Could this scientifically advanced cream be the fastest route to learning guitar?

Man playing electric guitar with tongue stuck out
(Image credit: Future)

Scientists are claiming a new cream can help people learn to speak new languages – and also play musical instruments like the electric guitar.

According to an article in The Mirror, the team behind 'neurohacking' cream dihexa, developed by experts at Washington State University to fight Alzheimer's disease, made the claim.

Dihexa, which is current available in the US, combats Alzheimer’s by “slowing cell death and suppressing enzymes which wipe out chemicals used for memory and learning.”

If you’re learning to play the guitar or something, it’s really good for creating that kind of mental response

Dr Daniel Stickler

And, just maybe, help people learn to play guitar faster.

In an interview with the Telegraph, Dr Daniel Stickler, who represents biotech company Apeiron, said that in the US, "We have a very large percentage of people who think, 'I know I'm good but I want to get better.'

“If you’re learning to play the guitar or something, it’s really good for creating that kind of mental response."

So far, trials have shown the drug - which is set to go on sale within five years - can improve concentration, mood and memory - although we'd say just learning the guitar has a similar effect.

Thank you for reading 5 articles this month**

Join now for unlimited access

US pricing $3.99 per month or $39.00 per year

UK pricing £2.99 per month or £29.00 per year 

Europe pricing €3.49 per month or €34.00 per year

*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription

Join now for unlimited access

Prices from £2.99/$3.99/€3.49

Richard Bienstock

Rich is the co-author of the best-selling Nöthin' But a Good Time: The Uncensored History of the '80s Hard Rock Explosion. He is also a recording and performing musician, and a former editor of Guitar World magazine and executive editor of Guitar Aficionado magazine. He has authored several additional books, among them Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck, the companion to the documentary of the same name.