Devices and methods for treating stress and improving alertness using electrical stimulation

A method for mitigating stress by applying neural stimulations, the method comprising:

• placing at least one first electrode on, over, or adjacent to a first neural structure of a set of neural structures in or around the auricle, wherein each electrode of the at least one first electrode is placed against or at least partially into a respective tissue region on or surrounding an ear of a subject;
• placing at least one second electrode on, over or adjacent to a second neural structure of the set of neural structures, wherein each electrode of the at least one second electrode is placed against or at least partially into a respective tissue region on or surrounding the ear of the subject;
• delivering, via a controller, first therapeutic stimulation pulses via the at least one first electrode for mitigating stress and/or improving performance in stressful situations, wherein delivering the first therapeutic stimulation pulses comprises
• delivering a first series of stimulation pulses to the at least one first electrode, wherein the first series of stimulation pulses is configured to increase activity in one or more neural medullary structures, and
• delivering a second series of stimulation pulses to the at least one first electrode, wherein the second series of stimulation pulses is configured to increase activity in neural structures within the Trigeminocervical Complex (TCC);
• and
• delivering, via the controller, second therapeutic stimulation pulses via the at least one second electrode for decreasing pro-inflammatory processes of at least one target organ, wherein delivering the second therapeutic stimulation pulses comprises activating the celiac ganglion and/or parasympathetic ganglia;
• wherein the at least one first electrode is different than the at least one second electrode.