Compared to last year's Spring Festival, most folks probably had a better time this year. Not only was it joyful, but as expected, the pounds piled on steadily. We can only console ourselves that gaining weight is the only way to justify all the chicken, duck, and fish consumed during the holiday.
Gaining weight naturally calls for weight loss. As we all know, the two unbreakable rules of weight loss are dietary control and increased exercise. Many dieters report that controlling their diet is incredibly difficult, often leaving them teary-eyed with frustration. Recent research suggests that controlled electrical stimulation can help reduce appetite and aid weight loss. Let's dive into how this works.
Electrocute your little brain and actually lose weight?
A study published in the journal Appetite found that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can reduce appetite to some extent, leading to less food intake and weight loss.The study involved 38 women with a BMI between 30-35 kg/m². Before and after the TCDS sessions, participants underwent assessments of appetite, food intake, and weight, along with measurements of related gene expression.
The final results showed that as the number of treatment sessions increased, participants' appetite decreased significantly.Additionally, the effect was more pronounced in participants carrying the COMT Met allele. Those without this gene experienced increased hunger and appetite. Thus, for some individuals, stimulating the cerebellum can indeed yield certain weight loss benefits. At this point, many readers may be eager to try it. But hold on—this weight loss method isn't as straightforward as it seems.
Currently, electrical stimulation for weight loss is not recommended.
First, while cranial direct current stimulation can reduce appetite and aid weight loss in individuals with the COMT Met allele, the effect is nearly opposite for those without this gene.
Second, in obesity treatment, electrical stimulation for weight loss remains in the experimental phase and is far from commercialization. Additionally, whether electrical stimulation causes changes in brain function is still inconclusive.
In short, let the dust settle for now and wait and see. In fact, weight loss methods involving electricity are not uncommon on the market. Without further ado, here's a brief introduction.
Have you heard of these two electrical weight loss methods?
Electrical Weight Loss
Electrical weight loss, also known as electrical pulse fitness, was once incredibly popular. Users wear specialized workout suits embedded with electrode pads, claiming that 20 minutes of exercise in them equals an hour of regular exercise.
However, you not only need to wear the suit but also engage in proper exercise to potentially lose weight. In reality, the electrical stimulation only serves as an auxiliary effect—the key lies in the exercise itself. Online reviews for this weight loss method are mixed.
Electric Shock Helmet
Users wear a helmet equipped with sensors. The moment it detects the presence of food, it immediately delivers an electric shock to the face.The shock instantly suppresses the desire to eat. While it may seem absurd, it genuinely works by reducing food intake and calorie consumption. The biggest drawbacks are inconvenience and the painful shocks, making long-term use difficult. That's all for today! See you next time!