Effect of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) and Probiotic Supplementation in Overweight Adults

Comparing the Effectiveness of Transcranial Direct Stimulation (tDCS) and Probiotic Supplementation on Risky Decision-making, Impulsivity, Self-control, and Food Selection in Overweight Adults

The aim of the current study is to investigate and compare the effectiveness of probiotic supplementation and tDCS stimulation on risky decision-making related to food choices in overweight people. Considering the relatively established communication and interaction between the gut-brain-microbiome axis, the investigators expect that transcranial direct current stimulation and probiotic supplementation can both improve decision-making (decrease risky and impulsive decisions) and increase self-control in overweight people.

Inclusion Criteria:

• BMI over 25
• Higher than normal fat level

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pregnancy
• Breastfeeding
• Smoking more than 10 cigarettes a day
• Excessive consumption of alcohol
• Suffering from chronic cardiovascular and kidney diseases
• Chronic digestive diseases such as celiac disease,
• Chronic inflammatory bowel diseases such as colitis, intestinal surgery, cancer, etc.
• Suffering from acute and chronic diarrhea in the last one month
• Taking antibiotics in two months before the start of the study,
• Continuous use of prebiotic and probiotic products and drugs in one month before the start of the intervention
• Frequent use of antibiotics during the last month before the start of the intervention
• Taking weight loss medications and following a special slimming diet in the last 3 months before the intervention.
• History of epilepsy and seizures, stroke,
• Use of pacemaker
• Presence of metal implanted in the scalp or brain,
• Presence of skin lesions at the tDCS stimulation site, and history of head injury or brain surgery.
• Brain disorders and long-term and chronic use of neuropsychiatric drugs.