At present, there are over 125 research studies on CES in humans and 29 experimental animal studies. The overwhelming majority of the scientific research is extremely positive. No significant lasting side effects have been reported. Harvard University School of Public Health, Department of Health Policy and Management found: "The meta-analysis of anxiety showed CES to be significantly more effective than sham (P<.05)

A 386% increase in attention span test results after just 20 minutes of a single CES treatment in healthy volunteers - Southworth S, A Study of the Effects of Cranial Electrical Stimulation on Attention and Concentration, Integrative Physiological and Behavioral Science, 1999, Vol 34:1, 43-53.

Is CES safe?
CES has an unblemished safety record. A broad reading of published literature on the subject shows no negative effects or major contraindications from its use, either in the U.S. or in other parts of the world. The National Research Council has deemed CES a non-significant risk modality.
The unit's sole source of current are three common 1.5 volt batterys. Its intensity is limited —no more than is required to run a small toy or a penlight. Even when turned to maximum intensity, it is not harmful. It is suggested, however, that until you become fully acclimated to your unit, you maintain the intensity at a lower setting.

Does CES Help with ???

Insomnia:	Stress	Learning	Serotonin	Alpha	Pain
Normalize sleep patterns	Reduces tension-Blood pressure	Addictions	Beta-endorphins	Theta	Panic
Depression	Elevates mood	Meditation	Euphoria	Delta	Anxiety

CHECK OUT THESE LINKS BELOW
and make up you own mind

CES in the United States has received Food and Drug Administration marketing clearance for the treatment of anxiety, depression, and insomnia. CES devices are sold over the counter in Europe and other parts of the world. Mooddisordered alcoholics have shown increased activity of the enzyme MAO-B in the spinal fluid after 20 CES treatments. (3) Patients with treatment-resistant depression have shown significant (P < 0.0089) elevations in plasma serotonin. (4) Increases in cerebrospinal fluid levels of [beta]-endorphins up to 219%, plasma endorphinsendorphins (endôr`finz), neurotransmitters found in the brain that have pain-relieving properties similar to morphine. There are three major types of endorphins: beta endorpins, found primarily in the pituitary gland; and enkephalins and up to 98%, and cerebrospinal fluid serotonin up to 200% have been demonstrated in normal volunteers receiving 20 minutes of CES. A recent annotated bibliography of CES by Kirsch details 126 human and 29 experimental animal studies of CES conducted over the past 40 years. More than half the studies cited are from the peer-reviewed literature. The majority of the studies were double-blinded and conducted at major American universities. In aggregate, there were 6,007 patients treated under varying research conditions, with 4,541 actually receiving CES treatment. One hundred twelve (89%) of the studies reported positive outcomes. Seventeen studies followed up the patients to assess any continued results after 1 week to 2 years, and all the patients showed at least some residual effect after one or a series of treatments. Source

 

Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation: A Non-Drug Neuromedical Treatment

 

The microcurrent, delivered in a unique waveform, moves electrons through the brain at a variety of frequencies, collectively known as harmonic resonance. This normalizes the electrical activity of the brain as measuredby an electroencephalogram (EEG).
This explanation sounds a little suspect and I can't vouch for the veracity of the claim. We did a search in PubMed to see if any recent studies have been performed using CES. Apparently they recently tested this device for generalized anxiety disorder with some promising results.
A pilot study of cranial electrotherapy stimulation for generalized anxiety disorder.

82% of participants in one study suffering from an anxiety disorder reported a significant improvement in their symptoms after treatment with CES. - Kirsch D, Gilula MF, Electromedicine: CES in the Treatment of Anxiety Disorders, Practical Pain Management, March 2007, pp 40-47.

Treated patients showed a 28% improvement in tender point scores, and a 27% improvement in self-rated scores of general pain level. The number of subjects rating their quality of sleep as poor dropped from 60% at the beginning of the study to 5%. In addition, there were significant gains in the self-rated feelings of well-being and quality of life, plus gains in six stress-related psychological test measures.
The treatment of fibromyalgia with cranial electrotherapy stimulation.

One study reported an average 67% effectiveness in treating sleeping disorders among 648 patients, while increasing daytime vigilance. - Smith RB, Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation, Oklahoma: Tate Publishing and Enterprises, LLC. 2007, pp 37-43.

They have also done a study to reduce pain in patients with spinal cord injury.
Using cranial electrotherapy stimulation to treat pain associated with spinal cord injury.

