The Pentagon Wants To Shock Soldier's Brains To Keep Them Alert During Combat

The Air Force Research Laboratory is researching the use of electrical stimulation to increase troops’ alertness and cognitive ability. Guns.com

Pentagon Considers Using Electricity To Stimulate Troops’ Brains -- Boston Globe

WASHINGTON — For some modern soldiers, caffeine is just not enough to stay vigilant, especially for the growing ranks of digital warriors who must spend hours monitoring spy drone footage and other streams of surveillance data.

So the Pentagon is exploring a novel way to extend troops’ attention spans and sharpen their reaction times: stimulate the brain with low levels of electricity.

It sounds like science fiction, but commanders in search of more effective tools than the ubiquitous cups of coffee and energy drinks are testing medical treatments designed to treat such brain disorders as depression to determine whether they can also improve the attentiveness of sleepdeprived but otherwise healthy troops.

Read more ....

More News On Reports That The Pentagon Wants To Shock Soldier's Brains To Keep Them Alert During Combat

The shock troops: U.S. military trials ELECTRIC PULSES to keep soldiers alert during combat -- Daily Mail
The Pentagon is Trying to Replace Coffee with Electric Brain Stimulation -- Slate
Military to use low levels of electricity to stimulate troops’ brains -- Guns.com
Shock the Brain vs. Coffee? Pentagon Studies Ways to Keep Soldiers Sharp -- Newsmax
Pentagon Wants to Use Electroshock Therapy on Sleepy Drone Operators -- Policy Mic

My Comment: I prefer to take my coffee or energy drink instead.

Did Ambien Kill Four Air Force Special Operators Returning From A Spy Mission?

Air Force

Too Tired to Fly? -- Mark Thompson, Battleland

Did Ambien kill four Air Force special operators returning from a classified five-hour spy-plane mission in February?

The four – two special-ops pilots and two sensor operators – were aboard a perfectly-functioning Air Force aircraft as it prepared for a night-time landing at Ambouli International Airport in Djibouti, Africa.

On final approach, the aircraft, call sign Ratchet 33, entered an ever-steepening, ever faster dive, despite audible warnings:

Read more ....

My Comment: I have lost count on how many stories that I have posted in this blog on the impact that drugs/stimulants/etc. may have on soldiers who use them to stay "sharp". This is unfortunately one more example on why more work and research needs to be done on a problem that just keeps on going.

Developing Drugs To Enhance Soldier Effectiveness Continues

How Dementia Drugs Could Be Used By The Military -- The Guardian

Army leaders in various countries have trialled compounds that can keep soldiers awake and alert – or send them to sleep

Drugs that reduce anxiety, tiredness and memory loss – all associated with the treatment of dementia – could be used "off-label" as cognitive enhancers by military personnel, according to a Royal Society report.

While caffeine and nicotine are used routinely to reduce fatigue and improve attention, British armed forces prohibit other stimulants in training or on operations. The US air force still allows amphetamines in some cases, such as where single or two-seater aircraft are involved.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: Some are going even further than providing stimulants to soldiers .... believing that neuroscience is the next step in enhancing soldier capabilities and effectiveness.