Abstract: An electrode for providing TCET, especially via the earlobes of the patient, comprises an electrical conductor for application to the skin, connected to a lead for supplying the TCET signal from a signal generating device, characterized in that the conductor comprises a generally conical needle point capable of penetrating the epidermis so as to provide good electrical contact over a very small area. The electrode can be used in the impedance of less than 100 k.OMEGA.; and with apparatus for generating an electrical signal for use in TCET, adapted to provide a signal at a current of less than 200 .mu.A (0.2 mA), especially when adapted to provide an AC signal in which each positive pulse is relatively short and high without being spiked and the following negative pulse is relatively wide and low, the total amount of positive and negative charge being balanced. Methods of providing TCET treatment to patients using the electrode and apparatus are also provided.

Abstract: A method of applying an electrical signal transcranially includes the steps of generating a series of signal trains and applying the signal trains across the head of a subject, wherein each of the trains comprises a number of pulses and is separated from other trains by off periods, during which the signal is not applied. The signal trains are of such short duration that substantially no nerves within the subject's brain that receive the signal trains are demyelinized. In certain embodiments, the signal trains and the off periods are of irregular duration such that the activation of nerves of the brain by a signal is of a substantially continuous rate as the application of the signal train proceeds. The invention also includes particular characteristics of signals used to treat respective afflictions, including drug addictions and habituations, appetite disturbances, stress, insomnia, and pain.