In animal studies at the University of Tennessee Medical Center, researchers used drugs to deliberately upset the homeostatic balance among the brain's neurotransmitters in canine subjects. In this way they induced Parkinson-like behavior in the dogs. Once all drugs were removed from their bloodstream, and the animals were put back on normal feeding schedules, they returned to normal behavior within 3-7 days. If CES treatment was applied at the time the drugs were removed, all animals returned to normal within 2-8 hours. The researchers concluded that CES was effective in bringing back to pre-stress homeostasis, neurotransmitters that had become If that were a mechanism of action, then many kinds of medical conditions should respond to CES, and research soon found that CES was effective in the treatment of addictions, (11-13) in head injury, (14) in various types of cognitive dysfunctions, (15-16) and more recently in reflex sympathetic dystrophy. (17-18) In addition, the use of CES in the treatment of many types of pain patients has been documented, (19,20) and ongoing studies are documenting the effectiveness of its use in treating patients suffering from the difficult fibromyalgia syndrome. (21-22) Still, it came as something of a surprise when within the past 12 months, two testimonial letters arrived in our office from MS patients describing highly positive experiences with CES. One woman noted, "I have used the CES for about three weeks. It relieves intense pain and puts me in a very relaxed state. I use it at least three to four hours a day." A man wrote regarding his wife's use of CES for her MS, "My wife suffers from MS. She is classified as a chronic progressive patient. Within a few days of using the (CES device), my wife was not getting tired as fast as before. She could hold up to eight hours of activity instead of 3-4 hours ... my wife has cut back dramatically on the amount of medication she used to take." (23) Ray B. Smith "The use of cranial electrotherapy stimulation in the treatment of multiple sclerosis".

This paper reviews the scientific literature on cranial electrostimulation
(CES) as a non-chemical means to alleviate opiate withdrawal symptoms
Cranial electrostimulation (CES) use in the detoxification of opiate-dependent patients.

Learning causes changes in synaptic connectivity between one neuron and another. Dendrites increase in length, change branching patterns, and the number of spines alter. Connectivity is altered not only by increasing the actual number of synapses but also by altering the size or position of any particular synapse. Johnson, George. In the Palaces of Memory:

 

Safe Effective Nondrug Treatment of Chronic Depression: A Review of Research on Low-Voltage Cranial Electrical Stimulation and Other Adjunctive Therapies

What's 3 times better than Prozac? CES was found to be two times more effective in treating depression than the most effective antidepressant drugs on the market. In fact, CES treatment is 3 times as effective as fluoxetine (Prozac) in the curing of depression, compared to placebo (fake treatment). - Gilula MF, Kirsch DF, Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation Review: A Safer Alternative to Psychopharmaceuticals in the Treatment of Depression, J Neurotherapy, 2005: 9(2), pp 7-26.

Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation Review: A Safer Alternative to
Psychopharmaceuticals in the Treatment of Depression

One study reported an average 92% increase in beta-endorphins in the CSF after only 20 minutes of a single CES treatment. - Shealy CN, Cady RK, et al., Cerebrospinal Fluid and Plasma Neurochemicals: Response to Cranial Electrostimulation, J Neurol Orthop Med Surg, 1998, 18, pp 94-97.

Cranial Electrical Stimulation

One study reported an average 92% increase in beta-endorphins in the CSF after only 20 minutes of a single CES treatment. - Shealy CN, Cady RK, et al., Cerebrospinal Fluid and Plasma Neurochemicals: Response to Cranial Electrostimulation, J Neurol Orthop Med Surg, 1998, 18, pp 94-97.

 

Cerebrospinal Fluid and Plasma Neurochemicals- Response to Cranial ...

We Sing The Mind Electric

Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation (CES), Chi,Homeostasis, and the Bioelectrical System
The Research\ Studies section starts with an article on CES and chi, homeostasis and the bioelectrical system. Following this are some articles by Ray Smith, Ph.D. that are recently completed summary studies or meta-analyses of different cogent CES topic areas. Following these articles are broad range database literature search results. I hope you enjoy these readings.
And an extensive Research / Studies Section provides much of the solid scientific documentation for the claims

Possible range of benefits are based on 20 years of experience and observation

Reduced Pain
Ability to Focus
Lucid Dreaming
Deep Relaxation
Alzheimer's Disease
Chronic headaches
Centering and Calmness
Reduced Nervous Energy
Deeper, more Restful Sleep
Better Sexual Performance
Improved Mental Abilities
Traumatic head injuries
Short Term Memory Improvement
Increased Mental and Physical Energy
Reduced Negative Behavior Patterns
Heightened Alpha Brainwave Patterns
Improved Attention Span and Concentration

 

FAQ Everything you wanted to know about CES...

Transcutaneous Cranial Electrical Stimulation (Limoge’s Currents) Decreases Early Buprenorphine Analgesic Requirements After Abdominal Surgery

A study done in Texas reported an 83% positive response after CES treatment in patients suffering from severe aggression attacks that could not be managed by drugs. 67% of these severely aggressive patients that had been permanently institutionalised were well enough to be discharged after three months of daily CES treatment. - Childs A, Price L, Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation Reduces Aggression in Violent Neuropsychiatric Patients, Primary Psychiatry, 2007: 14(3), pp 50-56.

Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation (CES):A Safe And
Effective Non-Pharmocological Treatment for Anxiety

" Imagine how your life and career would improve if you could learn faster and retain much more without constant revisions ?" Research shows that the key to speed learning is your state of mind before, during and immediately after your learning session. It is when you are in a state of relaxed alertness that you will achieve the greatest improvement in memory together with increased concentration and creativity. You Can Improve memory and retention of study material Enhance understanding during learning sessions Accelerate new language learning Increase maths ability

 

AN INTRODUCTION TO CRANIAL ELECTROTHERAPY STIMULATION

Other brain wave activity such as Alpha (8-12 Hz) and Delta (0-4 Hz) are generally not focused on by ADHD-Neurofeedback research. Worth noting is that in normal development, Alpha increases between the ages of 12-14, while Theta levels decrease at this time (Swartz, 1995). This maturational stage is delayed in ADHD population throughout the 12-14-age range. For example Mann, et al. (1992) found that ADHD boys showed continued increased levels of Theta representative of brainwave activity in younger children. More

Transcutaneous cranial electrical stimulation

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The Human Brain: How We Decide from Science in Action on Vimeo.

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How does CES work?

As with a number of medicines, the mechanism of action (how it works) of CES is not fully understood. Research has led to the hypothesis that it has a mild effect on the hypothalmic area of the brain. Researchers also have noticed rapid increases in serotonin, also associated with relaxation and calmness, and decreases in cortisol, one of the primary stress-related biochemicals. Interestingly, CES also increases levels of norepinephrine and dopamine, both associated with alertness and feelings of pleasure. This may be why so many CES users report feeling both relaxed and alert and slight to moderate euphoria after use.

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Wide variety of Applications

Possible Explanations
The microcurrent, delivered in a unique waveform, moves electrons through the brain at a variety of frequencies, collectively known as harmonic resonance. This normalizes the electrical activity of the brain as measuredby an electroencephalogram (EEG).

The exact physiological mechanism by which CES works is not fully understood and is still the subject of research study. It is hypothesized, however, that CES acts by indirectly stimulating brain tissue in the hypothalamic area, causing the brain to manufacture various neurohormones and restoring them to pre-stress homeostasis.

Is CES safe? CES has an unblemished safety record. A broad reading of published literature on the subject shows no negative effects or major contraindications from its use, either in the U.S. or in other parts of the world. The National Research Council has deemed CES a non-significant risk modality. The unit's sole source of current are common 1.5 volt batterys. Its intensity is limited —no more than is required to run a small toy or a penlight. Even when turned to maximum intensity, it is not harmful. It is suggested, however, that until you become fully acclimated to your unit, you maintain the intensity at a lower setting.

It appears that CES influences areas of the brain called the thalamus, hypothalamus and the reticular activating system. It also seems to stimulate the vagus nerve, producing a state of parasympathetic nervous system dominance. The parasympathetic nervous system has a general calming effect on the body. This is certainly consistent with the effects observed with CES. CES has been documented to normalize the body’s electrical fields. This has been measured on EEG (brain wave tracing). For example, people with moderate to severe pain from osteoarthritis were found to have abnormal brain wave activity. After five minutes of CES treatment, brain waves were virtually normal and pain was reduced by more than fifty percent. It has been found that individuals whose brain waves improved the most had the greatest pain relief. It is postulated that CES restores normal electromagnetic communication between cells. This may have the effect of regulating cellular differentiation, tissue repair, and immune function.

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Case Studies / Vignettes Section

The efficacy of CES has been demonstrated in many different ways. Studies have used twenty-seven different psychometric (pencil and paper) tests including the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory and the State/Trait Anxiety Inventory. CES has consistently demonstrated reductions in anxiety on these tests. Other studies have measured the physiological manifestations of anxiety before and after CES treatment. Slowing of brain waves and respiration rate, as well as reduction in blood pressure are physical signs of stress reduction that have been documented with CES treatment. One placebo-controlled study evaluated the effects of CES treatment in twenty individuals with chronic stress symptoms of at least a year’s duration. All of them had failed to respond to medication. Muscle tension, heart rate and finger temperature were measured before, immediately after, and one week following a single twenty minute CES treatment. Muscle tension and heart rate decreased and finger temperature increased immediately after treatment in those receiving active CES treatment but not in the placebo (sham CES) group. One week after treatment, those who had received active CES treatment still had significantly reduced muscle tension and heart rate! This is one of the many advantages of CES over medications. Whereas medications only work as long as they are taken, CES effects are long lasting and cumulative.

Homeostasis can be defined as the tendency for intrinsic balance within a system. Application of a range of CES appears to enhance the Balance of the biological central nervous system. A change in one system within the individual will have correlative effects upon other systems. Improvements in mood, cognitive function, self image, shift of locus , control to oneself, and sense of well being can be measured. When CES works, it enhances one's ability to handle or deal with situations that were previously beyond the range of one's control.