Could magnets make the mind grow stronger? In mice at least, stimulating the brain with a magnetic coil appears to promote the growth of new neurons in areas associated with learning and memory. If the effect is confirmed in humans, it might open up new ways of treating age-related memory decline and diseases like Alzheimer's.Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has been used experimentally to treat a range of brain disorders, including depression and schizophrenia, and to rehabilitate people after a stroke. TMS uses a magnetic coil to induce electric fields in the brain tissue - activating or deactivating groups of neurons, although the exact mechanism has remained unknown. One theory was that it aided learning and memory by strengthening brain circuits through a process called long-term potentiation (LTP).

To investigate, Fortunato Battaglia at the City University of New York and his colleagues gave mice TMS for five days, then analysed their brains for evidence of LTP or cell proliferation.They confirmed that TMS enhanced LTP in all areas of the brain tested, by modifying key glutamate receptors so that they stayed active for longer. The team also saw large increases in the proliferation of stem cells in the dentate gyrus hippocampus. These cells divide throughout life and are now believed to play a crucial role in memory and mood regulation.

View: Full Article | Source: New Scientist

Oh, can you imagine? No drugs, just a magnet? Innovations like this really make me excited for our future.

i used to stick my head in between 2 speakers, does this count? makes sense because its magnetic.

OH ffs.... are we talking electro-magents here ?

People have bought lawsuites against power companies because of the 'rays' from overhead pylons (e.g. electromagentic fields).

And now it's healthy ?

Will the power companies get their money back ?

Meow Purr.

My Wife and I have been using magnets to relieve pain caused by rheumatic problems for ages and they work,

Every once in a while I have MRI's, I hate the things. (Yes I have a brain. I have the pictures to prove it.) The machine makes my muscles spas. Last time they had to tie me up so I wouldn't move. When I am done I can barely walk. I don't think they know all that electro-magnetic energy does to the brain or nerves. I don't think it makes me any smarter. I wouldn't want to live under high tension wires.

Look at Magneto, he seems swell...LOL

i predict huge sales in refrigerator magnets

But hasnt magnets having beneficial propertis for you health been around for a very long time?

We did something about that in Ancient last year...and you can certainly get those magnetic bracelets.

Actually as a matter of fact, I saw blankets with magnets in them at work the other day as well.
For medicinal purposes, they said.
But they weren't to be used by anyone who had either a pacemaker, on an insulin pump.
That counts me out then.

What about all those people who wear magnetic earings?

So, can I run my own tests using homemade objects?

Hmmm... we should be careful to distinguish Magnetism from Electro-Magentism. Despite the similarity in name, these are somewhat different beasts.

The original story reffers to a 'magnetic coil' ... that IMPLIES an electromagnet. Other posters here have been reffering to natural magnets. (e.g. fridge magnets etc).

You can tell if it's a natural magnet - it doesn't need electricity.

Meow Purr.

Aaaah Ok.
Whoopsies, my bad.

An electromagnet and electromagnetism are also different things.

An electromagnet only produces a magnetic field when induced by the flow of electric charge, but the field is the same as one produced by any permanent magnet.

An electromagnetic field is one with both electric and magnetic components.

Sure, why not. Let us know how that pans out for you.

go and buy big magnet and use it as pillow . let me know if you getting smarter or not