ABSTRACT
The past two decades have seen a marked increase in commercially available products for enhancing mental performance. These approaches are largely device-driven and capitalize on advanced technologies enabling both direct and indirect stimulation of the brain and cranial nerves to influence a range of neural processes, including attention, learning, memory, arousal, and mood. Elite performers – collegiate and professional athletes, military Special Operation Forces (SOF) personnel, corporate top performers, and first responders – are early adopters and keen consumers of products that can help them achieve and sustain peak mental and physical performance, and more rapidly restore mental fitness after training, deployment, or injuries. It is not surprising then that these individuals are often targeted by product developers and sales representatives, even in cases where empirical investigations related to product efficacy, safety, or health impacts are lacking. This chapter provides an overview of the currently available neurostimulation tools and technologies, as well as considerations for selection and utilization of these approaches based on the current scientific evidence base.
