A device for stimulating at least one cranial nerve and/or spinal nerve is described. The device includes a vibratory motor, and an earpiece, wherein the earpiece is molded substantially to fit within the external ear canal and contacting the concha of a subject's ear. A method of reducing migraine headache and trigeminal neuropathy pain is also described. The method includes positioning a vibratory earpiece within an ear of a subject, applying vibrational energy to at least a portion of the skin of at least one of the auditory canal, auricle and concha of the ear, thereby stimulating at least one sensory fiber of at least one of cranial nerve 5, cranial nerve 7, cranial nerve 9, cranial nerve 10, spinal nerve C2, and spinal nerve C3. A method to normalize breathing, normalize blood pressure, induce sleep, increase salivation, and improve vertigo, nausea, and visual dysfunction accompanying migraine is also described.

Systems and related methods for delivering a stimulus to a pinna of a subject with a stimulator worn on the pinna are described. A wearable stimulation device includes a mechanical, electrical, or other type of stimulator secured to a pinna of a subject. The stimulation device may be used to deliver a stimulus that modulates activity of sensory nerve fiber innervating the pinna. Stimulation may be delivered in response to a sensed neural signal indicative of a physiological status of the subject, and/or in response to sensed environmental parameters. Stimulation may be delivered in combination with other stimuli or experiences. In an aspect, a stimulator communicates with and/or is controlled by a personal computing device.

The present invention relates to methods of treating or preventing addiction and relapse use of addictive agents and treating or preventing addictive or compulsive behavior and relapse practice of an addictive behavior or compulsion. The methods and compositions of the invention are useful in the treatment or prevention of addiction to any agent, including alcohol, nicotine, marijuana, cocaine, and amphetamines, as well as compulsive and addictive behaviors, including pathological gambling and pathological overeating.

A therapeutic device for treating one or more conditions associated with a user's nasal cavities, sinuses, and/or ear canals. The therapeutic device includes a vibration generator that includes an acoustic device configured to provide a sound. The therapeutic device further includes a seal that may be applied to a nasal interface of the user, the nasal interface being located around the nose and/or mouth of the user. The therapeutic device further includes a housing that the user may hold and that is connected to the vibration generator and the seal. The sound may be applied to the nasal interface of the user when the seal is applied to the nasal interface of the user.

An auricular peripheral nerve field stimulator system includes an electrical stimulation device for generating electrical stimulation signals and a plurality of therapy electrodes electrically coupled thereto, each of the therapy electrodes including at least one needle for percutaneous insertion into an auricle of a human ear near at least one neurovascular bundle located therein. At least one of the therapy electrodes includes a plurality of such needles for percutaneous insertion into the auricle near the at least one neurovascular bundle. In some embodiments, at least one reference electrode electrically is coupled to the electrical stimulation device and includes at least one needle for percutaneous insertion into or adjacent the auricle to provide a ground reference for the electrical stimulation device. The generated electrical stimulation signals are, in any case, delivered by the percutaneously inserted needles to stimulate at least one auricular peripheral nerve field within the auricle.

Systems and related methods for enhancing learning of a sound pattern or relating to a sound pattern are described. A sound output corresponding to the sound pattern is delivering to the subject, and a learning enhancing neural stimulus is delivered to a cranial nerve of the subject in association with the sound output. The neural stimulus may be, for example, a transcutaneous neural stimulus. In an aspect, the subject is prompted to mentally rehearse the sound pattern. Electrical control circuitry controls timing of delivery of sound outputs and neural stimuli. In some aspects, the system is implemented in connection with a personal computing device.

Systems and related methods for enhancing learning of an activity by a subject are described. A prompt for causing the subject to perform the activity is delivered repeatedly, in combination with a neural stimulus, with timing of delivery of prompts and neural stimuli controlled by electrical control circuitry. Neural stimuli are delivered with a transcutaneous neural stimulator located fitted in or on at least a portion of an ear of the subject. The system is implemented in connection with a personal computing device such as a smart phone or tablet computer.

Systems and related methods for controlling an ear stimulation device with a personal computing device, in response to determination of electrical contact of an electrode in a stimulator earpiece with an ear of a user of the personal computing device, are described. If the electrode is not in good electrical contact with the ear of the user, delivery of the stimulus is prevented and the user is notified of the status of the electrode. In various aspects, the user is instructed to reposition the earpiece or replace, clean, moisten, or apply gel to at least a portion of the electrode.

The invention provides a method and system for suppressing appetite. An illumination device such as a lamp or helmet is placed over the patient's head, the illumination device having a plurality of light sources in a fixed configuration selected to illuminate the patient's head with blue light having a wavelength in the range of 400 nm-495 nm. Concurrently with illuminating the patient's head with blue light, at least one acupuncture point on the patient is irradiated with coherent laser light having a wavelength ranging from 400 nm-2500 nm at a power level of 500 mw or less. The laser light may be supplied by a hand held wand, a face cover, and/or ear covers each having laser diodes held in contact with the respective acupuncture points.

The invention provides methods for treating a neurological disorder or deficit, such as tinnitus and phantom limb pain.