off or put it on while it’s running.
Conclusions--a neat brain stimulator, but not for everyone
A lot of what Liftid wants to be--a one-touch device to enhance your brain--is simply not possible at the moment. There are simply too many remaining questions about the efficacy of tDCS in general, and the Liftid’s electrode placement in particular. For some goals--like boosting learning or athletic perfomance--you might be better off with a different device that allows you to place the electrodes in more optimal locations.
That said, the device that exists today seemed solid, well built and easy to use. If you have to stay focused on monotonous tasks for extended periods of time--say you’re an air-traffic controller or a long-haul trucker--there’s a real case to be made that the Liftid might help.
