General questions about Electric fields and how to manipulate/produce them.

[nukeman]

If my question is lacking something in terms of its validity, please let me know (I am not too seasoned in electric fields) :)

Here is the source of my question: http://phys.org/news198350025.html

Ok... The brain produces it own electric field, by firing neurons and the chemicals that produce activities in the brain (electrical).

So, as the article suggests, a electric field can interfere with the brains electric field.

I am trying to get a visual image of this. So, when the brain is doing something specific, and creating a certain electric field, is it possible to introduce a outside electric field that will interfere with the brains electric field?

If I was to do some activity, and measure my brains electrical field with a EEG... Then do the same type of activity, but within a different outside electric field (like If I was in a parallel plate capacitor), is that possible?

How does the outside electric field difference (like if I was inside a parallel plate cap), interfere with the brains electric field?

 

[Simon Bridge]

I am trying to get a visual image of this. So, when the brain is doing something specific, and creating a certain electric field, is it possible to introduce a outside electric field that will interfere with the brains electric field?

yes

If I was to do some activity, and measure my brains electrical field with a EEG... Then do the same type of activity, but within a different outside electric field (like If I was in a parallel plate capacitor), is that possible?

yes.

How does the outside electric field difference (like if I was inside a parallel plate cap), interfere with the brains electric field?

Electric fields from all sources add together to make the total electric field. Look up "superposition principle".

 

[nukeman]

Ok great.

You are saying that all electric fields add up to one electric force. Does that mean any outside electric field will be canceled out?

Mainly, are you saying that when I introduce an outside electric force, it will both add up to one electric force, but that conversion to one electric field will alter the brains electric field?

 

[AJ Bentley]

An electric field can certainly interfere with the human brain, if it's strong enough.

If you stick your head in a microwave oven, you'll find it quite capable of affecting you.Errr...I assume of course you're not that stupid.

 

[Simon Bridge]

Ok great.

You are saying that all electric fields add up to one electric force. Does that mean any outside electric field will be canceled out?

No. I am saying they all add up. This means that some will cancel and some will reinforce.

Mainly, are you saying that when I introduce an outside electric force, it will both add up to one electric force, but that conversion to one electric field will alter the brains electric field?

No - the brains electric field combines with all the other fields to make the total electric field.
However - outside fields could push charges around in the brain (as with anything) so the brain's electric field will be different from the case where there is no field.

I take it you are interested in stuff like external electric fields affecting other stuff like thoughts, emotions and moods? That's a lot more complicated and afaik nobody has been able to do anything much in that line.