E-stim overview

E-stim, or "Electrical Stimulation", is the direct application of electricity to the human body for the purposes of causing sensation and possibly other effects. In the current medical community, e-stim is most known for its application via a "TENS" device -- "transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation" -- for the dual purposes of relieving pain and reducing muscle atrophy. This means that a medical-grade TENS device is a "medical device" and can only be distributed by or on the written order of a physician.

However, we're not here for the medical stuff. We're here to help ourselves get off -- and there is plenty of opportunity for that with this technology as well.

There are two basic types of E-stim: violet wand and transcutaneous. (Many people refer to the transcutaneous type as being "e-stim", and dismiss the violet wand.)

Violet wand is the application of high-frequency, high-voltage, low-amperage electricity to the skin. It is called "violet" because the wavelength of visible light that it generates is violet in color -- and it feels, when applied, like a continuous static shock. The high frequency causes it to not penetrate the skin (as long as the skin is not broken), and the low amperage causes it to be less damaging. ("Volts hurt, amps kill")

Transcutaneous is the application of electrodes to the body in order to run current through the body. The voltage level is generally lower, which means that the amperage is correspondingly higher. This type can be MUCH more dangerous, especially if the current is run through the head, neck, or heart. Thus, it must be warned: DO NOT DO THIS UNLESS YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING. YOU CAN DIE FROM IT EVEN IF YOU DO KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING. Current paths in the body are not like single wires. Because the entire body has different resistances, current will go pretty much anywhere it wants -- while the main path of the current will tend to stay in a more or less direct line, the rest will spread out akin to a magnetic field.

Because of the potential for damage, and the potential for death, it must be said: FIND OUT ALL YOU CAN, NOT ONLY FROM THIS WIKI BUT ALSO FROM OTHER EXPERTS. WE CANNOT TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR HEART ATTACKS, MEMORY LOSS, DEATH, OR ANY OTHER OUTCOME. IF YOU BUILD IT AND USE IT, YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN.