Van der Groen and colleagues link sensory experiences and learning outcomes. They share that “Transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS) is a non-invasive electrical brain stimulation method that is increasingly employed in studies of human brain function and behavior, in health and disease. tRNS is effective in modulating perception acutely and can improve learning. . . . Prolonged stimulation with tRNS, either as one longer application, or multiple shorter applications, may engage plasticity mechanisms that can result in long-term benefits.” The researchers suggest that although we often try to find quiet places to study, certain sorts of noise may boost our ability to learn.
Onno van der Groen, Weronika Potok, Nicole Wenderoth, Grace Edwards, Jason Mattingley, and Dylan Edwards. 2022. “Using Noise for the Better: The Effects of Transcranial Random Noise Stimulation on the Brain and Behavior.” Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, vol. 138, 104702, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104702