Effect of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) on Tobacco Consumption

The tDCS is a non-invasive neuromodulation method. A stimulator delivers a constant current of low intensity (1-2 mA) applied to the average of two bipolar electrodes placed on the scalp for 20 minutes. This constant current generates a static electric field that selectively modulates the activity of cortical neurones. A tingling sensation under the electrodes appears at the beginning and at the end of stimulation but it is transient and disappears quickly in 30 or 60 seconds.

The tDCS placebo differs from the real tDCS by the interruption of stimulation after 30 to 60 seconds and reactivation of this stimulation 30 to 60 seconds before the end of the session, which lasted 20 minutes. The tingling felt at the beginning and the end of the session will be the same as those experienced with real stimulation. The electrodes establishment does not differ with respect to tDCS.