It’s believed that about 20 percent of the population struggles with math to such a degree that it affects their ability to cope with everyday tasks such as managing money. Some kids are able to do math with a mental abacus. But for the rest of us, scientists found that a mild electrical shock to the brain increased a person’s ability to learn and retain basic mathematical skills. The boost in mathematical ability lasted at least six months, although it didn’t produce any Albert Einsteins. However, scientists are now experimenting with actual “thinking caps” to see if electrical stimulation of the brain will help general learning and memory.