Humm unveils wearable that stimulates your brain to improve memory

Humm has announced a wearable that provides you with “neurostimulation” that you wear for 15 minutes a day to improve your memory.

The Berkeley, California-based company said it measured a 20% improvement in working memory and a rate of learning that was 120 times faster than a placebo after a 15-minute session with the wearable patch.

The hope is to help people continue to learn and grow throughout their lives. I tried out an early version last year in the hopes of getting better at playing games. Sadly, it wasn’t something that I could measure.

You wear the neurostimulation device on your forehead, and it provides a mild electrical stimulation called tACS that has been investigated for 30 years.

The company has adapted this technology into a new lightweight and comfortable form factor, at a price that makes it accessible to almost anyone — comparable to the price of a cup of coffee.

Unlike other devices designed for sleep or sports performance enhancement, which may cost as much as $10,000 for a lab research model or $500 for consumer versions, the new easy-to-use Humm patches are available for about $5 each, making it extremely easy for people to simply give it a try rather than committing to an expensive investment in a complicated device.

Humm is targeted at people 40-plus who are studying, reading unfamiliar material, or learning new skills.