And if a mild electrical current applied directly to your brain could boost your ability with numbers, it sounds like a crazy experiment a crazy experiment, but it's not. A new study indicates that small, painless, non-invasive brain shocks can literally unlock the potential of struggling brains.

Remember that this is a serious investigation, do not put your finger in the socket because you are not going to become smarter, you are only going to confirm your low IQ.

Researchers from the University of Surrey tested a brain stimulation method called TRNS, transcranial random noise stimulation on 72 university students between 18 and 30 years old. The technique consists of using electrodes on the scalp that send extremely soft electrical signals to specific regions of the brain. The targets were the prefrontal cortex, dorsolateral and posterior parietal cortex, areas related to memory, attention and logical reasoning, and of course, mathematics.

For 5 days, the volunteers received 150 minutes of electrical stimulation while they solved mathematical tests. The results surprised even the scientists themselves; the secret lies in the delicacy of the stimulus. The electrical current does not force the neurons to work; instead, it acts as a nudge, slightly raising the activity of neurons that naturally function at a slower rate.

TRNS is considered safe, which makes it very different from procedures such as electroconvulsive therapy, here there are no risks of seizures, memory blackouts or any uncomfortable sensations, now think about the potential of this on a global level, in developed countries, almost 30% of the adult population has mathematical skills equivalent to those of a 7-year-old child.

The lack of mastery of mathematics affects careers, salaries and access to strategic areas such as science, engineering, technology and finance, of course, there is still much to investigate, the TRNs works better in brains with less natural connectivity, which raises ethical questions. Should we stimulate all brains in the same way? There is a safe limit to this type of intervention and what can be said about its use outside the academic environment such as in contests, admission exams or even in mental sports.