Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) are non-invasive, painless brain stimulations that use electrical currents to stimulate specific parts of the brain. With tDCS a constant, low-intensity current, powered by a nine-volt battery, is passed through two electrodes placed above the head which modulates neuronal activity. Transcranial direct current has two types of stimulation: anodic and cathodic. Anodal stimulation excites neuronal activity while cathodal stimulation inhibits or reduces neuronal activity. TMS is similar to tDCS, but uses an isolated electromagnetic coil that passes a pulse of current through the skull to stimulate neural activity (John Hopkins University). Transcranial direct current stimulation and transcranial magnetic stimulation have been the subject of numerous studies regarding their possible cognitive effects. effects. “One of the proposed mechanisms of action for neuromodulatory techniques, such as TMS and tDCS, is [the] induction of phenomena similar to long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD)” (Brasil-Neto, 2012). Some of the most vital neurobiological processes for memory and learning require LTP and LTD. “This fact led to an immediate interest in studying the possible effects of tDCS on memory consolidation, retrieval or learning of various tasks” (Brasil-Neto, 2012). Michael Weisach, of the Mind Research Network for Neurodiagnostic Discovery, has been working with the United States Air Force on tDCS to improve soldiers' mental training. His findings were very promising. Weisach subjected experienced soldiers to fMRI to find out which areas of the brain are activated during a test of recognizing enemy assets from unmanned aerial vehicles... middle of paper... perfect. Researchers have shown that tDCS sensitizes the cortex to the neuroplastic effects of rTMS, resulting in long-lasting aftereffects (Nelson,10). TMS and tDCS could be a revolutionary new tool. When a certain action is performed over and over again, over time more neurons fire in the area associated with that activity. tDCS activates more neurons in the area it is directed at. When a task is performed by stimulating a specific area, it can amount to performing a task many more times than it is actually physically performed. If other forms of memory-enhancing techniques such as the method of loci (memory palace), the master system, and other mnemonic devices were simultaneously included, it could be assumed that the consolidation of these memories would also be improved. Further studies and experiments are and will be done; the future of tDCS and TMS looks very bright.