TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) uses a handheld magnetic coil to cause temporary lesions in your brain — for research and therapy, of course.
It sounds more intimidating than it actually is. When it comes to public demonstrations, the most that (visibly) happens is a twitch of the right hand or the participant’s temporary inability to continue counting basic numbers. The sides of their mouth scrunch up, and their voice trails off into a slight grunting sound.
“één, twee, drie, vi-urrgggghh…..”
It makes for great entertainment, especially when that participant is your professor, or your willing friend.
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“Who wants to go first?”
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TMS feels like someone is poking your head with their finger.
“You must do a lot of pointing” says the professor, after only my right index finger twitched at 65% capacity. He mentioned something about musicians having finer motor control of each individual finger, but I don’t play any instruments.
You can even apply the TMS machine on your leg. My entire left leg jumped after the professor put it on my left thigh.
I don’t think there was any purpose for that, other than curiosity’s sake.