Galvanic vestibular stimulation

Brain adaptation after 12 weeks of exposure to galvanic vestibular stimulation.

Galvanic vestibular stimulation is the process of sending specific electric messages to a nerve in the ear that maintains balance. There are two main groups of receptors in the vestibular system: the three semi-circular canals, and the two otolith organs (the utricle and the saccule). This technology has been investigated for both military and commercial purposes. The technology is being applied in Atsugi, Japan, the Mayo Clinic in the US, and a number of other research institutions around the world. It is being investigated for a variety of applications, including biomedical, pilot training, and entertainment. Not much is known about galvanic vestibular stimulation, but more scientists are continuing to research the topic.

A patient undergoing GVS noted:

I felt a mysterious, irresistible urge to start walking to the right whenever the researcher turned the switch to the right. I was convinced—mistakenly—that this was the only way to maintain my balance.

The phenomenon is painless but dramatic. Your feet start to move before you know it. I could even remote-control myself by taking the switch into my own hands.

References

• Fitzpatrick RC, Day BL (June 2004). "Probing the human vestibular system with galvanic stimulation". J. Appl. Physiol. 96 (6): 2301–16. doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.00008.2004. PMID 15133017. S2CID 8441435.
• Day BL (June 1999). "Galvanic vestibular stimulation: new uses for an old tool". J. Physiol. 517 (3): 631. doi:10.1111/j.1469-7793.1999.0631s.x. PMC 2269367. PMID 10358104.
• Fitzpatrick R, Burke D, Gandevia SC (July 1994). "Task-dependent reflex responses and movement illusions evoked by galvanic vestibular stimulation in standing humans". J. Physiol. 478 (Pt 2): 363–72. doi:10.1113/jphysiol.1994.sp020257. PMC 1155693. PMID 7965852.
• Fitzpatrick RC, Marsden J, Lord SR, Day BL (December 2002). "Galvanic vestibular stimulation evokes sensations of body rotation". NeuroReport. 13 (18): 2379–83. doi:10.1097/00001756-200212200-00001. PMID 12499833. S2CID 32077072.
• Fitzpatrick RC, Wardman DL, Taylor JL (June 1999). "Effects of galvanic vestibular stimulation during human walking". J. Physiol. 517 (Pt 3): 931–9. doi:10.1111/j.1469-7793.1999.0931s.x. PMC 2269389. PMID 10358131.
• Fitzpatrick RC, Butler JE, Day BL (August 2006). "Resolving head rotation for human bipedalism". Curr. Biol. 16 (15): 1509–14. doi:10.1016/j.cub.2006.05.063. PMID 16890526.

External links

• Example video of how GVS works in practice