Method and system for altering body mass composition using galvanic vestibular stimulation

1. A method for altering body mass composition in a human subject in need thereof, the method comprising:

disposing electrodes at the subject's scalp at a location corresponding to each of the subject's left and right vestibular systems;

connecting the electrodes to an electrical current source configured to generate an alternating polarity current for delivery to each of the subject's left and right vestibular systems;

activating the electrical current source to administer galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS) to the subject for a predetermined treatment period, wherein the GVS is configured to induce an increase in fat metabolism relative to a baseline level during the treatment period; and

repeating disposing, connecting and activating for a plurality of additional treatment periods to induce alteration of body mass composition in the human subject.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein alteration of body mass composition treats at least one of diabetes, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, obesity, osteoporosis, and an obesity-related disease.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein alteration of body mass composition comprises one or a combination of decreasing total body fat, increasing relative percentage lean muscle mass, and increasing bone mineral density.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the alternating polarity current has a frequency of approximately 0.5 Hz with an approximately 50 percent duty cycle.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the alternating polarity current comprises a square wave.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the electrical current source further comprises a feedback circuit configured to measure resistance across the subject's scalp and adjust a voltage output of the electrical current source to maintain a constant current.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the increase in fat metabolism relative to a baseline further increases for a post-treatment period after the treatment period.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the post-treatment period is at least 30 minutes.

9. A method for treating a human subject who is overweight, obese, or has an obesity-related condition comprising one or more of diabetes, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and osteoporosis, the method comprising:

disposing electrodes at the subject's scalp at a location corresponding to each of the subject's left and right vestibular systems;

connecting the electrodes to an electrical current source configured to generate an alternating polarity current for delivery to each of the subject's left and right vestibular systems, wherein the alternating polarity current has a frequency of approximately 0.5 Hz with an approximately 50 percent duty cycle;

activating the electrical current source to administer galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS) to the subject for a predetermined treatment period, wherein the GVS is configured to induce an increase in fat metabolism relative to a baseline level during the treatment period; and

repeating disposing, connecting and activating for a plurality of additional treatment periods to induce alteration of body mass composition in the human subject.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the alternating polarity current comprises a square wave.

11. The method of claim 9 , wherein the electrical current source further comprises a feedback circuit configured to measure resistance across the subject's scalp and adjust a voltage output of the electrical current source to maintain a constant current.

12. The method of claim 9 , wherein the increase in fat metabolism relative to a baseline further increases for a post-treatment period after the treatment period.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the post-treatment period is at least 30 minutes.