Brain zaps may sharpen memory – scientists test the idea

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * 18 years and older * Fluent in English * Normal or corrected-to-normal vision * Willing to be photographed Exclusion Criteria: * Must not have ever had an injury to the head that's caused you to be knocked out for a period of time (e.g., from a fall, blow to the head, road traffic accident). * Must not have an uncorrected vision or physical disability that interferes with your ability to see stimuli presented briefly on a computer screen or click a mouse button rapidly. * Must not have a history of epilepsy, convulsions, or seizures (except childhood febrile seizures). * Must not have a history of fainting or syncope. * For female participants, they must not be pregnant and/or must not think they might be pregnant. * Must not have skin problems like eczema, dermatitis, or open wounds on the scalp. * Must not have had prior brain surgery. * Must not have any metal located in the head/neck (except for dental work i.e., braces, permanent retainers, etc.) * Must not have any devices or other implants located in/near their head. This includes cochlear implants and aneurysm clips, cardiac pacemaker, or any other implanted electronic device. * Must not have a current (active) alcohol or substance use disorder, must have no recent history of withdrawal symptoms, and must be able to safely abstain from alcohol and non-prescribed/illicit drugs for at least 24 hours before the session. * Must not have any alcohol on the day of the session, must limit alcohol consumption to no more than 2 drinks (if legally permitted) in the prior 24 hours, and must not use any non-prescribed or illicit drugs in the 24 hours before the session. * Must not be sick with a fever, sleep-deprived, or feel dizzy, unwell, or intoxicated. * Must also have eaten and had fluids but not have consumed more caffeine than they typically consume. * Must not be taking anticonvulsant/anti-epileptic drugs or have ever taken them within their lifetime. * Must not be taking benzodiazepines or have taken them within the past 3 months. * Must not have had a recent change (start, stop, dose change) for any psychiatric/psychotropic medications within the past 3 months. * Must not be taking Bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban), Tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline, imipramine, clomipramine, etc.), Antipsychotics (clozapine; chlorpromazine, haloperidol, etc.), or Tramadol or have taken them within the past 3 months. * Must not have experienced cardiac problems, fibrillation, or have taken medications associated with cardiac conditions within the past 3 months. * Must not meet the diagnostic threshold for Autism Spectrum Disorder, Intellectual Disability, or Psychotic Disorders.