Mind Modifications

Towards Responsible Use of Cognitive Enhancers

mind — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 22:04:04 +0000

Here is an interesting Nature journal article about cognitive-enhancing drugs and their current legal status. The authors argue that even though there are risks involved, the overall benefits for the individuals and the society are greater, and thus use of cognition-enhancing drugs (for example Ritalin, Modafinil, Adderall, Aricept) should be allowed for use by healthy people [...]

A Paper About Ganzfeld Hallucinations

mind — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 19:00:56 +0000

The site ended up at MetaFilter, and the resulting traffic influx killed the poor web server. But now the server is up again - hello to all MetaFilter people, hope you enjoy your visit(s)! The MetaFilter article pointed to a Mindhacks post about a very interesting research paper at Cortex volume 44. Unfortunately direct linking does not [...]

Emotiv EPOC Gadget Shown on the Discovery Channel

mind — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 11:40:42 +0000

I got mail from Emotiv pointing out that the Discovery Channel recently ran a feature about building a mind-controlled car, using the Emotiv EPOC gadget for brain-computer interface. If you are in the USA, have a look. I would appreciate if you could post some comments, as I was unable to view the video - I’m [...]

The Link and Story Mnemonics

mind — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 14:43:42 +0000

Here are two mnemonic techniques which help memorize (sequential) lists. In principle, these two techniques are similar to the Loci system but really need the lists to be in sequence, whereas the Loci method is more “random access”. Examples of sequential lists are shopping lists, task lists, equations, layers in a technical architecture (e.g. OSI), and [...]

BBC4 Radio Program on the Placebo Effect

mind — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 09:01:39 +0000

The placebo effect, in a nutshell, is demonstrated like this: instead of giving a patient real medicine, he is given ineffective medicine (e.g. sugar pills) but the patient is nevertheless cured. This is because the patient thinks he is receiving real medicine and “knows” that it should work - thus, although really given ineffective medicine, [...]

Permanent Increase in Learning Capabilities Through Intensive Instruction

mind — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 18:52:18 +0000

An interesting article about research which was done to help people with dyslexia. The brain can learn to permanently adapt to enhance the learning capabilities, as long as enough training and instruction are given (and the training carefully followed, of course). Check out “Remedial instruction rewires dyslexic brains, provides lasting results”. Quote: “Focused instruction can help [...]

Simple Mindmaps How-To

mind — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 20:52:54 +0000

Mindmapping is a technique where one iteratively draws a diagram with information, and links those pieces of information together with connections. It’s a very powerful technique which you can use when trying to tackle complex problem areas, such as new ideas, studying of new subjects, analysis of problems, organizing, writing, decision-making, etc. This is a quick-and-dirty [...]

OCZ Neural Impulse Actuator Now Shipping…

mind — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 17:54:12 +0000

The consumer-grade EEG device from OCZ, the “Neural Impulse Actuator”, has started shipping. It can be bought (although stock seems empty) at least from play.com, with the price being 100 UK pounds (I will not play along with silly 99.99 prices). A review can be read at Overclock3D.net. No word yet about support for non-Windows platforms.

Nootropics in the Economist

mind — Sat, 24 May 2008 09:30:29 +0000

An article about enhancing cognition (with the aid of chemicals) in the Economist.

Sequencing Attack Against Coffee Shop Clerks

mind — Thu, 01 May 2008 11:30:42 +0000

This here is a story what happened to a friend of mine. It relies on the fact that people enter a kind of trance-like state when they do something monotonous. Behold, the sequencing attack against coffee shop clerks! Here is how it goes normally: you go into a coffee shop. You give the clerk money, the [...]