The world of medicine and treatment therapies continues to expand and include options that were not even possible to consider even a decade ago. One of the latest in technologies is the use of electroceuticals, a bioelectronic treatment option for a wide range of conditions and body system support.
Examples of electroceuticals that are the classic and well-known options include pacemakers and cochlear implants, where small electronic components are implanted into the body to control a specific organ or function.
Understanding the Concept
Today’s options in these devices are also much smaller and can be used for a more general type of medical benefit. These include implants that can be used to stimulate specific nerves to help to manage the progression of arthritis or prevent specific neurological conditions from impacting the life of the patient. Research shows this same technology can be effective in moderating appetite or to speed up or slow down the autoimmune system to regulate autoimmune diseases.
One of the challenges that this form of medicine faces is the ability to reach the public and help them to understand the benefits. In western medication, it is more common to move to treatment therapies that include medications rather than a device that changes the electrochemical systems in the body.
Harnessing Body Control
In addition to providing education about the benefits of internal system controls without the need for medications, electroceuticals also face a challenge in not being fully understood by researchers. It is easy to see the result of using the controlled electrical stimulation of muscles and nerves, but the specific mechanisms of why and how it works at a cellular level are not fully understood.
There is also a need for long-term research on the impact of this type of regulation of the body systems, particularly that of the autonomous nervous system. The specific ability to fine-tune the device to the individual, concerns with security in the transmission of data from the device to the exterior control systems, as well as ongoing research into a wide range of applications of this treatment option continues even as the technology evolves.
