San Diego neuroscientist says brain-buzzing device causes weight loss

Neurovalens just took first place in a big startup competition for its brain-manipulating wearable device Modius, which is used for weight loss. But does it work? (Gavin Millar/Neurovalens/TNS)

A San Diego entrepreneur just took first place in a big startup competition put on by all the University of California schools, winning judges over with its brain-manipulating wearable device used for weight loss. 

Neurovalens makes a headset (worn like headphones) that stimulates a region of the brain tied to appetite. Wearing the device for an hour per day is resulting in a 5% reduction in body fat for its users over three to four months, said the company's founder Jason McKeown, a visiting scholar at UC San Diego.