How you wish you could just plug-in your brain to something like “The Matrix” and gain the knowledge and skills to have an advantage over your enemies. Whilst the technology seems to look feasible, it is still a long way off to become a reality. For one of the world’s most elite units, being able to stimulate the brain to improve physical and mental performance is one of its objectives.

The U.S. Navy SEALs are turning to a headset for that purpose.

It’s no ordinary headset where you can tune out the world and concentrate in appreciating the music. The Halo Neuroscience headset can play music but what is more important are the silicon nibs that are on the band called the “neuroprimers”. These apply a mild electric field to the brain’s motor cortex and induce a state of “hyperplasticity”, which is a more rapid way for the brain to fine tune itself --- telling the muscles how to make the complex movements required, when training or doing any physical activity. Being in the state of hyperplasticity, better results happen from each practice rep such as training to increased endurance, improve shooting performance and strength.

According to a report on Military.com, a small group of volunteers began to test and evaluate neuro-stimulation technology if it can assist in achieving higher performance.  One of those involved are those from the Naval Special Warfare Develop Group (DEVGRU), or more popularly known nowadays as SEAL Team Six. The spokesman for the Naval Special Warfare Command,  Capt. Jason Salata, says the initial results show promising signs.

Photo: A U.S. Navy SEAL At Stennis Space Center (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class John Scorza)

The aim is to make training shorter and more efficient for the members of the elite unit who are already at their peak performance or train at the same level and get a boost in performance. If the Halo Neurosciece headset can be provide that, then soldiers are able to avoid performance enhancing pharmaceutical products that may produce certain side effects in the long run. Lab tests of the headset have shown it to be safe so far.

Athletes are already using the sports configuration of the Halo Neuroscience headset. Called the Halo Sport, the headset is paired with an app installed on a mobile device via Bluetooth. The athlete wets the primers and put on the Halo Sport headset to begin a 20-minute neuropriming session with the Halo Sport playing an audio cue when the session is complete.

For airsoft players wanting to try out the headset for performance enhancement for airsoft games and milsim events, or even other sports that they are involved in, they can purchase the Halo Sport from the Halo Neuroscience website for US$749.

Top Photo: U.S. Navy SEALs in winter warfare exercise (U.S. Navy Photo by Visual Information Specialist Chris Desmond)