Twitch streamer uses electrodes to manipulate balance using electricity — can be used to control a real-life human being with an Xbox controller or joystick, simulate racing game G-force

A Twitch Streamer and creator has revealed a probably extremely dangerous balance "hack," attaching electrodes behind her ears to pass a current through her head. The sensation, galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS), uses electrical signals to affect a person's balance. As such, it can be used to simulate G-force in racing games, or perhaps more interestingly, to control the direction and movements real-life human being with a joystick or Xbox controller.

In her first test, she tried to run in a straight line while her companion manipulated the left joystick, causing her to lean in the direction of the joystick, effectively changing her direction. She then connected it to a racing game, simulating the g-forces that one should feel when driving. However, using this device is not without its risks — Karyal noted seeing flashing lights while playing Trackmania. After her GVS gaming session, she said that she had a headache and had started to feel hot after using it. She also described her vision as “buzzy”.

It goes without saying that you should not try this at home.

“Don’t do this. Don’t build this. Don’t make this. I do not approve of anyone making this themselves,” the creator said in her Instagram video. “I don’t condone that behavior; it’s incredibly dangerous and I’m not liable!”

This isn’t the first time that a person has used a GVS device with a game. In fact, we have a Reddit post from 2021 showing u/yahma driving with this attached to his head. He would lean towards the direction that the in-game car would turn, and when it tumbled over the side of the ride, the Redditor also went tumbling off his seat.

Doctors and scientists have been studying GVS since the 1990s, but it still isn’t widely used in routine medical treatment. Still, there are some clinical studies looking at it to see how it can be used to treat conditions relating to balance and other therapeutic applications. But, as the creator said, you shouldn’t try building this yourself, as we still don’t know the long-term effects of using GVS on your head.

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