Brain zaps at the right moment may change how you approach or avoid

NCT ID NCT05416138

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tested whether delivering magnetic pulses to the brain at specific moments in your brain's natural rhythm can influence how quickly you approach or avoid things. 26 healthy adults received brain stimulation while doing a computer task. The goal was to see if the timing of the pulse (at the peak or trough of a brain wave) changes reaction times.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) timed to brain wave peaks or troughs

What this could lead to

If successful, this could help us understand how brain rhythms influence decision-making and behavior, potentially guiding future treatments for mental health conditions.

What could go wrong

This is a very small, early-stage study in healthy adults, not a treatment trial. The results may not apply to real-world behavior or clinical populations.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • University of Minnesota

    Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55455, United States