What is CES?

CES is the non-invasive application  of a very weak, pulsed electrical current (usually applied to the earlobes or scalp) successfully used and FDA-approved for depression, insomnia, and both situational and chronic anxiety. CES is also used to resolve pain, stress, poor memory, drug addictions and much more.    A safe, effective alternative to drugs – over 100 human and 20 animal studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of CES in treating these and other disorders. Lichtbroun, 2000; Kirsch & Smith, 2000; Thuile & Kirsch, 2000; Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation Research,

CES leaves the user in what psychologists call an alpha state.    Increased alpha-wave activity in the brain may also be achieved through such as meditation, relaxation, chanting, and hypnotherapy. After CES, people report that their bodies feel lighter, while their thinking is clearer and more creative.

CES stimulates the brain with specific therapeutic frequency patterns (it is NOT “Shock therapy”) using a frequency generator.   The electrical current used in CES is typically less than 1 mA (11,000 times less than the current needed to power a light bulb). The electromagnetic fields produced by the current used in CES are very similar to the electrical fields naturally present in the body.  CES has been an international treatment modality for more than 50 years. CES treatment for anxiety began in the Soviet Union during the 1950’s, its primary focus being the treatment of sleep disorders, hence its initial designation as “Electrosleep”.  Frequency generators are readily available for purchase and use at home (E.g.  SOTA Bio-Tuner™ (“Brain Tuner”), or Alpha-Stim AID™ device) .

CES is presently an under-utilized therapy.    We have been conditioned to believe that for every symptom or disease there is a solution in a pill. When it comes to treating anxiety, depression and insomnia, conventional medicine focuses on chemically manipulating neurotransmitter activity in the brain.  However, the brain and body are also electrical in nature. Electromedicine (including CES) is designed primarily to work with and impact the electrical nature of the body.

CES safety / side-effects

No major contraindications have been found using CES.   Either in the U.S. or other parts of the world.  With 50+ years of use, hundreds of research experiments, and hundreds of thousands of users, CES has been demonstrated to be 100% safe.

CES is relatively free of side effects

• Headache, skin irritation or vertigo, occurred in less than 1% of subjects and were temporary
• In contrast, side effects and addiction of medicines are not uncommon.   Anti-anxiety drugs often leave the patient in a stupor.

How does CES work?

The exact physiological mechanism by which CES works is not fully understood (and is still the subject of research study)

“The cells in your body constantly draw energy from the brain and the Earth’s electromagnetic field in an effort to achieve what is called “magnetic resonance.” Magnetic resonance occurs when the magnetic frequency in your brain matches a harmonic of the frequencies of the other organs and body tissues.This normally occurs for only brief periods during sleep. During these periods, your body’s ability to heal and repair itself, create enzymes, and boost immunity is enhanced”.

– Dr. David Williams, Alternatives, March 2004

It appears that CES influences areas of the brain called the thalamus, hypothalamus and the reticular activating system (the part of the brain believed to be the center of arousal and motivation).  Brotman et al, 1989; Gibson & O’Hair, 1987; Madden & Kirsch, 1987. 42- 46% of the applied CES current enters the brain, with the highest levels of current recorded in the thalamus Rush &Driscoll, 1968; Jarzembski & Sances, 1970

CES via electrodes placed over the ear lobes stimulate afferent branches of cranial nerves.   E.g.  facial nerve , glossopharyngeal nerve and vagus nerve. Sharma & Sarkar, 2018 

Specific electronic frequencies appear to stimulate the brain to manufacture and rebalance certain brain neurotransmitter chemicals, such as endorphins, SEROTONIN, DOPAMINE, NOREPINEPHRINE, and CORTISOL etc.   These may be involved in many stress related conditions. This can affect ones moods and emotions as well as ones cognitive capabilities. Shealy et al, 1998

What does CES therapy do in the body?

CES substantially reduces muscle tension.   As shown by EMG recordings. There are reports of changes in heart, blood pressure, galvanic skin responses and increased peripheral temperature, consistent with positive autonomic effects, which maintain homeostasis in the body. (Heffernan 1995)CES seems to stimulate the vagus nerve.  Producing a state of parasympathetic nervous system dominance, a system which has a general calming effect on the body. This is certainly consistent with the effects observed with CES.

CES normalizes the body’s electrical fields that are disturbed with injury or pain.     This has been measured on EEG (brain wave tracing). For example, people with moderate to severe pain from osteoarthritis (degenerative joint disease) are found to have ABNORMAL brain wave activity. After 5 minutes of CES treatment, brain waves were virtually normal, and pain was reduced by more than 50%. It has been found that individuals whose brain waves improved the most had the greatest pain relief. Heffernan, 1997

It is postulated that CES restores normal electromagnetic communication between cells.   This may have the effect of regulating cellular differentiation, tissue repair, and immune system function.

For Those who would like more details on CES

References

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3381625/

Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation Research, The American Institute of Stress

Brotman, Philip (1989). Low-intensity transcranial electrostimulation improves the efficacy of thermal biofeedback and quieting reflex training in the treatment of classical migraine headache. American Journal of Electromedicine, 6(5):120-123, Doctoral dissertation, City University Los Angeles, 117 pages, 1986. pdf

Gibson, TH & O’Hair, DE,  (1987); Cranial Application of Low-Level transcranial electrotherapy vs. relaxation instruction in anxious patients; Am. J. of Electromedicine 4(1), 18-21.

Heffernan M., (1995) “The effect of a single cranial electrotherapy stimulation on multiple stress measures”, The Townsends Letter for Doctors and Patients

Heffernan M, (1997) “The Effects of variable microcurrents on EEG spectrum ans pain control”, Canadian J. of Clin. Medicine.

Jarzembski W, Sances AJ (1970) Evaluation of specific cerebral impedance and cerebral current density. Ann NY Acad Sci 170: 476- 490.

Kirsch DL, Smith DB. (2000) The use of cranial electrotherapy stimulation in the management of chronic pain: A review. NeuroRehabilitation 14(2):85-94 PubMed

Lichtbroun, Alan S., Raicer, Mei-Ming C., and Smith, Ray B. The Treatment of Fibromyalgia with Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation.  Journal of Clinical Rheumatology, 7(2):72-78, 2001. Presented at the Fifteenth Annual International Symposium on Acupuncture and Electro-Therapeutics, Columbia University, New York, October 1999.

Madden, RE, Kirsch DL, (1987, Apr) Low intensity electrostimulation improves human learning of a psychomotor task. American Journal of Electromedicine, 4(2):41-45, 1987. Doctoral dissertation, City University Los Angeles, 95 pages, 1987. Presented at The New Brain Technologies and Accelerated Learning Conference at the University of Hawaii. pdf

Rush S, Driscoll DA (1968) Current distribution in the brain from surface electrodes. Anesth Analg Curr Res 47(6): 717-723.

Sharma K, Sarkar A. (2018) Effects of Cranial Electrical Stimulation on Brain – A Brief Review. Anatomy Physiol Biochem Int J.  5(2): 555659.

Shealy et al, (1998) “Cerebrospinal fluid and plasma neurochemicals:response to CES”, J. of Neurological and Orthopedic Medicine and Surgery.

Thuile C, Kirsch DL (2000) Schnerzen Linden Ohne Chennie CES ,die Revolution in der Schnerztherapie. Internationale Arzfegesellschaft fur Energiemedizin, Austria, (in German).