Deep brain stimulation (DBS) – an experimental technology – implanting a device (like a pacemaker) into the patient’s brain to transmit electrical impulses – is the subject of heated debate among medical professionals. This is a rather risky procedure, all the consequences of which for the
human brain are not yet fully understood.
Some practitioners believe that this is a good way to alleviate symptoms of depression or even help treat Alzheimer’s disease. The new study also offers hope that deep brain stimulation may help treat drug addiction.
For the first time in the world, according to the Associated Press, a patient at Shanghai’s Ruijin Hospital has had a device implanted in the brain to treat methamphetamine addiction. According to the patient, the operation of the device brought a positive effect. In an interview with The Associated Press, he noted that this device can be configured to make you happy or nervous.
Other Chinese studies in this area (attempts to treat opioid addiction with DBS) have had mixed results, the AP notes. In the United States, at least two studies targeting the treatment of alcoholism with DBS have been put on hold because the risks are too high.
The idea of using DBS to treat drug addiction https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Addiction has raised concerns in medical circles around the world, and not just because of the high risk of cerebral hemorrhage, seizures, infections, or personality changes. Some researchers argue that the possibility of treating drug addiction with the help of technical devices is still poorly understood and requires further study. Animal studies have shown some indication of its effectiveness, but conclusive evidence is not yet available.